January 18, 2024 - Nose of earthy stank (good) hint of blackberry and cassis, dry cobbled riverbed in summer during a stressful paintball match, hints of grandma’s kitchen, small rock gifted from that childhood crush who never loved you the way you loved them. Don’t miss this wine, but please tell me you didn’t drink it too soon. Definitely one of the best Cabernets I’ve ever had. So elegant, so delicate. Few things can compare.
March 29, 2023 - Fantastic cab that is still distinctly on the upswing. I'm guessing that in another 5-10 years, this will be firmly in the outstanding range. A far darker profile (lead, dark soil, tobacco, raw cacao, lean dark fruits) than typical California cab. Surprisingly lean and elegant despite that. This is right up my alley. Fortunate are those with bottles to try in the years ahead.
January 19, 2023 - Black fruits, stone and cedar. Structured with significant acidity and firm tannins. Brambly with some mineral notes (that I haven't yet learned to describe) similar to wines from Renaissance. Fruit came forward on the second day.
April 12, 2022 - Medium to dark garnet. Pronounced aromas of blackciurrant, chocolate, roses, and pencil lead, with a nice savory note of jambon cru and a deft touch of oak. Penetrating fruit on the palate with fresh red and dark cherry flavors, high acids and strong tannins, smoothly integrated, medium to full body, Long finish with a nice aromatic back note. 13% alcohol. A beautifully integrated tapestry, a fine weave of vividly distinct elements.
March 10, 2022 - Days 1 through 3 were very good. But just that, very good. Pretty straightforward but the fruit was generous but a little sloppy. Nothing really stood out. It almost seemed like I was getting a touch of stewed fruit which confused me because the bottle was stored properly.
I pulled the bottle out of the fridge on day 4 not giving much hope but I figured what the heck, let's finish the last glass and a half.
Good God this wine is tremendous!!! Like old Bordeaux from the late 80s/early 90s!!! This wine gives Monte Bello a run for its money and I think Monte Bello is the greatest claret in the US. The 2012s are not even close to being ready. I wouldn't touch another for a decade if I didn't have a cool 12 sitting in the cellar.
Cherries, manure, wood, cassis, dried herbs, licorice, lavender. Showing zero stew or tomato leaf. This is as complex as I've enjoyed from California. Medium plus tannin, medium plus acidity. This is the textbook definition of velvety tannin.
Love it! Love it! Love it!!
October 31, 2021 - Well balanced, as expected less ripe / bold than many Napa cabs but still plenty flavorful
September 6, 2021 - Mount Eden cabs always have a nice dark tone, very french.
May 15, 2021 - This has lost much of the baby fat that made it drink mostly on its primary fruit a few years ago. Now it's starting to show some tobacco and cedar. Very well balanced and elegant wine, delicious.
January 1, 2021 - Decanted and enjoyed over 4 hrs. Beautiful wine! Definitely benefits from a decant...I can see the opening was a bit “green” as noted by others. But with some time in the decanter that softened almost completely. Nose is very nuanced with loam, fresh pot pourri, herbaceous (thyme), faint cedar cigar box, fresh ink and graphite. Fruits on the palate: red cherries and cassis. Tannins were still a bit grippy but well balanced and only a good sign of further aging potential!
A beautiful example of Santa Cruz terroir that shows great focus.
At 13% ABV, it shows like no other “big red” from northern Cali.
Enjoy it for another 5-7 yrs!
November 10, 2020 - Velvety tannins, very clear cedar and dark fruit aroma. Fresh.