March 1, 2024 - Yumbo! Wondering if it needs to decant but opening flavor so good.
November 4, 2023 - An explosive and big wine. First one of these I've had in a long long time. Big black and blue fruit with tons of power; however, decanted for 2 hours so it got in its groove after lots of air. Velvet, richness but balanced to not be too overpowering. Long finish. Excellent
October 22, 2023 - It's all there; power, elegance and balance. Awesome
October 22, 2023 - USA 2013 tasting by Sander (By SS @ De Ertepeller in Papendrecht): This is very extraordinary and special and extremely beautiful. Dark berries, cedar, oak, concentrated and yet elegant in the bouquet. On the palate a mouth full of everything, some lovely acidity and a beautiful touch of sweetness. This wine is very close to perfection.
July 23, 2023 - On initial opening we thought the wine had entered a dormant phase. The nose was almost entirely shut down. However, over time we slowly experienced this wine evolving in the glass and into something quite special. I've had Napa Cabs more complex than this wine, but none so well integrated. Everything was in perfect harmony, which I think led to a holistic drinking experience and something a little unusual. At 15.5% ABV there was some initial heat on the nose and palate that dissipated over time. It paired beautifully with Prime NY Strips, bringing out the best in both the meat and this Cab.
Overall, I was hoping for a bit more complexity. That said, it was the overall harmony that was so impressive. Next time I'll decant for at least 2 hours prior to consumption in the hopes of gaining that complexity.
February 4, 2023 - Just a BEASTLY wine. Very, very complex. Feels young? (By our standards… 10-20 years old). A touch of musk? With the reveal… HA KM…. You all remember 2009 HA KM was my WOTY for 2021. Finishing with a bit of chocolate and white pepper. One word — addictive. @ Napa Boys Trip
June 23, 2021 - Robert Parker 100
June 6, 2021 - A delicious full bodied cab with a nice long finish. Decanted for 3 hours and served with grilled strip steaks.
February 1, 2021 - creme de cassis, blackberry jam, black cherries, black licorice, mocha, dried herbs, spice box, graphite, dark chocolate, and oak
drink it by itself, it'll drown other wines out with the oak and fruit left on your palate. there is a time and place for everything, big cabs like this should just be on its own and not in a line-up. long finish.
used to love this style of cab, slowly phasing out of it. still good from time to time
August 2, 2020 - Ruby color with a bouquet and flavor of blackberry, dark cassis, and toasty oak. Soft tannins with good definition but with the oak a little too dominant, causing a bit of disappointment for such a heralded wine. I was hoping for a Wow or even a wow, given the price.