• DansWines wrote: 91 points

    February 10, 2023 - Nice nose of dark/red fruit, mushroom and forest floor. Beautiful garnet with little oxidation change. Taste was still a bit tannic and showing signs of toeing over - maybe 2-3 years past it’s prime. Still lovely, complex tertiary notes of tobacco, roasted beef and tree bark. Paired beautifully with a thick smoked bacon app and filet of beef with sides. Last bottle of this in the cellar.

  • msuwine wrote: 95 points

    May 2, 2020 - This wine is past its peak - but not by as much as I expected. Instead, this bottle has aged beautifully, with incredible flavors and a silky mouthfeel, all with both nuance and balance. I drank this shortly after a 2012, which showed more fullness and tension (though each wine had a similar class and depth). Opening this 21-year old wine started off as a bit of an experiment, but it ended up being a genuine pleasure.

    Light red in color and medium in body, the wine offers compelling aromas of fresh gravel, espresso, spice cake, and eucalyptus. The fruity core is mature but alive, with notes of sour cherry, dried strawberry, and a touch of prune, followed by more earthy notes of dried mint, porcini mushroom, and rawhide. Blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot, with 52% from Howell Mountain, 30% Alexander Valley, 6% Mount Veeder, and 12% Knights Valley (Les Pavots). 14% alcohol. This was ready from the beginning, but it gained another gear after an hour of air. Drink now.

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  • jjcoola Likes this wine: 93 points

    November 23, 2017 - A well balanced, mature wine. Black current, with notes of cedar and tobacco on the finish. The tannin's have aged out of this wine, creating a mellow, slightly earthy finish. While at the end of it's drinking window, it is still drinking well, but I wouldn't wait much longer.

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  • NYC_Maenad wrote:

    June 19, 2017 - The whiff of mint I got on the nose when the bottle was first opened was off-putting, as I don't particularly like that in cabernet. Overall, though, the wine was pretty classic, with sweet ripe fruit (not over ripe), very soft tannins and generally good balance. I found it lacking in acid for my palate, and can't say the sweetness appealed. I also found the alcohol more evident than was pleasant for me. Jonathan liked it more than I did, as he's more tolerant of the style. I can see how people would really like this wine - it's clearly well made - it's just not to my taste.

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  • Francophile1 Likes this wine: 92 points

    December 29, 2016 - Surprisingly good. I was expecting a straight laced Cali Cab that had lost its fruit. However, what I found was a fully mature and complex Cali Cab that still had great black currant fruit & balance AND lovely secondary notes of tobacco, cedar, etc... almost has a left bank Bordeaux quality. Decanted for 30 minutes and consumed over 90 minutes.

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  • prism wrote: 93 points

    December 1, 2016 - Decanted, followed over a meal. Not much on the nose, but this turns out to be an excellent Bordeaux blend. Had it some time back and enjoyed it, though wasn't wowed. Appreciate the power and refinement, though.

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  • g289519 wrote: 94 points

    April 7, 2015 - Thought it would be past prime but was pleasantly surprised. No decant, just pop and pour. Dee-lish!

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  • Wine_lvr wrote: 91 points

    November 27, 2013 - Tasted blind: Dark in color. Wonderful nose of coffe and leather. The taste was dominated by dry tannins, after about 1hr it opens up and shows nice notes of cherries and currant. Not a huge wine but quite nice and a good food companion.

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  • moutondoc Likes this wine: 90 points

    August 25, 2013 - Still very tannic but well balanced. High alcohol still apparent.

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  • MC2 Wines Likes this wine: 92 points

    May 11, 2013 - This was the last bottle of the night, so no extensive notes. Strawberry and a hint of paprika on the nose. Red fruits with a touch of minerality on the palate. Enjoyable cab, but seems to be time to drink now - wouldn't recommend holding onto this one much longer.

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