January 2, 2024 - This was my first 2017 Quivet cab of any sort, so I wasn’t prepared for just how good it was. The nose was pronounced, full of ripe dark fruit and musky floral notes that I could smell from several feet away. The palate was similarly packed with luscious purple and black fruits, along with a silky blanket of tannins and a brief flourish of toasted spice at the end. I may be under-rating this by a point. I’m still thinking about how good it was, a day later.
November 18, 2023 - Opened, poured and let sit about 35 min. Then: Maybe blue fruit on the nose. First sip is blue-dark fruit, but with acidity upfront and most noticeable. With some time in the glass this takes on weight and the acidity recedes, although it comes back a bit stronger on the finish. Maybe a bit syrupy; tannins noticeable, but not in a bad way, and help maintain structure; softish mouthfeel. Pleasant as a red wine, no particularly cabernet profile, although it would be hard to mistake it for some other varietal.
November 14, 2023 - Good, slightly acidic.
October 17, 2023 - Blueberry, blackberry, sweet tobacco, slight menthol. Settled tannic structure, early part of the drink window.
September 2, 2023 - Nice Cab, great value 92-93 points as a pop and pour.
May 9, 2023 - Day one.
April 29, 2023 - My last bottle of this wine was late in the year 2021 and for this vintage there were a lot of swings and misses, this wine was and remains a hit. This wine is in a very nice drinking window. Dark purple color with a pleasing bouquet. On the palate, dark berry fruits black and blueberries, some boysenberry, black cherry and currants and some tobacco. A worthy Cabernet with a finish that lingers and that punches well above expectations. 93/ 93+ Points.
July 25, 2022 - Mentholated prune, concentrated licorice, blackberry pipe tobacco. Fine settled by present tannins, 45 second finish.
September 30, 2021 - Outstanding wine for an entry level Cabernet.
August 13, 2021 - Superb wine, one of the best "entry cab's" you'll have from a Mike Smith lineup. Smooth, with plenty of depth. 30 minute decant and then it's ready to go