April 16, 2011 - This wine has aged nicely. Aromas of red fruit and chocolate that follow through to the finish of medium length ending with smooth tannins. The only down side is, no more bottles in the cellar.
May 3, 2009 - Quite a cab for the price.
January 21, 2009 - Fairly tight after decanting for 1 hr - it was much better the following day. Very dark color, like black cherry. I get lots of ripe cherries, chocolate and cassis on the nose. Flavors were mostly cherries, blueberries and plums. Medium acidity and tannins. The flavors have a very quick transition to the mid and back palate making it seem a bit thin up front. Not a real long finish, but it was smooth. A good wine to sip or eat with food. Good value @ $12.
December 22, 2008 - Nothing to write home about. Ok table wine for the price, but flat taste and no real complexity.
October 2, 2008 - Slightly jammy but dull nose. Green pallette, tannins not well integrated. Maybe a little young. Better with food, but not really worth a repeat for me.
September 6, 2008 - Dark, purple red with some hint of brown, medium translucency, clear.
Purchased at retailer at room temp, decanted and chilled in 40F refrigerator. First taste at 10 min chill, consumed at 30 minutes chill, not a lot of difference between the two. Consumed with very nice pan fried, lightly seasoned, perfectly marbled ribeye. Sauce made of sauteed onion and mushroom, butter and this wine.
Aroma was moderate dark fruits, a little hint of chocolate.
This was slightly sweet but not much, light in body, smooth acidity, medium tannins, moderate to light flavor intensity of dark fruits, plum, maybe a hint of tobacco if you reach hard enough. The finish was short.
Ok, this was not an impressive wine for a cab sauv but, it wasn't offensive and would make a decent wine to bring to a fatty dinner with non red drinkers. It went well with the steak and certainly didn't overwhelm it, or the roasted green beans and definitely not the broccoli. $12 for a Tuesday night wine. Chateau Ste. Michelle is always a safe bet and I didn't expect a blockbuster out of this price range. I'd certainly consider using this wine to make my pan sauces.
low 80s
August 15, 2008 - Liked a lot.
August 6, 2008 - Fruit forward with notes of dark fruit, plum, currant and dark cherry. Short finish and lacking complexity or score would have been higher. Still great value as usual from Washington cabs.
August 1, 2008 - Typical black fruit & heavy oak on the nose, couldn't detect much else. Same fruit notes follow through on the tongue, but too much sweetness on top of it. Nicely oaked finish, not much tannins/heat. Still fine for $12, but a major step down from the '03 in my book.
June 28, 2008 - Very Good