August 3, 2020 - Notes of cherry, earth, minerals, and hint of green peppers. Medium+ bodied with a tannins and acidity in balance. Nice depth with a medium finish. Drinking great with only 30 min of air. Should hold for a few years more.
June 15, 2018 - Blind 2001/2002 Cab Tasting (Chez Hughes): Double blind in an 01/02 Cali Cab flight. Appealing nose has loads of tobacco and bell pepper complexity right out of the gate. Palate is polished and ripe, but in check with good cab character and firm grip and structure.
June 15, 2018 - California Cabernet 2001/2002 Blind Tasting (Hughes House - Chicago IL): Double blind in 01/02 Cali Cab tasting. An odd wine. While I found this too ripe and extracted, there was also an impressive amount of concentration and dry extract. Probably 86-87 points for pleasure today, but this is and intriguing and burly wine that I think has 90 point upside, 2022 forward.
Incorrectly thought this from '01 vintage.
December 18, 2015 - Did not decant. Began popping with fruit, we thought it was on 06-07.
Delicious, then in an hour began to dry out,and tannis dominated. Good while early
September 15, 2015 - This wine is sustaining it's fruit and body. Dark fruits, soft tannins, very enjoyable. Looking forward to drinking the remaining 4 or 5 bottles.
June 19, 2014 - Brought to Harris Steakhouse in San Fran. Very pleasant, tastes younger than it is.
January 7, 2012 - deep, big, bold, well rounded
December 21, 2011 - Excellent big black fruit. Great nose with tannins that are smoothe
November 27, 2010 - This wine is so smooth now. Really developed into a nice cabernet. Last tasted two years ago and a bit more tanen than I like, but now beautiful wine!90pt
April 12, 2009 - Great for someone who likes big, New World wines. Dark almost opaque. Overwhelming aromas of fruit, blackcurrant. Well integrated tannins. 14.8% of alcohol makes it a little bit too much for me to call it balanced but otherwise ... quintessential California.