Community Tasting Notes 28

• sfwinelover1 Likes this wine: 97 points

  March 11, 2023 - A_M’s wine contribution—he had many other contributions—to our afternoon CS and steak idyll. On the nose and palate, medium potent notes of Bordelaisian funk almost reminiscent of Latour, a mixed palate of black and red berries, currants and a bit of cassis, perhaps losing just a bit of individual definition but beautifully balanced and integrated, leather (but not leathery), anise, meatiness and green olives. Medium red brick, medium+ bodied, full legs. Medium- tannins and acidity, no heat. VG+ complexity and persistence, VG intensity. My first DAE—and specifically requested from A_M for the occasion—and, wow, what a banger, to use my host’s well-turned descriptor. This is that rare Napa Cab that I’d have mistakenly put the chips into the pot betting it was a BDX. It’s sophisticated, elegant and wonderfully supple without feeling soft, a wine in full, and up against a ‘16 Bevan Wildfoote Vixen, which it narrowly bested IMO, it showed the range of not only the CS grape, but Napa winemaking. Whether because of the positive effects of aging or perhaps a kinder, gentler winemaking style that was more in vogue before the turn of the millennium, this wine fit well other high end Napa Cabs from the mid to late 90s I’ve enjoyed in the past 6 months or so: the Pahlmeyers, the ‘97 Cain 5 and Shafer HSS and the ‘96 Insig. I have a mag of the ‘13 of this, and while it’s not in the on deck circle, it certainly won’t have the bottle age on it that this did when I consume it—at that point, I’ll be more likely to be dribbling wine than drinking it—I’ll be curious to see how it compares. A_M had this in a decanter prior to our arrival and said it came out of the bottle a bit unbalanced but it was beautiful from my first sip to last, continuing to deepen just a bit, reminiscent of the ‘06 Verite Desir, over the course of several hours. This was lovely on its own, and, even though the structure is pretty much completely integrated, an absolute rockstar with the steaks, really showing its superiority to the Myriad and the Bevan as an accompaniment. This is inarguably in an outstanding drinking window, and while I’m not taking a definitive position in the discussion between recent tasters whether this a drink now or it will keep for 20 years, I’d ever so slightly put my thumb on the scale for the former. Great stuff, this, and thanks again, A_M. 97+

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• AaronMaxwell Likes this wine: 97 points

  November 17, 2022 - This wine is a banger! Wow. Right out of the gates, it's so good. Classic Napa cab styling. It's big, but not too big. It's fruity. It's got some leather, chocolate, green olives...And it sang all night. I'm so excited I've got two more bottles to enjoy during the holidays.
  
  Not at all past its peak. Just right.

  Comments (1)

• cubswinws Likes this wine: 97 points

  December 27, 2020 - Just an amazing wine that to me shows no signs of age.

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• FoinZap Likes this wine: 97 points

  March 19, 2020 - When a wine is this good you're almost looking for reasons to mark it down. Interesting color, almost a brick red with amber edges. Relatively light (for a Napa Cab), smooth, pleasing mouth feel and texture. Slightly "Old World" nose had a whiff of alcohol, fruit, earth, maybe olives, became more gorgeous as it opened. Flavors of red and black fruit, a light dusty note, hints of coffee, malt(?), peat, toffee. Wonderfully balanced and integrated. Tannins just barely evident, just a hint of dryness on the long finish. Could be late in the drinking window, but this was wonderful, and I may buy a few more to drink soon, if I can find any with trustworthy provenance.

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• stevedg wrote: 94 points

  September 8, 2018 - Mature wine great color still
  It should be opened soon if you have

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Pro Reviews 1

Wine Definition

• Vintage 1997
• Type Red
• Producer David Arthur
• Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon
• Designation Elevation 1147
• Vineyard n/a
• Country USA
• Region California
• SubRegion Napa Valley
• Appellation Napa Valley

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 1 (0%)
• In Cellars 256 (57%)
• Consumed 194 (43%)

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