April 27, 2019 - i'm really confused with most of the CT notes. the wine was like cherry compote in the glass and drank like it. nothing said napa valley floor cab to me. tart red flavors and uninspiring aromatics. huge letdown.
September 23, 2017 - Popped and poured, moderate ruby hue, quite youthful. Pronounced aromas of red fruits, red bean paste, cassis, mint, autumnal foliage, sandalwood and a mélange of spice (ginger, cinnamon, clove). Decadent fruit flavors of raspberry, blueberry and blackcurrant are livened with decent acidity. The tannins are refined and nearly indiscernible on a finish of extreme persistence.
Completely succeeds in pushing all of the boundaries (and profoundly at that), words can do no justice.
Quick comment: one of Mike Smith's best, absolute WOW
January 31, 2015 - Wow!...An absolutely lovely expression of Cali Cab with just enough age on it...perfectly integrated tannins and silky smooth with dark red fruit on the nose...a guest said it was one of the best Cabs he has ever had.
May 30, 2014 - Had the fruit profile that I expect from a Cali cab, but not the body. Very medium bodied. Very good overall but not outstanding.
January 10, 2014 - Decanted for 30 minutes. Some muted fruit. Nowhere near as good as last bottle. Perhaps an off bottle or in a dumb phase right now.
January 19, 2013 - My third and final bottle, and not as "outstanding" as I remember the first two. Good bottle, don't get me wrong, but not the wow factor I had in two previous experiences.
December 28, 2012 - Delicious. Everything seems to have integrated, and the fruit has come out of hibernation. Tannins are silky smooth, and the finish lingers. The mouthfeel was a bit thin for a GIII cab (and compared to other bottles of this that I have had), but that is a minor complaint.
May 16, 2012 - My third bottle, and my least favorite (although it was still a good bottle, just not as good as prior ones). Had a short decant, but it needed more. It seemed overly ripe, with a strong up-front sweetness. Once my palate adjusted, I enjoyed this more, but out of the gate I was scratching my head.
January 8, 2012 - Good wine that is really nicely layered. Just lacks a bit of complexity.
January 1, 2012 - Drank with caeser crusted beef tenderloin, amazing bottle of wine at this point. Long way to go. Drank after 02 Pride Reserve Cab, another great bottle.