July 31, 2022 - Live
December 25, 2019 - Still dark ad midnight. Nose shows well rounded cool cassis. This is fully resolved and probably in the best spot it will ever be. Creamy and dense but pure and intense, this has notes of black currant, lead pencil shavings and cardamom. Balance is spot on. I am not sure I would have expected this from this particular wine of this particular era. Just beautiful. I mentioned at the time that THIS is exactly why we put these type of wines into our cellars for 10 years. Not elegance but strength resolved.
June 4, 2019 - Purple with dark garnet at the edges. Nice nose of cassis, ceder, and hint of crushed rocks. Although the color and nose hinted at a full-bodied wine, the palate was more dry, muted, and rustic. It was decanted for 1 hour but it really needed 3 hours to open up and even then it was fairly subdued and not rich as I was expecting, with notes of cassis, blackberry, espresso, minerals, and a cedery element that clipped the slightly smokey, austere finish. It had fairly good depth and a savory palate presence but not much fruit.
The bottle was gone in 3 hours so couldn't say how it would have done if decanted longer. I can't speak to its provenance but based on this bottle, I would suggest drinking this up now.
February 13, 2019 - Similar to previous notes but decanted only an hour which is plenty. Tannins are softer but still present so the Wine can go longer in the cellar but not sure it will improve.
Wonderfully balanced and structure yet very smooth and luscious fruit. Iron fist in a velvet glove as Mr. Teleschief would say. Long lingering finish with nice chocolate notes. I love this wine and particularly 2008. I’m hoping some of my 2013, 2014 & 2015 Kobalts are just as good. Great effort by Kobalt.
December 21, 2018 - Ready upon opening, absolutely singing with 30 minutes of air. Gorgeous wine with no sign of deterioration, would seem to have a long life ahead.
December 9, 2018 - Probably my favorite California Cab now. Decanted 2.5 hours and plenty of tannin and life still left. Wonderful layers of flavors. Got a little more alcohol in this bottle but the flavors are amazing and the finish goes on forever. Just a wonderful Cab that is so smooth andextracted. Bought the last three bottles from where I bought it last time so have four left now. Yummy.
October 20, 2018 - No decant because I wasn’t sure about the tannin level and didn’t want it to be flat. Popped and poured and there is still plenty of tannin to carry this wine several more years. Black color and fruit jumps out of the glass. Very round, extracted and amazing New World Cab flavor. I love this Cab and it is beyond exceptional. Kobalt is one of my favorite Napa Cabs. So open and luscious and a departure from the Old style Napa Cab producers like Stags Leap, Montelena, Mondavi and BV which have fallen behind the Young Guns.
November 26, 2017 - Huge bold Cab!
August 13, 2017 - Served at my parents. Dark purple fruit - blackberry, blueberry, and dark currants. Smooth mid-palate with solid depth. Quite rich and somewhat sweet extracted fruit. Fairly long finish. Decanted for one hour and drank over another two. Improved a little with time but was drinking well after the decant. However, drank next to a 2013 Carter Beckstoffer OG cab and the OG was quite a bit better in my opinion - although the OG is more my style as the fruit wasn't as rich/extracted. 100% cab.
March 4, 2017 - Amazing!! I will put this Cab against all comers regardless of price. If you haven't had Kobalt wines you are missing out. I love Spottswoode and would tell you Kobalt is right there.
Purple/black color, amazing extraction but beautifully integrated tannins. A flavor explosion of chocolate and amazing balance. The finish goes on forever. I will buy this wine every vintage & make sure that it is ALWAYS in my cellar. From the winemaker who started Merus. Wonderful