I opened the bottle and let stand in the bottle for 3 hours, and then had it with roast lamb. There were some Pinot Noir type notes, but very much reduced compared to my previous impressions. There was more Cab varietal flavor. Overall this was very good, but I think it's still a bit young. If drinking now, I'd recommend decanting for an hour or so.
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Very good for the price. Needs 20 minutes (in the bottle) before it's drinkable. Very little on the nose--mostly oak and alcohol. Cherry and plum on the palette with very nice acidity on the finish.
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Dense and full bodied, ripe red fruit and jammy aromas. Powerful fruit on entry, just a hint of oak, but lacking much structure. Short finish with only moderate tannins. Held up to a plate of spicy grilled shrimp and ratatouille over grits. Decent friendly cab at a reasonable price. Drink 2012-2016.
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I really liked this wine, but I had to mark it down because it seems out of style for a Cab - if I disregard style guidelines I could probably go for 88. The predominant flavor is a spiciness that really seems like Pinot Noir, but it's much heavier than that. I would call this (in taste) in between Cab and Pinot Noir, which is something I've never encountered before. It was ok to pop and pour and seemed on balance nicer after half the bottle spent 24 hours under vacuvin. So if you like both Cab and Pinot Noir, you definitely should try this.
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Cherries and floral notes on the nose. Medium body with medium tannins which lead to a smooth finish with a hint of pepper. Nothing complex or very interesting going on, but a solid effort nonetheless. I can recommend this for a good wine when you don't want to open any "special" bottles.
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- Garnet color and aromas of black currant, smokey, coffee and oak. It's balanced with a medium body. Smooth texture - I have never had a bad wine from Sean Minor, they are some of the best qpr wines out there and always deliver above their price point. A great everyday wine drinks better than a lot of CA cabs in the 20 to 40 dollar range.
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I am beginning to become a fan of this producer. Everything they release seems to be right on the money, both in cost and flavor. This wine though by no means layered and complex, or overpowering, is varietally correct and complete. The nose is very interesting with dried red fruits accompanied by tobacco and cedar, in a manner that may suggest some eucalyptus trees in the neighborhood. The palate has that type of feel that relates so well to drink upon release, or short term cellaring. This wine tastes very natural, not manipulated. The fruit is a little tight, in the manner of clone 337. Balanced acidity. The oak is well integrated. Has the refined cedar and graphite finis of wine considerably more expensive.
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In my search for young cabernet that Julie can/will drink and I can 'suffer' this Sean Minor was a nice surprise. This is fruit forward, with very nice cabernet markers. This has a nice clean red and dark fruited entry, and a fairly bright- acidic-attack. 14.5% alcohol and oak not a problem at all here and not at all syrupy like soooo many modern day California cabernet sauvignons.
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3/15/2014 - jerrysvino wrote: 87 Points
Nice medium body cab. Don't think I would get this one again. Decent wine but nothing special.
Good nose, light body, not much of an aftertaste.
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3/17/2013 - appleforest wrote: 89 Points
I opened the bottle and let stand in the bottle for 3 hours, and then had it with roast lamb. There were some Pinot Noir type notes, but very much reduced compared to my previous impressions. There was more Cab varietal flavor. Overall this was very good, but I think it's still a bit young. If drinking now, I'd recommend decanting for an hour or so.
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6/23/2012 - ATIVA wrote: 85 Points
Very good for the price. Needs 20 minutes (in the bottle) before it's drinkable. Very little on the nose--mostly oak and alcohol. Cherry and plum on the palette with very nice acidity on the finish.
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3/22/2012 - raypedia wrote: 85 Points
Dense and full bodied, ripe red fruit and jammy aromas. Powerful fruit on entry, just a hint of oak, but lacking much structure. Short finish with only moderate tannins. Held up to a plate of spicy grilled shrimp and ratatouille over grits. Decent friendly cab at a reasonable price. Drink 2012-2016.
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3/2/2012 - appleforest wrote: 86 Points
I really liked this wine, but I had to mark it down because it seems out of style for a Cab - if I disregard style guidelines I could probably go for 88. The predominant flavor is a spiciness that really seems like Pinot Noir, but it's much heavier than that. I would call this (in taste) in between Cab and Pinot Noir, which is something I've never encountered before. It was ok to pop and pour and seemed on balance nicer after half the bottle spent 24 hours under vacuvin. So if you like both Cab and Pinot Noir, you definitely should try this.
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1/29/2012 - Roostovino Likes this wine: 88 Points
Cherries and floral notes on the nose. Medium body with medium tannins which lead to a smooth finish with a hint of pepper. Nothing complex or very interesting going on, but a solid effort nonetheless. I can recommend this for a good wine when you don't want to open any "special" bottles.
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1/24/2012 - jingram wrote: 88 Points
- Garnet color and aromas of black currant, smokey, coffee and oak. It's balanced with a medium body. Smooth texture - I have never had a bad wine from Sean Minor, they are some of the best qpr wines out there and always deliver above their price point. A great everyday wine drinks better than a lot of CA cabs in the 20 to 40 dollar range.
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11/24/2011 - Seanana wrote: 80 Points
Very good wine. Tasted a little sweet, but was very drinkable.
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10/22/2011 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 87 Points
I am beginning to become a fan of this producer. Everything they release seems to be right on the money, both in cost and flavor. This wine though by no means layered and complex, or overpowering, is varietally correct and complete. The nose is very interesting with dried red fruits accompanied by tobacco and cedar, in a manner that may suggest some eucalyptus trees in the neighborhood. The palate has that type of feel that relates so well to drink upon release, or short term cellaring. This wine tastes very natural, not manipulated. The fruit is a little tight, in the manner of clone 337. Balanced acidity. The oak is well integrated. Has the refined cedar and graphite finis of wine considerably more expensive.
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10/16/2011 - Fslorenzo wrote: 89 Points
Good with berry tones. Solid napa cab with no pretense. Will add to cellar
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10/6/2011 - JoshA wrote: 90 Points
Big fruity nose of plum and black fruit. Carries through to the palate and long finish with lush fruit and fine tannins. Easy to drink and like.
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9/25/2011 - Charlie Carnes wrote: 90 Points
In my search for young cabernet that Julie can/will drink and I can 'suffer' this Sean Minor was a nice surprise. This is fruit forward, with very nice cabernet markers. This has a nice clean red and dark fruited entry, and a fairly bright- acidic-attack. 14.5% alcohol and oak not a problem at all here and not at all syrupy like soooo many modern day California cabernet sauvignons.
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6/4/2011 - Alansusan wrote: 90 Points
Fruit forward, smooth finish. Nice, simple and well balanced.
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5/22/2011 - MRD Colorado Likes this wine: 88 Points
very good very smooth, ready to drink, fruity, medium light tannins
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2/12/2011 - NEDoc wrote: 87 Points
Dark color. Pleasant, if non-descript, nose. Full mouthfeel and definite blackberry notes. Moderate finish.
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1/6/2011 - drdebs wrote: 87 Points
Rich and mouthfilling, with plum and blackberry fruit aromas and flavors.
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