First bottle from an OWC recent purchase...all my previous bottles(mine from release) have been amazing, and all I could ask for from this wine. So far...these have been well cared for! Tons of caked on sediment in the bottle...decanted, rinsed bottle, and poured back in. The nose is a little more mudded with earth mulch, but still fascinating with the dusty old wine cellar, kirsch liqueur, dried tobacco leaf, shaved cedar, wintergreen forest...gorgeous silky smooth fruit...plum, black cherry, cassis...seems darker chocolate brownie than previous...totally resolved tannins...polished and plush...previous bottles had more structure and spice kick...now we nit pickin. The balance is amazing...SO complex and old school Cali good...leather, bay leaf, pencil...although just a notch below my previous bottle form last year...this is still a FRIGGIN bangin 32yr old wine!
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Cellared since release, open in bottle for 2hrs, 78%CS, 10%CF, 6%Melbec, 5%Merlot, 1%PV...it's been 13yrs since my last encounter with this beauty, and it is STILL a stunner! OMG the nose! Dusty old wine cellar, kirsch liqueur, dried tobacco leaf, shaved cedar, wintergreen forest...you absolutely know you are in for a treat! On the palate, still so youthful...dark and silky red berry fruits...like they were just crushed yesterday...mouth coating smoothness, with a nice sour kick of cherry skin acidity...very polished and plush, med+ bodied, dusty cedar spiced tannic structure to it that firms...hahaha...I just have to laugh how AMAZINGLY good this wine is...SO much complexity and old school texture and feel...maaaybe for some, a little too much oak used...there is a lot of barrel spice and tannins left...but plenty of fruit and acid lift to make it a non issue for me...in fact, I adore the balance in this, tilted more towards the youthful side...finishes very long...exotic...killer graphite and red licorice dryness...slight leather...PLENTY more years left in the tank on this one! Damn those 91's are the bomb!
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From a magnum and tasting great. Beautifully mature cab nose. Silky smooth. Still some slightly sweet fruit with cedar and tobacco. Held strong for hours, until it was all gone.
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Very rich and opulent classic California Cab. The nose blasts blackberry, cassis, eucalyptus, caramel, vanilla bean, asnd a kiss of elevated alcohol. The palate is equally polished. Rich and ripe with low tannin and acid. A bit modern for my tastes, but it is nicely done.
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Purchased at auction. Bottle and cork were in perfect condition for a 25 year old bottle of wine. Decided to open this weekend with a 21 day old dry aged ribeye. Wine had a sort of dusty flavor upon opening which went away after 30 min or so. Fruit was still very solid but the wine is waning. I would drink up if you have any more of these. Overall a great deal at auction for a lovely old Cab!
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Wow - had this at a birthday dinner, had held up well and was still very smooth and nuanced. A little loss of fruit but still quite good. Decanted for 45 minutes prior to drinking.
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Thanksgiving 2012, decanted 90 mins prior to dinner. Cork was in great shape for 21 years old. This wine was amazing, if only all cabernets could taste this good. Fresh raspberry roaring on the palate, tannins and oak that rolled off the tongue seamlessly. Alcohol just hinted through the fruit with pure elegance. Between the 2 of us drinking red wine, this disappeared in an instant. Well worth the $65 i paid, would rebuy with no regrets for this could easily go another few years in the cellar. 97+
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Elegant and distinguished Cabernet Reserve with beautiful red hue color and Bordeaux-like nose. Pretty cherry, and currant surrounded with cedar and tobacco leaf. Glides effortlessly over the palate. Sophisticated notes of lead pencil and wood shavings grace the mid-section. Polished, silky tannins frame all the classy characteristics of this wine. A detailed, prodigious finish propelled by dried herbs, and a touch of coffee. This aged red is in mint condition and still can go further in the cellar.
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Best aged cab of my career. Everything in perfect balance. Only thing preventing a higher score is that one "wow" factor, which was admittedly missing. But maybe I'm being too critical, or leaving room for some other-worldly cab. On a good day, I might've given this a 99.
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wow was this great from start to finish. One of the best older cabs i've had, and probably the best sonoma cab ever. Beautiful mix of cassis, leather and fruit with even a bit of mintiness in the background. Quite full mouth feel. Only drawback was a bit of astringency on the finish which did smooth out somewhat thru the 2 hrs I drank it. Excellent though! Definite rebuy if I can find it for 75-100.
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Drank a magnum that I bought at the winery many years ago. Easily one of the best cabs I've ever had and I turn 55 tomorrow. Just amazing purity of fruit and Bordeaux (Meritage) flavors. Still has lots of life left but why wait as it's absolutely delicious now. A good example of the virtues of larger format bottles.
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This wine has always been outstanding...and in its 18th year of life....FRIGGIN AMAZING! This wine hasn't budged in years...only getting smoother and smoother. Rich mocha brownie laced dark berry fruit...soft and sweet...LOADED with complexities of leather, dusty cedar, anise, cherries jubilee. Also shows some dried tobacco leaves, and a slight plum sour skin. Very rich and plush fruited wine....reminds me a little of the 2001 Paloma Merlot. My notes 4 years ago on this, said this wine will be "eternal".........I see no signs of that not being true today. They just don't make-um like they use to!
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Pop and pour with 20 people. Everyone agreed we caught this wine at just right time! Wow! Leather, black currant, some tobacco, more fruit than I would have expected at this point in the life cycle. Would have been WOTN if not for the E & E.
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This Cab is drinking beautifully well. Cassis and leather in the nose, nice fruit mid palate and a long finish. I have one more in the cellar and it could last another year or two easily.
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12/3/2023 - Mrbuzz Likes this wine: 96 Points
First bottle from an OWC recent purchase...all my previous bottles(mine from release) have been amazing, and all I could ask for from this wine. So far...these have been well cared for! Tons of caked on sediment in the bottle...decanted, rinsed bottle, and poured back in. The nose is a little more mudded with earth mulch, but still fascinating with the dusty old wine cellar, kirsch liqueur, dried tobacco leaf, shaved cedar, wintergreen forest...gorgeous silky smooth fruit...plum, black cherry, cassis...seems darker chocolate brownie than previous...totally resolved tannins...polished and plush...previous bottles had more structure and spice kick...now we nit pickin. The balance is amazing...SO complex and old school Cali good...leather, bay leaf, pencil...although just a notch below my previous bottle form last year...this is still a FRIGGIN bangin 32yr old wine!
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7/26/2022 - Mrbuzz Likes this wine: 97 Points
Cellared since release, open in bottle for 2hrs, 78%CS, 10%CF, 6%Melbec, 5%Merlot, 1%PV...it's been 13yrs since my last encounter with this beauty, and it is STILL a stunner! OMG the nose! Dusty old wine cellar, kirsch liqueur, dried tobacco leaf, shaved cedar, wintergreen forest...you absolutely know you are in for a treat! On the palate, still so youthful...dark and silky red berry fruits...like they were just crushed yesterday...mouth coating smoothness, with a nice sour kick of cherry skin acidity...very polished and plush, med+ bodied, dusty cedar spiced tannic structure to it that firms...hahaha...I just have to laugh how AMAZINGLY good this wine is...SO much complexity and old school texture and feel...maaaybe for some, a little too much oak used...there is a lot of barrel spice and tannins left...but plenty of fruit and acid lift to make it a non issue for me...in fact, I adore the balance in this, tilted more towards the youthful side...finishes very long...exotic...killer graphite and red licorice dryness...slight leather...PLENTY more years left in the tank on this one! Damn those 91's are the bomb!
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1/23/2022 - Winokdub wrote: 95 Points
From a magnum and tasting great. Beautifully mature cab nose. Silky smooth. Still some slightly sweet fruit with cedar and tobacco. Held strong for hours, until it was all gone.
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10/12/2019 - Wine Canuck wrote: 90 Points
Very rich and opulent classic California Cab. The nose blasts blackberry, cassis, eucalyptus, caramel, vanilla bean, asnd a kiss of elevated alcohol. The palate is equally polished. Rich and ripe with low tannin and acid. A bit modern for my tastes, but it is nicely done.
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6/25/2017 - scovogel wrote: 96 Points
Really really good. Very smooth and well balanced.
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6/28/2016 - KCBrian Likes this wine: 92 Points
Purchased at auction. Bottle and cork were in perfect condition for a 25 year old bottle of wine. Decided to open this weekend with a 21 day old dry aged ribeye. Wine had a sort of dusty flavor upon opening which went away after 30 min or so. Fruit was still very solid but the wine is waning. I would drink up if you have any more of these. Overall a great deal at auction for a lovely old Cab!
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4/26/2015 - jjcnrose wrote: 89 Points
Wow - had this at a birthday dinner, had held up well and was still very smooth and nuanced. A little loss of fruit but still quite good. Decanted for 45 minutes prior to drinking.
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6/29/2014 - jonnyoro wrote: 92 Points
One year past its due date... Unfortunately; just fading a bit- tannins sweet mostly resolved... A little VA, high toned, but just tired.
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11/26/2012 - GNorton wrote: 97 Points
Thanksgiving 2012, decanted 90 mins prior to dinner. Cork was in great shape for 21 years old. This wine was amazing, if only all cabernets could taste this good. Fresh raspberry roaring on the palate, tannins and oak that rolled off the tongue seamlessly. Alcohol just hinted through the fruit with pure elegance. Between the 2 of us drinking red wine, this disappeared in an instant. Well worth the $65 i paid, would rebuy with no regrets for this could easily go another few years in the cellar. 97+
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3/31/2012 - wine maestro wrote: 93 Points
Elegant and distinguished Cabernet Reserve with beautiful red hue color and Bordeaux-like nose. Pretty cherry, and currant surrounded with cedar and tobacco leaf. Glides effortlessly
over the palate. Sophisticated notes of lead pencil and wood shavings grace the mid-section. Polished, silky tannins frame all the classy characteristics of this wine. A detailed, prodigious
finish propelled by dried herbs, and a touch of coffee. This aged red is in mint condition and still can go further in the cellar.
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4/24/2011 - WineScoundrel wrote: 97 Points
Best aged cab of my career. Everything in perfect balance. Only thing preventing a higher score is that one "wow" factor, which was admittedly missing. But maybe I'm being too critical, or leaving room for some other-worldly cab. On a good day, I might've given this a 99.
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4/2/2011 - bruinesq84 wrote: 94 Points
wow was this great from start to finish. One of the best older cabs i've had, and probably the best sonoma cab ever. Beautiful mix of cassis, leather and fruit with even a bit of mintiness in the background. Quite full mouth feel. Only drawback was a bit of astringency on the finish which did smooth out somewhat thru the 2 hrs I drank it. Excellent though! Definite rebuy if I can find it for 75-100.
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12/5/2010 - BoulderWine wrote: 98 Points
Drank a magnum that I bought at the winery many years ago. Easily one of the best cabs I've ever had and I turn 55 tomorrow. Just amazing purity of fruit and Bordeaux (Meritage) flavors. Still has lots of life left but why wait as it's absolutely delicious now. A good example of the virtues of larger format bottles.
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4/22/2009 - Mrbuzz wrote: 97 Points
This wine has always been outstanding...and in its 18th year of life....FRIGGIN AMAZING! This wine hasn't budged in years...only getting smoother and smoother. Rich mocha brownie laced dark berry fruit...soft and sweet...LOADED with complexities of leather, dusty cedar, anise, cherries jubilee. Also shows some dried tobacco leaves, and a slight plum sour skin. Very rich and plush fruited wine....reminds me a little of the 2001 Paloma Merlot. My notes 4 years ago on this, said this wine will be "eternal".........I see no signs of that not being true today. They just don't make-um like they use to!
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9/5/2008 - cmerlot wrote: 95 Points
Decanted 30 minutes, excellent! fruit forward and long finish. I have to get my hands on more!
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12/2/2007 - JimN wrote: 94 Points
Pop and pour with 20 people. Everyone agreed we caught this wine at just right time! Wow! Leather, black currant, some tobacco, more fruit than I would have expected at this point in the life cycle. Would have been WOTN if not for the E & E.
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3/6/2007 - sfnights wrote: 92 Points
This Cab is drinking beautifully well. Cassis and leather in the nose, nice fruit mid palate and a long finish. I have one more in the cellar and it could last another year or two easily.
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