Drink up. The nose is beautiful with layers of rich fruit (dusty plum, boysenberry, sweet black cherry) mingling with iron and just a hint of truffle. The sweetness and brightness of the fruit is classic Washington, even at this age, and is nicely complemented by the subtle earth and wood. Still enjoyable tonight, but the fruit is starting to dim on the palate.
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Very dark plum-colored in the glass. Nose of dark fruits and chocolate. Tannins have moderated nicely with a nice viscous mouth feel. Paired nicely with NY strip.
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Nose of blackberry, damp earth, doused campfire and alcohol heat. Had a youthful appearence of bright red. The Uriah had a superb mouthfeel, yet still very tannic. Black fruit, roasted red pepper and soy sauce on the palate. This effort began to open to more red fruits after an hour. Great acid on the finish expresses to me that the structure will outlast the fruit in the cellar. It definately got juicy and softer on the finish by glass three, (90 minute mark). Definitely recommend decanting.
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Was feeling that this wine might be reaching its EOL, but was surprised to find in drinking quite nicely, with perhaps antiher couple of years left in the cellar. Excellent red fruit (cherries) with anise on the finish. Very fine tannins on this medium bodied blend.
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The wine was a dark rich plum color. The aroma had a nice spice, hints of cedar, dark fruit and chocolate for the nose. The real treat was the taste, with the wine having huge tannins that filled your mouth and dry up quickly for a subtle finish. I will be looking for more of this vintage.
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Disappointing... Not corked but something was wrong. Maybe just a bad bottle. Color was still nice, but no fruit, tart, acidic and funky. Definitely not what I remember this wine to be. Last 2000, but still have 01,02,03,04... so hopefully those will taste better.
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Dark red color with clear rim. Aromas of black fruits, mocha, cedar and spice. Ripe, nicely structured fruit in the mouth very good depth and length. Characteristic lush and sauve mouthfeel. Still very fresh and youthful.
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Opened for 2+ hours prior. This is great. On the nose raspberries, spices, cedar and ash. Very lush mouth feel with dark red fruits that are seemlessly integrated with a hint of vanilla, pepper and herbs of the finish. Last of 6 bottles and drinking so well now. Wish I had more!
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On April's birthday in Brooklyn. With April, May, Kay, Jen and I. This is one of the nicest wines we've had in a long time. Drinking just perfectly, with lots of dark, black & red fruit, wood, chocolate and some spice. Could have fooled me for a St. Emilion. Delicious!
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kind of a bummer cuz it was over the hill. Tart berries, it had lost the beautiful velvety mouthfeel I've come to know and love in Spring Valley. But there was some enjoyible smokyness and leather aspects. the finish was a big short and the fruit would come and good. If you have this pop now. As a friend said hopefully it's just going through a dumb phase!
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Decanted 2 hours. Initial nose is off-putting with charred wood and medicinal herbs. Some sweet fruit started showing through with time but this element went away. Tart red and black fruit on entry with the herbal character continuing in the flavors. This is drying up. Another bottle several months ago was similar. Drink up.
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Cassis, olive, menthol with ripe vanilla and plum notes on the lush mouthfeel. This is at peak and a very good example of high quality Washington wine. There is a hint of herbaciousness which is pleasing and not overly green.
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Cardinal Sept Wine Tasting (Cardinal Liquors and Wine, Crystal Lake, IL): Delivers what WA wines do extremely well - Rich, elegant ripe fruit with great depth and complexity. Ripe, almost liqueur like black/red fruits, with chocolate, spice and cedar on the nose. Layered fruit flavors explode in the mouth, and are held together by round, polished tannins and a seemingly endless finish. Very hedonistic effort. A mere 1200 cases made.
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This wine is still a long way from being ready. It has tons of tannin and acidity that still sticks out way too much. Also the oak on the nose need to integrate. Huge frui though and showing lots of potential. Wait 5+ years in my opinion.
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a luscious Mocha-dark chocolate-rasberry fused nose backed by fat fruit palate and tangy tannins. I can see this wine getting better with another year of age on it to settle down those tannins.
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Maybe starting to come around the corner? This was a reasonably dense wine that was starting to develop secondary characteristics. I don't recall a wine that has changed this much.
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Med ruby w/purplish tints, aromas of blackberry, plum, currant, hint of herb & wood, somewhat closed, more wood w/air, b3+, a3, t3, great balance, velvety fruit, tangy structure, good grip, d2, not bad, tart, slightly austere with a woody, dusty streak (5)
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Tasted January 24, 2004 at home with a dinner of Grilled Ostrich Filets, Garlic Mashed Potatos and Swiss Chard (tasting notes made prior to dinner). The wine was a gift from budman so no pricing information. Thank you so much budman! 13.9% alcohol by volume. Wine is a blend of 60% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Wine was opened and decanted 2 hours before serving in Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glasses. Cork was beautiful when opened. Deep and dark at the tip with only a 1/8 of an inch saturation; no wine marks down the side. There was only a tiny bit of sediment when decanted. Color was Purple with some slightly opaque Violet hues while laying the wine towards its’ side. Nose of chocolate, cedar and plum. Tannins were smooth and the acidity fresh and enjoyable. Fruit is a little towards the delicate side (could be the decanting) and the alcohol is just right. Overall balance is good. Flavors of cherry, plum, mocha and some very pleasing spice notes on the medium finish. Good middle of the road body weight with an agreeable consistency, structure and complexity. Not a great wine but a pleasant wine. Drinking window is now with 1 hour decanting (I decanted too long) or it should drink well 2006-2009. 90-91 WIML points. I don’t know the cost but based on release prices I’d say the value here is acceptable.
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This was my payoff from the King for winning the the bet on the Cubs/Yankees series earlier this year. He brought it to Gabrielle and gave it to me there (rightfully assuming that it would probably get opened). Well it survived the first 3 hours intact until I excused myself to go outside to pawn a cigar off Seaquam. When I came back in I caught chef Greg Sonnier holding my bottle with a corkscrew in his hand. Well after he begged and pleaded for a while I gave in and let him pull the cork (how could I refuse after he cooked such a fantastic meal for us). This was just as good as the first time I had it. An excellent wine with similar notes. Still a 92-93 pointer.
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This wine is 60% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. It had a dark crimson color. Yet another full bodied wine with intense flavors of raspberry, currant and dark chocolate. This wine is drinking well now but a bit more aging won't hurt. It had a deeper profile of flavor than the other wines of the night which is the reason it gets the most points from me. Modern style wine. 92-93 points.
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1/24/2013 - Brandon Sparks-Gillis Likes this wine:
Drink up. The nose is beautiful with layers of rich fruit (dusty plum, boysenberry, sweet black cherry) mingling with iron and just a hint of truffle. The sweetness and brightness of the fruit is classic Washington, even at this age, and is nicely complemented by the subtle earth and wood. Still enjoyable tonight, but the fruit is starting to dim on the palate.
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3/10/2012 - MoreWinePlease wrote: 88 Points
Drink up as I don't see this getting any better. A little VA. A few years ago I'd have given this a 93+
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12/19/2011 - spectrumphoto wrote: 87 Points
the prime has come and gone. Its showing bordeaux blend but its soft and well its time to move on. A great wine in its prime
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9/15/2011 - welchcellars wrote: 89 Points
A nice wine but a bit to much alchohol on the palate.
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9/5/2011 - hsacks wrote: 89 Points
A fully mature but still delicious version of the 10/14/09 bottle.
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3/6/2011 - redforlife wrote: 90 Points
Very dark plum-colored in the glass. Nose of dark fruits and chocolate. Tannins have moderated nicely with a nice viscous mouth feel. Paired nicely with NY strip.
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1/15/2011 - Sauvyfan Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nose of blackberry, damp earth, doused campfire and alcohol heat. Had a youthful appearence of bright red. The Uriah had a superb mouthfeel, yet still very tannic. Black fruit, roasted red pepper and soy sauce on the palate. This effort began to open to more red fruits after an hour. Great acid on the finish expresses to me that the structure will outlast the fruit in the cellar. It definately got juicy and softer on the finish by glass three, (90 minute mark). Definitely recommend decanting.
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12/11/2010 - SEP wrote: 93 Points
Was feeling that this wine might be reaching its EOL, but was surprised to find in drinking quite nicely, with perhaps antiher couple of years left in the cellar. Excellent red fruit (cherries) with anise on the finish. Very fine tannins on this medium bodied blend.
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2/21/2010 - hrvinson wrote: 93 Points
The wine was a dark rich plum color. The aroma had a nice spice, hints of cedar, dark fruit and chocolate for the nose. The real treat was the taste, with the wine having huge tannins that filled your mouth and dry up quickly for a subtle finish. I will be looking for more of this vintage.
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12/30/2009 - Old Sparky wrote: 74 Points
Disappointing... Not corked but something was wrong. Maybe just a bad bottle. Color was still nice, but no fruit, tart, acidic and funky. Definitely not what I remember this wine to be. Last 2000, but still have 01,02,03,04... so hopefully those will taste better.
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10/14/2009 - hsacks wrote: 91 Points
Dark red color with clear rim. Aromas of black fruits, mocha, cedar and spice. Ripe, nicely structured fruit in the mouth very good depth and length. Characteristic lush and sauve mouthfeel. Still very fresh and youthful.
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5/10/2009 - vancouvermatt wrote: 93 Points
Just fantastic. Lush, dark fruits, great finish.
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1/26/2009 - Scruff wrote: 95 Points
Opened for 2+ hours prior. This is great. On the nose raspberries, spices, cedar and ash. Very lush mouth feel with dark red fruits that are seemlessly integrated with a hint of vanilla, pepper and herbs of the finish. Last of 6 bottles and drinking so well now. Wish I had more!
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8/23/2008 - beaver wrote: 95 Points
ausume - don't know if it can get better
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4/25/2008 - TashNYC wrote: 95 Points
On April's birthday in Brooklyn. With April, May, Kay, Jen and I. This is one of the nicest wines we've had in a long time.
Drinking just perfectly, with lots of dark, black & red fruit, wood, chocolate and some spice. Could have fooled me for
a St. Emilion. Delicious!
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4/5/2008 - raadams wrote: 93 Points
Medium-bodied with notes of cherry, dark fruits, and picking up some secondary notes of spice, leather, and caramel. Very lush.
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2/2/2008 - bajayngo wrote:
kind of a bummer cuz it was over the hill. Tart berries, it had lost the beautiful velvety mouthfeel I've come to know and love in Spring Valley. But there was some enjoyible smokyness and leather aspects. the finish was a big short and the fruit would come and good. If you have this pop now. As a friend said hopefully it's just going through a dumb phase!
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1/13/2008 - jfagan wrote: 86 Points
Decanted 2 hours.
Initial nose is off-putting with charred wood and medicinal herbs. Some sweet fruit started showing through with time but this element went away. Tart red and black fruit on entry with the herbal character continuing in the flavors. This is drying up. Another bottle several months ago was similar. Drink up.
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12/28/2007 - rmodak wrote: 91 Points
Cassis, olive, menthol with ripe vanilla and plum notes on the lush mouthfeel. This is at peak and a very good example of high quality Washington wine. There is a hint of herbaciousness which is pleasing and not overly green.
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9/24/2006 - GolferChris wrote: 93 Points
Cardinal Sept Wine Tasting (Cardinal Liquors and Wine, Crystal Lake, IL): Delivers what WA wines do extremely well - Rich, elegant ripe fruit with great depth and complexity. Ripe, almost liqueur like black/red fruits, with chocolate, spice and cedar on the nose. Layered fruit flavors explode in the mouth, and are held together by round, polished tannins and a seemingly endless finish. Very hedonistic effort. A mere 1200 cases made.
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3/26/2006 - wvisser wrote: 89 Points
This wine is still a long way from being ready. It has tons of tannin and acidity that still sticks out way too much. Also the oak on the nose need to integrate. Huge frui though and showing lots of potential. Wait 5+ years in my opinion.
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3/1/2006 - Easter Everywhere wrote: 78 Points
Decent flavors, plenty of charred wood, out of balance, harsh & acidic
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9/22/2005 - amred wrote: 92 Points
8/03: Was still young and a bit closed. Wonderful nose. Good cherry fruit, but a bit herbal...perhaps the cedar. Very well-made wine.
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6/27/2005 - R2-D2 wrote: 92 Points
a luscious Mocha-dark chocolate-rasberry fused nose backed by fat fruit palate and tangy tannins. I can see this wine getting better with another year of age on it to settle down those tannins.
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6/1/2005 - caldwell wrote:
Maybe starting to come around the corner? This was a reasonably dense wine that was starting to develop secondary characteristics. I don't recall a wine that has changed this much.
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11/1/2004 - Easter Everywhere wrote: 84 Points
Med ruby w/purplish tints, aromas of blackberry, plum, currant, hint of herb & wood, somewhat closed, more wood w/air, b3+, a3, t3, great balance, velvety fruit, tangy structure, good grip, d2, not bad, tart, slightly austere with a woody, dusty streak (5)
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1/24/2004 - wineismylife wrote: 90 Points
Tasted January 24, 2004 at home with a dinner of Grilled Ostrich Filets, Garlic Mashed Potatos and Swiss Chard (tasting notes made prior to dinner). The wine was a gift from budman so no pricing information. Thank you so much budman! 13.9% alcohol by volume. Wine is a blend of 60% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Wine was opened and decanted 2 hours before serving in Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glasses. Cork was beautiful when opened. Deep and dark at the tip with only a 1/8 of an inch saturation; no wine marks down the side. There was only a tiny bit of sediment when decanted. Color was Purple with some slightly opaque Violet hues while laying the wine towards its’ side. Nose of chocolate, cedar and plum. Tannins were smooth and the acidity fresh and enjoyable. Fruit is a little towards the delicate side (could be the decanting) and the alcohol is just right. Overall balance is good. Flavors of cherry, plum, mocha and some very pleasing spice notes on the medium finish. Good middle of the road body weight with an agreeable consistency, structure and complexity. Not a great wine but a pleasant wine. Drinking window is now with 1 hour decanting (I decanted too long) or it should drink well 2006-2009. 90-91 WIML points. I don’t know the cost but based on release prices I’d say the value here is acceptable.
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7/15/2003 - Vino Me wrote: 93 Points
This was my payoff from the King for winning the the bet on the Cubs/Yankees series earlier this year. He brought it to Gabrielle and gave it to me there (rightfully assuming that it would probably get opened). Well it survived the first 3 hours intact until I excused myself to go outside to pawn a cigar off Seaquam. When I came back in I caught chef Greg Sonnier holding my bottle with a corkscrew in his hand. Well after he begged and pleaded for a while I gave in and let him pull the cork (how could I refuse after he cooked such a fantastic meal for us). This was just as good as the first time I had it. An excellent wine with similar notes. Still a 92-93 pointer.
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1/1/2003 - caldwell wrote:
Killer Merlot. Soft, fruity, complex. Dad will love this stuff.
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11/12/2002 - Vino Me wrote: 92 Points
This wine is 60% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. It had a dark crimson color. Yet another full bodied wine with intense flavors of raspberry, currant and dark chocolate. This wine is drinking well now but a bit more aging won't hurt. It had a deeper profile of flavor than the other wines of the night which is the reason it gets the most points from me. Modern style wine. 92-93 points.
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