Opened and aerated in glass for about 2 hours, drank over about an hour, served with grilled flank steak, mashed potatoes and green beans. I related 94, wife rated 92, so averaged our ratings.
In brief, a great expression of an aged Napa cabernet, other tasting notes captured the profile well. This definitely needed time to open up so give it time in a decanter or the glass- tried it right away and it was very muted and disjointed, but came together very nicely by the time we had dinner.
Nose had hints of dark fruit, menthol, eucalyptus, and a bit of dust. Flavors of subtle blackberry, black cherry, dark fruits, cocoa powder, graphite, dry acidity, well integrated tannins, medium-long finish.
As excellent as this was, I think the overall profile was a little muted, not sure if it was this bottle/how it was stored (in a basement below ground but not temp controlled), or if it's passing its prime (my opinion). Again, it was excellent, but I bet a year or so ago it was even better.
If you have any, I would drink it up!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Oh boy, oh wow, oh boy! First off, a nose to die for: menthol and eucalyptus, and dusty, with some sharp dark fruit. Then on the palate you get all those nuances, but with rich, cool dark fruit firmly at the center, and it's so fresh, and so 'light', and so balanced, and the finish is rich and full and long. Pure, refreshing, characterful, delicious, and flavorful. From one and only one unforgettable glass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I recall it was a grand wine (like most B.O.'s), but it has been too long since I drank it to provide any notes. All I recall it that it is drinkable now, but has a reasonably long life to go.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose: distinctive eucalyptus nose Palate: dry, tart, blueberries, cherries. I don't know how to explain it, but from the first whiff it was spectacular. I tasted it after 3 other very fine cabernets and this was the one for me. Also, a piece of history, as this is the last Bella Oaks from Heitz.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
9/3/2021 - mdkraft99 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Opened and aerated in glass for about 2 hours, drank over about an hour, served with grilled flank steak, mashed potatoes and green beans. I related 94, wife rated 92, so averaged our ratings.
In brief, a great expression of an aged Napa cabernet, other tasting notes captured the profile well. This definitely needed time to open up so give it time in a decanter or the glass- tried it right away and it was very muted and disjointed, but came together very nicely by the time we had dinner.
Nose had hints of dark fruit, menthol, eucalyptus, and a bit of dust. Flavors of subtle blackberry, black cherry, dark fruits, cocoa powder, graphite, dry acidity, well integrated tannins, medium-long finish.
As excellent as this was, I think the overall profile was a little muted, not sure if it was this bottle/how it was stored (in a basement below ground but not temp controlled), or if it's passing its prime (my opinion). Again, it was excellent, but I bet a year or so ago it was even better.
If you have any, I would drink it up!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/18/2021 - Landreux Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drank with Prime Rib
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/10/2020 - Woody18 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Now subtle dark fruit. Dry. Nice, long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/3/2019 - Necowine Likes this wine: 95 Points
Oh boy, oh wow, oh boy! First off, a nose to die for: menthol and eucalyptus, and dusty, with some sharp dark fruit. Then on the palate you get all those nuances, but with rich, cool dark fruit firmly at the center, and it's so fresh, and so 'light', and so balanced, and the finish is rich and full and long. Pure, refreshing, characterful, delicious, and flavorful. From one and only one unforgettable glass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/6/2017 - stbraunt Likes this wine: 93 Points
Fantastic 2007 cab. Paired perfectly with steak dinner. Rich but not too sweet. Great value.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/21/2016 - BobMilton Likes this wine: 93 Points
Rich, fruit-forward (cherries mostly), full-bodied, amooth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/15/2013 - wine_snob wrote: 90 Points
@Jeff is on the money. opens nice but the finish after some exposure to. oxygen is a tad too tannic.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/28/2013 - redwiner Likes this wine: 91 Points
I recall it was a grand wine (like most B.O.'s), but it has been too long since I drank it to provide any notes. All I recall it that it is drinkable now, but has a reasonably long life to go.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/23/2013 - BlancdeBlanc Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nose: distinctive eucalyptus nose Palate: dry, tart, blueberries, cherries. I don't know how to explain it, but from the first whiff it was spectacular. I tasted it after 3 other very fine cabernets and this was the one for me. Also, a piece of history, as this is the last Bella Oaks from Heitz.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/3/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 83 Points
High toned, with bright red fruit, earth and tobacco. Medium bodied with a short, tannic, tart, red cherry finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/13/2012 - tychill wrote: 90 Points
Lots of leather and cherry on the nose. Cherries on the palate. Medium tannins round out the mouth. Quite smooth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment