A very nice surprise here. Not knowing if either the producer or vintage would stand up to aging, I really enjoyed this bottle. Wine shows a nice medium purple/crimson red with evident bricking at the rim. Nose was just a touch "wobbly" on first approach as some of the more stewed elements dominated but this quickly gave way to nice notes of cassis, black currant, and baking spices. Palate also started a bit discombobuated but found its footing with nicely rounded tannin, medium viscosity and a nicely complimented beam of mature fruit. Apparently this wine has some merlot in it, but this was not apparent to me - I would've guessed 100% cab if asked blind, given the structure still appeared to be somewhat shy of maturity at 17yrs. I haven't tried their single vineyard bottling but this line strikes me as offering the best value. Very glad I tried this.
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Every palate is different and this wine was a little light in both texture and finish. The wine was smooth and moderate lasting with a low acidity and light tannins, but was alos light on the dark fruit and currant that I enjoy in my cabs. I can't say I disliked it OR either state that I was over impressed, but it does fit those persons who prefer a Pinot Noir, but occasionally drink a cabernet. Definite consume soon (within 12 - 18 months).
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Luscious and velvety smooth with all sorts of florals and aromatics and mouthfeel at 16 years old! This bottle really could have gone another year or two before any major loss of body or fruit. We enjoyed this wine w grilled steaks and veggies.
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I was very surprised that this wine held up great from a vintage not well known for aging. Fruit was still bright, tannins were still present and the wine was well balanced.
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Holding up nicely. Fruit is not as front and center as I would have expected, and it feels a little hollow without it. Just too heavy and high-alcohol for me to enjoy too much.
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Bummer - waited too long to drink this. Color is a bit off and fruit is gone past. Aroma is a bit flat, as well. Not horrible, but past it's prime! Sad :-(
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Fantastic. The best descriptor that comes to mind is "mellow" -- round, no sharp edges. A nice melange of aromas -- currant, dill, and a hint of tobacco, bell pepper, and white pepper. Palate is pure raspberry, with some currant leading to a mildly spicy finish. Decent acidity and soft tannin. No alcohol showing. Seems to be in its sweet spot now (which makes the "drink by 2009" recommendation in WS a joke) and not likely to decline any time soon.
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Had this bottle for 6 years in my cellar and decided to open it today. The bouquet just jumps out of the glasses with black courant and vanilla notes, also just a hint of oak. On the palate the wine is very soft and supple with hints of raspberry, vanilla and the finish stays with you for a while. I've always been a fan of duckboard and this one does not disappoint
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Vanilla/Oak nose with blackberry. Smooth mouthfeel, dark fruits, black currant with some valilla/oak. Slight tannins and low acidity. Pretty good Cali Cab but typical and maybe should have drank earlier. Can get better or same quality wine for the $$. Drink now.
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Beautiful balanced ripe and bright California Cabernet. Classic Duckhorn Merlot-like qualities throughout. Beautiful dark red berries. Dark cherry, raspberry, vanilla and soft leather. Beautiful finish. Well balanced with moderate high alcohol, acidity and tannins. Beautiful integration of the elements. Lovely charcoal aromas and flavors on the back palate. This is a solid effort. Can't wait to try the Estate.
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The nose had blackberry and some red fruit aromas with some oak. I didn't notice any earthy aromas this tasting. The palate was very smooth initially, but seemed to gain intensity up to the finish. Currant flavors were the most predominant, but again I thought the finish was fairly short.
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Received as a gift so cannot comment on the value, but this wine was a dark and appealing purple in the glass with a rich nose that was immediately attractive with long lasting and complex mixes of black cherry and blackberry with hints of ginger and bell pepper. On taste it was chewy and ripe with aforementioned aromas and some oak. The tannins and acids were well balanced and went great with steak, although for the most part the wine was consumed after the main meal. As a standalone wine without food it was also excellent. I enjoyed this wine a lot.
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dark purple/opaque, forward nose of currant and plum fruit with vanilla/cinnamon with herbal note, full bodied with plush mouthfeel, velvety tannins with smooth but fairly short finish, acidity low, not that much different than the Merlot. Nice wine but overpriced. Typical steakhouse Cab. 1G (Republic, 45.00)
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Holiday Wine Tasting: Nose of jammy fruits and earth. Big currant flavors and some oak. Mouthfeel was pretty good, and the finish was very powerful, but not that long. Good wine, but not the best value.
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Once again, Duckhorn crafts a wine that is so explosive with soft and ripe fruits it makes you want to sip it all night....without food. I did have a prime steak paired with it, but it may have overpowered the steak if that is possible. This wine was chewy, with luscious blackberry and chocolate notes (merlot like at first), and reminiscent of over the top cali cabs, but as it opened it was beautiful. Duckhorn is a huge name, but they back it up vintage after vintage with incredible wines.
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2/6/2021 - hrazdiiv Likes this wine: 91 Points
A very nice surprise here. Not knowing if either the producer or vintage would stand up to aging, I really enjoyed this bottle. Wine shows a nice medium purple/crimson red with evident bricking at the rim. Nose was just a touch "wobbly" on first approach as some of the more stewed elements dominated but this quickly gave way to nice notes of cassis, black currant, and baking spices. Palate also started a bit discombobuated but found its footing with nicely rounded tannin, medium viscosity and a nicely complimented beam of mature fruit. Apparently this wine has some merlot in it, but this was not apparent to me - I would've guessed 100% cab if asked blind, given the structure still appeared to be somewhat shy of maturity at 17yrs. I haven't tried their single vineyard bottling but this line strikes me as offering the best value. Very glad I tried this.
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9/14/2019 - Mortgage92 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Every palate is different and this wine was a little light in both texture and finish. The wine was smooth and moderate lasting with a low acidity and light tannins, but was alos light on the dark fruit and currant that I enjoy in my cabs. I can't say I disliked it OR either state that I was over impressed, but it does fit those persons who prefer a Pinot Noir, but occasionally drink a cabernet. Definite consume soon (within 12 - 18 months).
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5/31/2019 - mattlieber Likes this wine: 91 Points
Luscious and velvety smooth with all sorts of florals and aromatics and mouthfeel at 16 years old! This bottle really could have gone another year or two before any major loss of body or fruit. We enjoyed this wine w grilled steaks and veggies.
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3/5/2017 - Tarpon222 wrote: 90 Points
Enjoyed along with some other older Napa cabs. This one won out. Of course, fruit is gone but still Very nice.
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6/29/2016 - vkcellars wrote: 92 Points
I was very surprised that this wine held up great from a vintage not well known for aging. Fruit was still bright, tannins were still present and the wine was well balanced.
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6/25/2016 - Harddriv wrote:
Sadly too far gone. Had to pour it out.
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2/23/2014 - christyler wrote: 87 Points
Holding up nicely. Fruit is not as front and center as I would have expected, and it feels a little hollow without it. Just too heavy and high-alcohol for me to enjoy too much.
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1/12/2014 - PLesaffre wrote: 83 Points
Bummer - waited too long to drink this. Color is a bit off and fruit is gone past. Aroma is a bit flat, as well. Not horrible, but past it's prime! Sad :-(
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11/16/2013 - JOJ wrote: 93 Points
Fantastic. The best descriptor that comes to mind is "mellow" -- round, no sharp edges. A nice melange of aromas -- currant, dill, and a hint of tobacco, bell pepper, and white pepper. Palate is pure raspberry, with some currant leading to a mildly spicy finish. Decent acidity and soft tannin. No alcohol showing. Seems to be in its sweet spot now (which makes the "drink by 2009" recommendation in WS a joke) and not likely to decline any time soon.
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7/6/2013 - Gymcoach11 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Had this bottle for 6 years in my cellar and decided to open it today. The bouquet just jumps out of the glasses with black courant and vanilla notes, also just a hint of oak. On the palate the wine is very soft and supple with hints of raspberry, vanilla and the finish stays with you for a while. I've always been a fan of duckboard and this one does not disappoint
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11/16/2012 - gabird wrote: 92 Points
rich and full with berries throughout.
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12/25/2011 - mouton45 wrote: 88 Points
With Christmas Day dinner. Nice wine but nothing special
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3/21/2011 - Harddriv wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for about 1 1/2 hours. Smooth and supple balanced Cab. Great wine.
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5/23/2010 - Ali2615 wrote: 89 Points
a bit musty with a slightly sweet finish. tasted a little tired. firm tannins. oaky. dark red berries.
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot
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7/26/2009 - J2K wrote: 91 Points
Vanilla/Oak nose with blackberry. Smooth mouthfeel, dark fruits, black currant with some valilla/oak. Slight tannins and low acidity. Pretty good Cali Cab but typical and maybe should have drank earlier. Can get better or same quality wine for the $$. Drink now.
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11/5/2008 - beezer6 wrote: 92 Points
Beautiful balanced ripe and bright California Cabernet.
Classic Duckhorn Merlot-like qualities throughout.
Beautiful dark red berries. Dark cherry, raspberry, vanilla and soft leather.
Beautiful finish. Well balanced with moderate high alcohol, acidity and tannins. Beautiful integration of the elements.
Lovely charcoal aromas and flavors on the back palate.
This is a solid effort. Can't wait to try the Estate.
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8/18/2007 - last chance wrote: 91 Points
The nose had blackberry and some red fruit aromas with some oak. I didn't notice any earthy aromas this tasting. The palate was very smooth initially, but seemed to gain intensity up to the finish. Currant flavors were the most predominant, but again I thought the finish was fairly short.
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8/7/2007 - gmarcos wrote: 91 Points
Received as a gift so cannot comment on the value, but this wine was a dark and appealing purple in the glass with a rich nose that was immediately attractive with long lasting and complex mixes of black cherry and blackberry with hints of ginger and bell pepper. On taste it was chewy and ripe with aforementioned aromas and some oak. The tannins and acids were well balanced and went great with steak, although for the most part the wine was consumed after the main meal. As a standalone wine without food it was also excellent. I enjoyed this wine a lot.
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6/24/2007 - elpasset wrote: 89 Points
Very smooth
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2/14/2007 - Barberolo wrote:
dark purple/opaque, forward nose of currant and plum fruit with vanilla/cinnamon with herbal note, full bodied with plush mouthfeel, velvety tannins with smooth but fairly short finish, acidity low, not that much different than the Merlot. Nice wine but overpriced. Typical steakhouse Cab. 1G (Republic, 45.00)
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12/9/2006 - last chance wrote: 90 Points
Holiday Wine Tasting: Nose of jammy fruits and earth. Big currant flavors and some oak. Mouthfeel was pretty good, and the finish was very powerful, but not that long. Good wine, but not the best value.
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9/16/2006 - Sausalito wrote:
very smooth, very duckhorn. not as good as dh merlot's. opened up at about one hour.
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8/29/2006 - napaJ6 wrote: 92 Points
Once again, Duckhorn crafts a wine that is so explosive with soft and ripe fruits it makes you want to sip it all night....without food. I did have a prime steak paired with it, but it may have overpowered the steak if that is possible. This wine was chewy, with luscious blackberry and chocolate notes (merlot like at first), and reminiscent of over the top cali cabs, but as it opened it was beautiful. Duckhorn is a huge name, but they back it up vintage after vintage with incredible wines.
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