This wine has aged gracefully, and has definitely benefited greatly from more than a decade in the cellar. The tannins are soft and mellow, there is still some nice red and black fruit, with a smooth and well-balanced finish. This is probably around its peak, but should still have a few good years left.
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Still flaunting a youthful opaque crimson color, Crocker & Starr's 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (which includes a 5% dollop of Petit Verdot) delivers a core of dark plum and black currant fruit that is prominently accented with notes of menthol, dried herbs, tobacco and licorice. Full-bodied and heavily extracted, its tannins and oak have better integrated than when last tasted 8/5/2019. The alcohol (listed as 14.5%) is well-woven and the mid-palate is solid, but there remains a fairly strong leafy component on the lengthy back end. Although clearly improving with time in the cellar, this will never be one of Pam Starr's top Stone Place Cabs. This particular bottle was decanted off of its sediment and serially sampled over a three-hour period. Give it an hour or more in carafe if possible. Drink now-2031.
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Drink now (or in the next year)....this wine is pouring perfect for a Crocker & Starr production. Beautiful dark fruit flavors and aromas, mild acidity, balanced tannins, and lasting finish. What makes this wine great....great wine for the money...this is definitely worth the cost, in fact it is a value. P.S. you can think about slightly extending the :drink window".
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BOLD - I think that sums it up. This is the type of wine I enjoy, but others like a little milder (ok, I guess you could tone it down a bit). Black fruit, currant, leather, slight spice...Ok you have an idea now. Aging...Yes another 5 years....will try again then, God willing.
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Crocker & Starr's 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon includes a 5% dollop of Petit Verdot. Still a youthful opaque crimson in color, it delivers a core of dark plum and black currant fruit, but the fruit components are overshadowed by notes of menthol, dried herbs, tobacco and licorice. Full-bodied, heavily extracted and with big chewy tannins, it hides its 14.5% alcohol relatively well, but its substantial oak exposure is not subtle. Closing with a long but green leafy finish, this lacks the charm of other Crocker & Starr Cabernet Sauvignon vintages. Even Pam Starr could not work magic with the 2011 vintage. I suspect that the tannins and green elements in this wine will ultimately outlast the fruit. Drink now-2026.
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Maybe it was low expectations of the wet 2011 vintage, but I was very pleasantly surprised by this wine. It exuded a brightness, Deep berry flavors, Very balanced and smooth mouthfeel and a soft Tapering finish. I have 5 more and will drink over next 1-3 years
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I liked this wine - it needed decanting for several hours. I tried it after four and it still had a trace of vegetal-ish taste. But after six hours that had disappeared and it was lucious and had lots of depth. Not sure it’s worth $100...
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a lot of berry, particularly black berry. The finish is excellent (thus the 91), very smooth and nice finish. Texture is as expected from a CA cab. This wine will drink well over the next 5 years (until 2021). Planning on drinking a bottle per year.
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I may have been drinking this too early. I didn't take detailed notes the evening I drank this, but it was smooth and very enjoyable as a nice compliment to filet mignon.
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Had as a pop and pour at restaurant. Pleasant but not exciting, especially for the price. Raspberry was the most distinctive taste I can remember, with perhaps some vegetal aftertaste. Smooth, but not the typical big Napa Cab I expect in this price range. Maybe will improve with some cellaring or decanting.
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4/18/2024 - sonodoc Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine has aged gracefully, and has definitely benefited greatly from more than a decade in the cellar. The tannins are soft and mellow, there is still some nice red and black fruit, with a smooth and well-balanced finish. This is probably around its peak, but should still have a few good years left.
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11/21/2022 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 89 Points
Still flaunting a youthful opaque crimson color, Crocker & Starr's 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (which includes a 5% dollop of Petit Verdot) delivers a core of dark plum and black currant fruit that is prominently accented with notes of menthol, dried herbs, tobacco and licorice. Full-bodied and heavily extracted, its tannins and oak have better integrated than when last tasted 8/5/2019. The alcohol (listed as 14.5%) is well-woven and the mid-palate is solid, but there remains a fairly strong leafy component on the lengthy back end. Although clearly improving with time in the cellar, this will never be one of Pam Starr's top Stone Place Cabs. This particular bottle was decanted off of its sediment and serially sampled over a three-hour period. Give it an hour or more in carafe if possible. Drink now-2031.
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10/19/2022 - Mortgage92 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drink now (or in the next year)....this wine is pouring perfect for a Crocker & Starr production. Beautiful dark fruit flavors and aromas, mild acidity, balanced tannins, and lasting finish. What makes this wine great....great wine for the money...this is definitely worth the cost, in fact it is a value. P.S. you can think about slightly extending the :drink window".
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6/22/2022 - Mdubnik wrote:
Drank over the course of two hours. Decanted. Tight. Didn’t open up. Needs more time in the cellar. Will drink again in 2-3 years.
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8/24/2021 - Nolch wrote: 94 Points
Excellent in about yr 2018
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12/31/2020 - nkromberg Likes this wine: 95 Points
Pam always makes a great wine. This was pulled to honor her birthday
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11/8/2020 - Mortgage92 Likes this wine: 90 Points
BOLD - I think that sums it up. This is the type of wine I enjoy, but others like a little milder (ok, I guess you could tone it down a bit). Black fruit, currant, leather, slight spice...Ok you have an idea now. Aging...Yes another 5 years....will try again then, God willing.
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1/25/2020 - WilliamF17 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Smooth and rich. Medium full body and solid through and through. Quality fruit with good finish and structure.
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8/5/2019 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 87 Points
Crocker & Starr's 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon includes a 5% dollop of Petit Verdot. Still a youthful opaque crimson in color, it delivers a core of dark plum and black currant fruit, but the fruit components are overshadowed by notes of menthol, dried herbs, tobacco and licorice. Full-bodied, heavily extracted and with big chewy tannins, it hides its 14.5% alcohol relatively well, but its substantial oak exposure is not subtle. Closing with a long but green leafy finish, this lacks the charm of other Crocker & Starr Cabernet Sauvignon vintages. Even Pam Starr could not work magic with the 2011 vintage. I suspect that the tannins and green elements in this wine will ultimately outlast the fruit. Drink now-2026.
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6/9/2019 - John F Likes this wine: 92 Points
Maybe it was low expectations of the wet 2011 vintage, but I was very pleasantly surprised by this wine. It exuded a brightness, Deep berry flavors, Very balanced and smooth mouthfeel and a soft Tapering finish. I have 5 more and will drink over next 1-3 years
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2/22/2019 - Chefcar Likes this wine: 92 Points
I liked this wine - it needed decanting for several hours. I tried it after four and it still had a trace of vegetal-ish taste. But after six hours that had disappeared and it was lucious and had lots of depth. Not sure it’s worth $100...
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6/4/2017 - Mortgage92 wrote: 91 Points
a lot of berry, particularly black berry. The finish is excellent (thus the 91), very smooth and nice finish. Texture is as expected from a CA cab. This wine will drink well over the next 5 years (until 2021). Planning on drinking a bottle per year.
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1/28/2017 - sonodoc Likes this wine: 92 Points
I may have been drinking this too early. I didn't take detailed notes the evening I drank this, but it was smooth and very enjoyable as a nice compliment to filet mignon.
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9/2/2016 - sonodoc Likes this wine: 91 Points
Enjoyed this a little more than in 2014, but still not overly impressed for the price.
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12/6/2014 - sonodoc wrote: 90 Points
Had as a pop and pour at restaurant. Pleasant but not exciting, especially for the price. Raspberry was the most distinctive taste I can remember, with perhaps some vegetal aftertaste. Smooth, but not the typical big Napa Cab I expect in this price range. Maybe will improve with some cellaring or decanting.
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