Slo-oxed for about 20 minutes, but a short decant might be better. Small amount of sediment in the bottle. A very nice cabernet from the 'Chaine d'Or' (Sta Cruz Mtns). Certainly not a Napa powerhouse, but very respectable. Lots of dark red fruit, cassis and earth tones on the nose. These follow on to the medium bodied palate along with a touch of tobacco and nicely balancing acidity. The tannins are integrated and the finish is very pleasant. Will probably hold for a few more years.
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Napa cabernets are getting wildly expensive so I have been checking out wines from other areas. This one from Big Basin is a pretty good value for the money. A little tight and tannic on the first day but I had to pop and pour. The second day much more open and inviting.
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Opaque black red color with appealing dark fruit, tobacco, graphite, eucalyptus, subtle spice aromas. On the palate it's light-bodied, fresh, elegant and well-balanced with black raspberry, cassis, plum and cacao flavors with a nuanced herbaceousness and a mineral driving lingering finish! 14.5 abv. 167 cases produced.
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Book Club (Patty's Place): Blind. Guessed zin but I really had no idea. Seiber said Cabernet and when he says Cab blind you better pay attention. For me, there's nothing resembling a cab here because I'm picking up cherry and zin qualities. Fruit forward.
Scoreboard for the Brig vs Seiber Blind Cab challenge: 0 - 39
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Served blind. I didn't care much for this. I am not much of a Cab drinker and to go further, this drank with a lot of berry and hard candy notes. I even put down the descriptor of Red Hots. I dig this winery and think their new vision for Pinot Noir is becoming spot on. I just didn't take to this Cab, however.
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Really nice nose, nothing like a napa cab. Lighter, more fruit, complex. Med acidity, baking spice nose, but not overtly oaky. Reminds me of dry creek flavors. It will be interesting to watch this as it ages.
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Good acidity and light tannins, but dominated by the fruit. Clear, clean, and very tasty. This is actually very good right now. This doesn't scream that it will last 20-30 years, like say a Ridge. It does seem like it will last 10-15 years very nicely and, unlike Ridge, it is a very easy drinking young wine as well.
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Aroma: Jammy blackberry with a touch of menthol. Palate: Fruit driven with notes of tobacco and wood spice. A simple but well-made early-drinking quaffer.
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1/8/2022 - sababa1022 Likes this wine: 91 Points
At 11 years, a mellow Cabernet, true to its region, drinking great with Freds steak.
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12/7/2019 - VlgJeff wrote: 92 Points
Slo-oxed for about 20 minutes, but a short decant might be better. Small amount of sediment in the bottle. A very nice cabernet from the 'Chaine d'Or' (Sta Cruz Mtns). Certainly not a Napa powerhouse, but very respectable. Lots of dark red fruit, cassis and earth tones on the nose. These follow on to the medium bodied palate along with a touch of tobacco and nicely balancing acidity. The tannins are integrated and the finish is very pleasant. Will probably hold for a few more years.
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9/25/2018 - Wine_in_HD wrote: 94 Points
Improved from when I tasted this wine last year. Great wine at a great value.
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8/26/2017 - ClaytonDave Likes this wine: 92 Points
Classic cab nose. Subtle on the palate with raspberry and cassis notes. Brief decant and got better over an hour. A fine effort and a good value.
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5/31/2017 - floydtp wrote: 91 Points
A bit young still even with a few hours of air but approachable now. Should have several years ahead of it.
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1/22/2017 - jemccray64 wrote: 94 Points
Beautiful cab. Strawberry, Green pepper, herbs and some wet Santa Cruz mountain earth.
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11/29/2016 - Wine_in_HD wrote: 91 Points
Napa cabernets are getting wildly expensive so I have been checking out wines from other areas. This one from Big Basin is a pretty good value for the money. A little tight and tannic on the first day but I had to pop and pour. The second day much more open and inviting.
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10/5/2016 - Martin Redmond Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opaque black red color with appealing dark fruit, tobacco, graphite, eucalyptus, subtle spice aromas. On the palate it's light-bodied, fresh, elegant and well-balanced with black raspberry, cassis, plum and cacao flavors with a nuanced herbaceousness and a mineral driving lingering finish! 14.5 abv. 167 cases produced.
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8/29/2015 - brigcampbell wrote:
Book Club (Patty's Place): Blind. Guessed zin but I really had no idea. Seiber said Cabernet and when he says Cab blind you better pay attention. For me, there's nothing resembling a cab here because I'm picking up cherry and zin qualities. Fruit forward.
Scoreboard for the Brig vs Seiber Blind Cab challenge: 0 - 39
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8/28/2015 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Served blind. I didn't care much for this. I am not much of a Cab drinker and to go further, this drank with a lot of berry and hard candy notes. I even put down the descriptor of Red Hots. I dig this winery and think their new vision for Pinot Noir is becoming spot on. I just didn't take to this Cab, however.
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12/25/2014 - Mtnmd1 Likes this wine:
My first taste. Medium to light intensity cab. Will try the next in a year or so
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6/19/2014 - Caligrrl Likes this wine:
Really nice nose, nothing like a napa cab. Lighter, more fruit, complex.
Med acidity, baking spice nose, but not overtly oaky. Reminds me of dry creek flavors. It will be interesting to watch this as it ages.
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5/7/2014 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very rich and deep with great acid balance. Moderate tannins. Extremely enjoyable.
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4/14/2014 - missionpk Likes this wine: 91 Points
Good acidity and light tannins, but dominated by the fruit. Clear, clean, and very tasty. This is actually very good right now. This doesn't scream that it will last 20-30 years, like say a Ridge. It does seem like it will last 10-15 years very nicely and, unlike Ridge, it is a very easy drinking young wine as well.
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3/1/2014 - kosinski wrote:
Aroma: Jammy blackberry with a touch of menthol.
Palate: Fruit driven with notes of tobacco and wood spice. A simple but well-made early-drinking quaffer.
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