Ive consumed a 4-pack over the course of the past 4 years (about 1 per year). This was the first time that I actually enjoyed it. Secondaries are coming online nicely. Tannins are starting to back away from center stage. Not my style of wine. Not acidic enough. Very tannic and oak/fruit driven. Nothing restrained about this (except for the acidity!). Sweet. Tastes like fresh pressed fruit syrup stored in oak for an extended period of time. Paired well with ribeye. Pairing was questionable with country sausage and fried eggs.
I received this as a gift.I would not spend retail on this wine, but for my price it was excellent. If someone brings this to you as a gift, graciously except. If you are thinking of buying this for yourself.... you do you.
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Again - this is an outstanding wine with qualities that drive a strong QPR. Drank with some more notable (and expensive) Napa Cabs, and this stood right up. Dark, dry with complex fruit and earth. Drinking very nicely now.
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No detailed notes written, but attention was paid while we enjoyed our holiday meal last night. On opening the nose was lovely and could be easily sensed while decanting. The color was dark bing cherry skin red and very clear and pretty in the glass. Immediate taste on opening was somewhat candied and reductive and my first instinct was to pull another bottle just in case.
I went about my business preparing the holiday meal of 130 degree sous vide New York strip with rosemary zinfandel reduction, twice baked potatoes stuffed with sauteed onion and garlic and roasted red chili flake Brussels sprouts for the next 2-1/2 hours.
Once at the table, this CS was free from the opening night jitters and came to life as it took the stage with it's supporting cast of characters. The crimson actor was so comfortable playing in it's role, acting and reacting naturally to all of the other flavors. After the last act, the red fruits, oak, dust, smooth but firm tannins and lingering after taste all earned their way into the hearts of the audience.
Much derision has been leveled against this style. Some have called it simple, or foursquare and so be it. It's modern and clearly Napa. With the full benefit of hindsight I'm glad that I resisted the urge to pull another bottle, because this wine was damn good with food.
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Drank over 2 evenings. Dark purple in the glass, clear rim with plenty of legs. Black cherries, plum, hint of cassis, some leather. Started with notes of dry fruits and raisins but that cleared after an hour. Well structured, fruit forward and jammy, some acidity. Most elements in check but hot on the finish. Quite a typical cakebread cab. Quite well made, not my favourite style.
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During a Calif CabSav tasting. Tannic, extracted, lots of new oak, toast, sweet and a bit foresquare. Not so much my style, score higher if it is yours.
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Flavors were a bit muted. Still had great aromatics. Was drier than expected for a California Cabernet. Krissy liked it. Probably not worth the $65 price tag.
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Throw down vs. Chappellet. Dense fruit flavors. More balanced. Bigger and better body. Smooth and luscious. Didn’t need the steak to stand out. Overall winner - best vs. better. All good. Drinking well now.
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Very nice. I wondered if it was too soon, but it is approachable at this point. The nose tells you right away this is going to be nice. Just the right level of fruit for our taste, and the finish is full and complete. Was better as the night went on, so maybe a decant which we skipped. I think it will age well for another 8 - 10 years, but no need to wait. It will grow some - maybe 92\93. Cheers!
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Very good cab. Opened to compare to 1995 cab. Decanted for ~2 hours; still very big tannins. Very good fruit. Comparison to 1995 Cakebread cab says hold this another ~15-25 years...
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Pop and pour from a magnum. More of a serious wine than I was expecting. Chalky blackfruit, graphite, cassis, and earth. It almost has a roasted element to it with still high enough acid to keep it fresh. Needs 2-3 more years but for the most part it’s there now.
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Smoky, toasty oak tilts from mocha toward charcoal, providing a taut framework for the dry tannins and savory dried berry flavors. Drink now through 2028. 10,000 cases made.
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Nose and palate of cassis compote, vanilla and blueberries; very aggressive tannins that left my mouth feeling like it was filled with cotton batting; otherwise, well balanced and made for aging; will obviously benefit from a few years in the cellar
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Got off the wine list at Blue point in Cleveland for $85 which I thought was a good deal. Paired with a filet. The nose just felt a bit off, sour for sure and a bit of funk. Very thin, almost no finish, not that much fruit tasted, and just seems to not hold up to other napa cabs I've had. I'm blanking on my 2013 notes but just didn't have the same effect on me. This was my first cab from cake bread and I won't be seeking out again.
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Mundane, lacking personality. Not bad, but a completely forgettable Cali cab unfortunately. The sour thread is regrettable too - the finish has clipped wings.
Drank at Mortons Macau. Classic. Just love it here.
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Medium garnet, fairly vivid. Milk chocolate with red berries and grilled steak on the nose. Intense chocolate-covered red cherries with pomegranate, fairly unusual taste profile for a Cabernet. Quite tasty.
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Deep crimson. Tastes like a hot vintage, relatively high alcohol, slightly mealy texture, with rich and ripe aromas of plum, blackberry. Weighty. Medium length.
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Terrible QPR Highly acidic, medium body, not at all as expected in comparison to other vintages. Lacking in comparison to what other cabs are putting out for this vintage. Not interested in where this will evolve in the coming years as it is showing no signs of promise.
Color in glass is very thin at the edges, minimal legs, heavy tart alcohol on the palate.
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Deep ruby colour. The nose shows medium+ intensity aromas of cassis, black currants, hints of green bell peppper, cedar, clove, chocolate and tobacco leaf.
It is dry in the mouth with a medium+ acidity. It has high fine-grained tannins and a high alcohol. It is full-bodied with medium+ intensity flavours and a long finish.
It is a very good quality wine. It shows complexity provided by oak ageing, it has a lingering finish and a some acidity to provide freshness, but the fruit concentration is not enough to balance the alcohol.
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An aromatic wine right out of the gate at uncorking. Smoky currant and charred toast nose; as much Bordeaux as Californian characteristics. Full bodied palate. Very good flavor replays with sturdy tannins and balanced acidity. The fullness of the alcohol weighs on the finish.
Delightfully surprised with the 2013. I was anticipating another big, conventional, contemporary Californian and Cakebread delivered some genuine, traditional Cabernet (blend) characteristics. My only disappointment is in the high, 14.7% alcohol, but others will surely enjoy it for just that reason.
4/5
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MW Institute 2013 American Cabernet Tasting, nose of raspberry, blackberry, and dark fruit, same on the palate, medium/big body, Bordeaux style, very soft tannins showing, needs 3 years to peak, medium finish. The first bottle was corked, this was a newly opened bottle in front of me so definitely tight.
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Lots of blackberries on opening. Vanilla wafers and some pepper after 90 minutes. A little tart, not opening up much, not resolving. Maybe it needs a few more years.
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Medium nose shows cigar box, blackberry, cassis, black pepper, baking spice, green bell pepper. Palate is medium plus in body, lots of fruit layers, mocha, black fruit, graphite, black plum, sweet spice, medium plus tannins, medium plus complexity and length. Very solid and classic.
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12/25/2023 - Laura Gurski wrote:
Delicious
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2/11/2023 - mfimiani47 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Showing really well. Nice amount of fruit with some decent acidity. Don’t see a reason to hold this much longer. Should drink well over next 5 years.
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7/3/2022 - SCosgrove Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent
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2/8/2022 - JLPwine Likes this wine: 91 Points
Beautiful to drink now
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4/3/2021 - CJet Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Gross. Generic. Everything else you’d expect.
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2/23/2021 - Fatkidfromfl Likes this wine: 91 Points
Ive consumed a 4-pack over the course of the past 4 years (about 1 per year). This was the first time that I actually enjoyed it. Secondaries are coming online nicely. Tannins are starting to back away from center stage. Not my style of wine. Not acidic enough. Very tannic and oak/fruit driven. Nothing restrained about this (except for the acidity!). Sweet. Tastes like fresh pressed fruit syrup stored in oak for an extended period of time. Paired well with ribeye. Pairing was questionable with country sausage and fried eggs.
I received this as a gift.I would not spend retail on this wine, but for my price it was excellent. If someone brings this to you as a gift, graciously except. If you are thinking of buying this for yourself.... you do you.
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1/3/2021 - VinoDiver Likes this wine: 91 Points
A consistent producer whose bottles from one year to the next are always a crowd pleaser.
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11/28/2020 - battytaxicab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Elegant, restrained and well worth the wait.
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11/22/2020 - VinoViking Likes this wine: 94 Points
Again - this is an outstanding wine with qualities that drive a strong QPR. Drank with some more notable (and expensive) Napa Cabs, and this stood right up. Dark, dry with complex fruit and earth. Drinking very nicely now.
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9/30/2020 - Wloka wrote:
Gifted
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8/30/2020 - ppandian wrote: 89 Points
Tannic, extracted, notes of raspberry and some menthol. Not great balance or nuance.
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12/25/2019 - WineKnut Likes this wine: 92 Points
No detailed notes written, but attention was paid while we enjoyed our holiday meal last night. On opening the nose was lovely and could be easily sensed while decanting. The color was dark bing cherry skin red and very clear and pretty in the glass. Immediate taste on opening was somewhat candied and reductive and my first instinct was to pull another bottle just in case.
I went about my business preparing the holiday meal of 130 degree sous vide New York strip with rosemary zinfandel reduction, twice baked potatoes stuffed with sauteed onion and garlic and roasted red chili flake Brussels sprouts for the next 2-1/2 hours.
Once at the table, this CS was free from the opening night jitters and came to life as it took the stage with it's supporting cast of characters. The crimson actor was so comfortable playing in it's role, acting and reacting naturally to all of the other flavors. After the last act, the red fruits, oak, dust, smooth but firm tannins and lingering after taste all earned their way into the hearts of the audience.
Much derision has been leveled against this style. Some have called it simple, or foursquare and so be it. It's modern and clearly Napa. With the full benefit of hindsight I'm glad that I resisted the urge to pull another bottle, because this wine was damn good with food.
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11/8/2019 - ieatprawnsss Likes this wine: 90 Points
Drank over 2 evenings. Dark purple in the glass, clear rim with plenty of legs. Black cherries, plum, hint of cassis, some leather. Started with notes of dry fruits and raisins but that cleared after an hour. Well structured, fruit forward and jammy, some acidity. Most elements in check but hot on the finish. Quite a typical cakebread cab. Quite well made, not my favourite style.
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9/17/2019 - dcalljr wrote: 90 Points
Great
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2/14/2019 - Collector1855 wrote: 89 Points
During a Calif CabSav tasting. Tannic, extracted, lots of new oak, toast, sweet and a bit foresquare. Not so much my style, score higher if it is yours.
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1/2/2019 - Duderino Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice wine, but not worth the price.
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12/28/2018 - Pantera Likes this wine: 91 Points
Flavors were a bit muted. Still had great aromatics. Was drier than expected for a California Cabernet. Krissy liked it. Probably not worth the $65 price tag.
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12/1/2018 - VinoViking Likes this wine: 94 Points
Throw down vs. Chappellet. Dense fruit flavors. More balanced. Bigger and better body. Smooth and luscious. Didn’t need the steak to stand out. Overall winner - best vs. better. All good. Drinking well now.
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11/23/2018 - Mdubnik wrote: 91 Points
needs to sit. a little "plain" to me.
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11/10/2018 - Loriblum3 wrote:
Great
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11/8/2018 - JKIndy wrote: 87 Points
Muted nose, alcohol dominates. Not much roundness and short finish. Fell well short of expectations.
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6/27/2018 - Collector1855 wrote: 91 Points
Rich, dark fruit, spicey. Oak is in check here but lots of heat at the finish. A bit too ripe for my taste.
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6/15/2018 - Skibank114 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very nice. I wondered if it was too soon, but it is approachable at this point. The nose tells you right away this is going to be nice. Just the right level of fruit for our taste, and the finish is full and complete. Was better as the night went on, so maybe a decant which we skipped. I think it will age well for another 8 - 10 years, but no need to wait. It will grow some - maybe 92\93. Cheers!
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6/2/2018 - Farnelicous Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very good cab. Opened to compare to 1995 cab. Decanted for ~2 hours; still very big tannins. Very good fruit. Comparison to 1995 Cakebread cab says hold this another ~15-25 years...
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5/16/2018 - Franssen Wino's Likes this wine: 98 Points
On patio
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3/22/2018 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 92 Points
Pop and pour from a magnum. More of a serious wine than I was expecting. Chalky blackfruit, graphite, cassis, and earth. It almost has a roasted element to it with still high enough acid to keep it fresh. Needs 2-3 more years but for the most part it’s there now.
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2/15/2018 - HueBreCellars Likes this wine: 85 Points
Nice, but a production wine.
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1/6/2018 - AlexVino wrote: 88 Points
Smoky, toasty oak tilts from mocha toward charcoal, providing a taut framework for the dry tannins and savory dried berry flavors. Drink now through 2028. 10,000 cases made.
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11/6/2017 - Markus IWC wrote: 87 Points
Slightly off balance, thin fruit. Needs time you come around. Blackberry, cassis, leather, wood.
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9/15/2017 - Silenstvi Likes this wine:
Got for Christmas 2016. Superb but I think around $80.
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7/1/2017 - RobbieC Likes this wine:
Good
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5/28/2017 - iwadasn wrote: 90 Points
Opened for some friends and it disappeared quickly. Fruity but not overly sweet, classic CA cab.
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5/25/2017 - j30 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Lots of fruit, might be an illusion but I kept thinking the wine smelled like a "cakebread". Balanced and juicy.
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5/23/2017 - Brent25 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nose and palate of cassis compote, vanilla and blueberries; very aggressive tannins that left my mouth feeling like it was filled with cotton batting; otherwise, well balanced and made for aging; will obviously benefit from a few years in the cellar
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5/11/2017 - sean7711 wrote: 88 Points
Got off the wine list at Blue point in Cleveland for $85 which I thought was a good deal. Paired with a filet. The nose just felt a bit off, sour for sure and a bit of funk. Very thin, almost no finish, not that much fruit tasted, and just seems to not hold up to other napa cabs I've had. I'm blanking on my 2013 notes but just didn't have the same effect on me. This was my first cab from cake bread and I won't be seeking out again.
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4/29/2017 - Pour Boy wrote: 93 Points
Great vintage from a great producer. Wonderful nose of jam and berries, lots of fruit on the palate, but also a balanced wine.
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4/11/2017 - SlimShaney wrote: 89 Points
Mundane, lacking personality. Not bad, but a completely forgettable Cali cab unfortunately. The sour thread is regrettable too - the finish has clipped wings.
Drank at Mortons Macau. Classic. Just love it here.
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4/9/2017 - dclaggett wrote: 89 Points
Best of 3 cabs we tried over Masters dinner. Decent length and cab character. Not complicated, not memorable.
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2/8/2017 - TexasBob Likes this wine: 90 Points
Medium garnet, fairly vivid. Milk chocolate with red berries and grilled steak on the nose. Intense chocolate-covered red cherries with pomegranate, fairly unusual taste profile for a Cabernet. Quite tasty.
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2/3/2017 - smphelps wrote: 88 Points
Deep crimson. Tastes like a hot vintage, relatively high alcohol, slightly mealy texture, with rich and ripe aromas of plum, blackberry. Weighty. Medium length.
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1/25/2017 - Danandnan Likes this wine: 90 Points
$120 at Preston's. full-bodied, very good!
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12/21/2016 - adrenalin112 Does not like this wine: 89 Points
Terrible QPR
Highly acidic, medium body, not at all as expected in comparison to other vintages. Lacking in comparison to what other cabs are putting out for this vintage. Not interested in where this will evolve in the coming years as it is showing no signs of promise.
Color in glass is very thin at the edges, minimal legs, heavy tart alcohol on the palate.
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12/7/2016 - Man in Black wrote:
Deep ruby colour. The nose shows medium+ intensity aromas of cassis, black currants, hints of green bell peppper, cedar, clove, chocolate and tobacco leaf.
It is dry in the mouth with a medium+ acidity. It has high fine-grained tannins and a high alcohol. It is full-bodied with medium+ intensity flavours and a long finish.
It is a very good quality wine. It shows complexity provided by oak ageing, it has a lingering finish and a some acidity to provide freshness, but the fruit concentration is not enough to balance the alcohol.
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10/26/2016 - Double-A Likes this wine: 90 Points
An aromatic wine right out of the gate at uncorking. Smoky currant and charred toast nose; as much Bordeaux as Californian characteristics. Full bodied palate. Very good flavor replays with sturdy tannins and balanced acidity. The fullness of the alcohol weighs on the finish.
Delightfully surprised with the 2013. I was anticipating another big, conventional, contemporary Californian and Cakebread delivered some genuine, traditional Cabernet (blend) characteristics. My only disappointment is in the high, 14.7% alcohol, but others will surely enjoy it for just that reason.
4/5
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10/24/2016 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 88 Points
MW Institute 2013 American Cabernet Tasting, nose of raspberry, blackberry, and dark fruit, same on the palate, medium/big body, Bordeaux style, very soft tannins showing, needs 3 years to peak, medium finish. The first bottle was corked, this was a newly opened bottle in front of me so definitely tight.
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10/24/2016 - RajivAyyangar wrote: 84 Points
Institute of Masters of Wine - 2013 Cabernet Walk-Around Tasting (Hyatt, San Francisco): Nice and pretty down-the-middle style. Ripe but with good acidity.
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9/18/2016 - iwadasn wrote: 88 Points
Lots of blackberries on opening. Vanilla wafers and some pepper after 90 minutes. A little tart, not opening up much, not resolving. Maybe it needs a few more years.
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9/14/2016 - Glenn92 wrote: 91 Points
Great nose
Good fruit with nice tannin structure
Easy cassis with dark fruit
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8/23/2016 - Rickets wrote: 92 Points
Very nice napa cab. Probably drank too soon.
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8/20/2016 - VinoDiver wrote: 91 Points
- Medium forming legs - Solid wine with good fruit and structure. Give at least an hour of air as it improved sitting in the glass.
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4/27/2016 - Colanero wrote:
A bit chalky, too soon to drink.
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4/27/2016 - eyouman Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fruity, nice body, a little chalky in the after taste but excellent wine.
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4/19/2016 - GTFreek wrote:
Medium nose shows cigar box, blackberry, cassis, black pepper, baking spice, green bell pepper. Palate is medium plus in body, lots of fruit layers, mocha, black fruit, graphite, black plum, sweet spice, medium plus tannins, medium plus complexity and length. Very solid and classic.
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3/18/2016 - brianofthevine wrote: 91 Points
Tasted at the winery. Black cherry, boysenberry, dark chocolate and earth notes. Nice tannins, good finish.
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12/31/2015 - Robwild Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nose of cherries. Fruit forward, full bodied with cherries, berries and a bit of citrus. Well balanced with good structure and tannins.
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