McCabe’s note is spot on. Did not decant. It was muted on the nose to start with somewhat watery taste, but gradually opened up and added more weight as the night went on. Still on the delicate side.
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Four hour decant. Deep, bright ruby color. Cherry Dr Pepper and wet granite, with subtle anise and barbecue sauce on the nose. Satiny, tongue drying palate. Firm, full tannins on the medium long finish. This is OK, but too dour. I wouldn’t buy it again.
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2.5 hour decant. I'm not impressed, but hoping it's just youth turning me off. Deep color with pronounced purple hue. Bicycle tire, tin can and possibly meatloaf on a very austere nose. Good acidity on a somewhat bland palate. Mouth drying tannins that are medium/firm on the medium finish. This wine has all the right nuts and bolts, but needs time and there's a chance it's simply not very special.
My initial tasting of the 2013 Yao Ming Cabernet took place at Yao Family Wines in Napa Valley. I remember being blown away by how good it was-- had I scored it at that time, I would have been inclined to give it 93-94 points.
I eagerly popped a bottle recently. Talk about bottle to bottle variation. This one felt nowhere near as balanced, fruit forward, and gripping as the one I had just a few months prior. Instead, it was rather boring. Despite being a smooth and easy drinker, it lacked the depth, complexity, and character that drew me to Yao Family Wines. Instead of drinking like a bottle worth about $45-$60, it tasted like something worth hardly more than $20-$25. Disappointing.
Probably won't touch my other bottles for another 4-6 years.
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10/3/2020 - EricLi wrote: 92 Points
McCabe’s note is spot on. Did not decant. It was muted on the nose to start with somewhat watery taste, but gradually opened up and added more weight as the night went on. Still on the delicate side.
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10/31/2019 - AGELVIS Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Four hour decant. Deep, bright ruby color. Cherry Dr Pepper and wet granite, with subtle anise and barbecue sauce on the nose. Satiny, tongue drying palate. Firm, full tannins on the medium long finish. This is OK, but too dour. I wouldn’t buy it again.
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9/28/2019 - John McCabe wrote: 92 Points
Cooler and more composed than many '13 Napa cabs I've had. A bit understated and middle of the road, maybe a bit over-priced.
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9/19/2017 - Winowhyno Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nice nose...very smooth after 30 minutes of decanting....
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9/18/2017 - AGELVIS wrote: 83 Points
2.5 hour decant. I'm not impressed, but hoping it's just youth turning me off. Deep color with pronounced purple hue. Bicycle tire, tin can and possibly meatloaf on a very austere nose. Good acidity on a somewhat bland palate. Mouth drying tannins that are medium/firm on the medium finish. This wine has all the right nuts and bolts, but needs time and there's a chance it's simply not very special.
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9/17/2017 - Slively2014 wrote: 88 Points
Not worth the price, worth $30
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4/22/2017 - Satoshi Nakamoto wrote: 88 Points
My initial tasting of the 2013 Yao Ming Cabernet took place at Yao Family Wines in Napa Valley. I remember being blown away by how good it was-- had I scored it at that time, I would have been inclined to give it 93-94 points.
I eagerly popped a bottle recently. Talk about bottle to bottle variation. This one felt nowhere near as balanced, fruit forward, and gripping as the one I had just a few months prior. Instead, it was rather boring. Despite being a smooth and easy drinker, it lacked the depth, complexity, and character that drew me to Yao Family Wines. Instead of drinking like a bottle worth about $45-$60, it tasted like something worth hardly more than $20-$25. Disappointing.
Probably won't touch my other bottles for another 4-6 years.
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8/5/2016 - gryz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great wine - very smooth. Drinking great now, but will continue to get better with age.
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7/30/2016 - mmcleod wrote:
with Ryan
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