A Napa cab that actually swings at a pretty decent QPR (for a change). Jammy dark fruit and the tannins are soft. I would drink up now as there is a hint of decline on the finish.
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Shared a bottle with some friends. Our assessment has not improved since the last bottle consumed in late May. A fair bottle at a fair price, but certainly no "Wow" factor here. Nose is promising, color deep purple with long legs. Medium finish.
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This was brought to a 6 bottle wine tasting against other cabs. It came in 3rd. We currently have a bottle cellared that we were planning on consuming in a year. We were disappointed with how poorly it fared and can't see it improving much. It was just okay.
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This was an amazingly pleasing Napa Cab at this price point. Usual Cab purple, nose was berries and wood. Nose was fruit galore. Taste was fruity, with some minerality and medium, but satisfying finish and medium tannins, which is great at this price. This is at its peak and will not cellar well, from here on out. Drink now. Great on its own, but good with grilled meats. Great quality to price ratio. Good vintage year helped out the 2007 Starmont.
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Friends of Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra Wine Tasting (Philadelphia, PA): Classic Napa Cab profile. Deep garnet color. Full nose of cassis, chocolate, and oak with a hint of bell pepper underneath. Firm tannins... could have used a good decanting, but the flavors still cam through. Good QPR at $18 and should have a few years life in it.
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2007 was a great year for Napa Valley. I enjoyed this wine. It grew on me in the glass and opened new dimensions and time passed. Blackberry and currants with smoke and tobacco finish.
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Très austère au début. Après 45 minutes dans le verre, ça s'ouvre enfin! Pas de boisé inutile, du beau fruit. Gagnerait en velouté si on lui laissait tranquille une année ou deux. Pas extraordinaire, mais vraiment très beau.
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Ok straight out of the bottle, better after about an hour of air. Need to do a head-to-head against the 07 Franciscan. Nothing terribly exciting, but hits all the right notes, at $17 from Costco - strong QPR.
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Decanted 2 hours. A decent napa cab with some initial bitter tannins that eventually blew off and opened up to a smoother wine with decent cab flavors and medium finish. Average wine, but at the price I'm not sure I'd be buying again.
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very nice Napa cab under $20. nice dark garnet with cherry / oak / vanilla on the nose. palate is not too complex medium finish. this wine seems very consistent in what it delivers in a rather simple package.
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Giant Wine Sale & Tasting 5/7/2011 (Cellar on Greene, Columbia, SC): What can we say? Another reliable offering from this very consistent producer. My tasting notes are actually boring, which may be a compliment. This is an under $20 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley that works. It has all the red and dark fruits. There are nicely ripened and managed tannins. It is balanced and complete with a quality finish. Enough said.
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The nose was very peculiar with hints of vanilla bean and cherry. Very big tannins, left my palate dry. I can only imagine this will get better with age!
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Opened 8 hours ago but not decanted. The bouquet is a little stewed, with aromas of dark fruit, anise, and a dash of baking spice. Lightens up nicely on the palate, with generous red and dark berry, eucalyptus, and light spice accents. An elegant feel, with a moderate structure. Lithe tannins- falls off a little on the finish.
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Nothing spectacular, but also no flaws. Good fruit (blackberry, currant), concentration, structure and balance. Overall quite enjoyable and a good QPR. Still somewhat young, but drinking fine and not sure there is much upside. 88+
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Aroma: This vintage is killer and exhibits dark aromas of blackberry, black currant, dark chocolate and hints of mocha and smoke.
Taste: The 2007 vintage has beautiful density on the palate, although the tannins are traditionally muted and very approachable. The QPR is outstanding even for this wine that seems to always deliver. Buy a case
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Upon opening, an aroma of anchovies and ripe fruit, with some smokey qualities. Flavor of red fruit, with a slight aftertaste of lemon and tin. There also was a slight merlot-like flavor of fruit beyond its prime - like when a bottle turns after being opened too long - which is inherent in cheap wine.
After about 30 minutes in the glass, an aroma of smoked oysters. The bad merlot-like flavors are gone, and a delicate flavor of smoke oysters mirrors the aroma. The fruit is barely perceptable. Some tannins. The acid is fleeting. Not the most complex wine, but also not simple and flat either.
I've raised my score a point. Could even be an 89 on the right day, but that may be pushing it. Drink now or use for cooking.
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Dry, balanced, and showing good focus. Notes of cherries, cassis, oak, and vanilla on a bed of approachable tannins. Seems to grow denser the longer it sits. Good complexity. Sneakily long finish.
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11/18/2023 - Elizabeth22 wrote:
Yummy
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8/25/2017 - davo22 wrote: 88 Points
A Napa cab that actually swings at a pretty decent QPR (for a change). Jammy dark fruit and the tannins are soft. I would drink up now as there is a hint of decline on the finish.
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6/15/2017 - Ralphie1 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Worth the wait! Probably will not improve any more. Drink up!
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8/20/2016 - Ralphie1 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking very well!
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3/9/2015 - Joegish Likes this wine: 88 Points
Not bad for a $20 bottle. Came around after about 45 minutes. Not funky flavors - just cab. Would buy again for $20 or less.
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7/7/2014 - thegracchi wrote:
Perfectly drinkable Napa cab for weeknights.
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2/2/2014 - Gail and Len wrote: 91 Points
Easy to drink cab.
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11/17/2013 - pipedream wrote: 90 Points
really good...surprised me. agree with previous tasting note that its drinking extremely well right now.
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9/21/2013 - vinedresser75 wrote: 89 Points
In a really good place now, easy drinking, nice fruit, soft tannins. Have to see what happens when it opens up.
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5/6/2013 - pmk wrote: 89 Points
time to drink up - never reached full potential
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12/29/2012 - WineJunkieWest wrote: 86 Points
Shared a bottle with some friends. Our assessment has not improved since the last bottle consumed in late May. A fair bottle at a fair price, but certainly no "Wow" factor here. Nose is promising, color deep purple with long legs. Medium finish.
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12/25/2012 - P55cw55 Likes this wine: 91 Points
At $19/bottle, great value wine.
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10/20/2012 - rkosd wrote: 82 Points
Kinda boring. Lots of sweet red fruit with light tannins on the front but no finish at the end.
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5/21/2012 - WineJunkieWest wrote: 86 Points
This was brought to a 6 bottle wine tasting against other cabs. It came in 3rd. We currently have a bottle cellared that we were planning on consuming in a year. We were disappointed with how poorly it fared and can't see it improving much. It was just okay.
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4/27/2012 - Z1nnfull wrote: 90 Points
This was an amazingly pleasing Napa Cab at this price point. Usual Cab purple, nose was berries and wood. Nose was fruit galore. Taste was fruity, with some minerality and medium, but satisfying finish and medium tannins, which is great at this price. This is at its peak and will not cellar well, from here on out. Drink now. Great on its own, but good with grilled meats. Great quality to price ratio. Good vintage year helped out the 2007 Starmont.
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4/19/2012 - manny651 wrote: 87 Points
Decent cab. Enjoyed the nose of mocha and black cherries more than the palate which was a bit too acidic.
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4/13/2012 - bobpsi wrote: 87 Points
Moderate nose of plum, dark cherry, vanilla and cocoa. Medium body black cherry, plums, mocha and cedar. Medium finish.
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3/24/2012 - wineotim wrote: 79 Points
Underwhelming underachiever, tough to find anything nice to say about this. Muted aromas and fruit. Too acidic. A regretable purchase.
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3/23/2012 - msaxton123 wrote: 89 Points
Outstanding. Great value cab.
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1/20/2012 - Brianna wrote: 81 Points
Ok in a pinch.
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1/14/2012 - daniel.jay wrote: 85 Points
Consumed as part of the First Annual 49ers Playoff $20 '07 Napa Cab Shoot-Out. Universally the least like wine. Flaccid, uninspired.
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1/6/2012 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 90 Points
For $20 worth the money featuring cherry, plum, oak, vanilla and mild spices. Not a big wine and balanced. Drink now.
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1/1/2012 - LSWhidbey wrote: 89 Points
I just love these Starmont wines. This would probably be better in another 2 years. Light fruit. Low tannins but nice legs. Love it.
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12/1/2011 - iByron wrote: 87 Points
Friends of Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra Wine Tasting (Philadelphia, PA): Classic Napa Cab profile. Deep garnet color. Full nose of cassis, chocolate, and oak with a hint of bell pepper underneath. Firm tannins... could have used a good decanting, but the flavors still cam through. Good QPR at $18 and should have a few years life in it.
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11/22/2011 - Dwainroark wrote: 91 Points
2007 was a great year for Napa Valley. I enjoyed this wine. It grew on me in the glass and opened new dimensions and time passed. Blackberry and currants with smoke and tobacco finish.
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10/27/2011 - wearewoz wrote:
- Brick color with medium forming legs and aromas of blackberry and has flavours of blackberry.
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10/6/2011 - OTTnMIA wrote: 87 Points
A nice wine, well balanced with a classic Napa cab profile. A lack of intrigue for me kept this one from scoring higher.
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9/17/2011 - Domfrenette wrote: 88 Points
Très austère au début. Après 45 minutes dans le verre, ça s'ouvre enfin! Pas de boisé inutile, du beau fruit.
Gagnerait en velouté si on lui laissait tranquille une année ou deux.
Pas extraordinaire, mais vraiment très beau.
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9/7/2011 - daniel.jay wrote: 89 Points
Ok straight out of the bottle, better after about an hour of air. Need to do a head-to-head against the 07 Franciscan. Nothing terribly exciting, but hits all the right notes, at $17 from Costco - strong QPR.
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8/29/2011 - J2K wrote:
Decanted 2 hours. A decent napa cab with some initial bitter tannins that eventually blew off and opened up to a smoother wine with decent cab flavors and medium finish. Average wine, but at the price I'm not sure I'd be buying again.
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8/27/2011 - CultCabKing wrote: 79 Points
spicy, light, good balance but very soft mouth feel
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8/4/2011 - nzinkgraf wrote:
Rather obtuse aromas, something too oddly green. Same on the palate too. Structure, but where's the fruit?
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7/19/2011 - jpakma wrote: 87 Points
very nice Napa cab under $20. nice dark garnet with cherry / oak / vanilla on the nose. palate is not too complex medium finish. this wine seems very consistent in what it delivers in a rather simple package.
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6/13/2011 - midai wrote: 83 Points
kind of plain. It was fine but I expected more character.
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6/5/2011 - Syrogr wrote: 90 Points
Near perfect Cabernet. Dark and haunting, smooth but dangerous, mellow fruit, lingering complex layers of cherry, plum and black tar.
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5/7/2011 - ews3 wrote: 86 Points
2011 Philadelphia Wine Festival (Marriott, Philadelphia PA): simple and fruit driven.
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5/7/2011 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 88 Points
Giant Wine Sale & Tasting 5/7/2011 (Cellar on Greene, Columbia, SC): What can we say? Another reliable offering from this very consistent producer. My tasting notes are actually boring, which may be a compliment. This is an under $20 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley that works. It has all the red and dark fruits. There are nicely ripened and managed tannins. It is balanced and complete with a quality finish. Enough said.
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3/30/2011 - Zweder wrote: 86 Points
Completely agree with rickspicks; nothing spectacular but also no flaws. Good fruit and a quite basic CS imo, which offers just a little extra.
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2/20/2011 - bambam wrote: 87 Points
Cherry, oak and spice with a medium finish.
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2/9/2011 - Plasters wrote:
Rods birthday
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1/21/2011 - Mayabear wrote: 91 Points
Very smooth
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12/29/2010 - JJWilliams81 Likes this wine: 87 Points
The nose was very peculiar with hints of vanilla bean and cherry. Very big tannins, left my palate dry. I can only imagine this will get better with age!
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10/28/2010 - MattMauldin wrote: 86 Points
Opened 8 hours ago but not decanted. The bouquet is a little stewed, with aromas of dark fruit, anise, and a dash of baking spice. Lightens up nicely on the palate, with generous red and dark berry, eucalyptus, and light spice accents. An elegant feel, with a moderate structure. Lithe tannins- falls off a little on the finish.
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10/3/2010 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 90 Points
A nice Napa offering with cherry, oak, vanilla, and spice. Good concentration and tannins are medium. Should drink well for five years.
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9/28/2010 - rickspicks wrote: 88 Points
Nothing spectacular, but also no flaws. Good fruit (blackberry, currant), concentration, structure and balance. Overall quite enjoyable and a good QPR. Still somewhat young, but drinking fine and not sure there is much upside. 88+
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8/25/2010 - Ablankenship wrote: 87 Points
Needs air and time to breath
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7/6/2010 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Bing cherry and vibrant. Good tannic backbone. Works at $25.
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7/4/2010 - Wineder wrote: 86 Points
4th of July at Moms
Young
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7/1/2010 - Mobidude wrote: 89 Points
Color: Deep garnet with slight purple hue
Aroma: This vintage is killer and exhibits dark aromas of blackberry, black currant, dark chocolate and hints of mocha and smoke.
Taste: The 2007 vintage has beautiful density on the palate, although the tannins are traditionally muted and very approachable. The QPR is outstanding even for this wine that seems to always deliver. Buy a case
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6/16/2010 - JustOneMore wrote: 88 Points
Upon opening, an aroma of anchovies and ripe fruit, with some smokey qualities. Flavor of red fruit, with a slight aftertaste of lemon and tin. There also was a slight merlot-like flavor of fruit beyond its prime - like when a bottle turns after being opened too long - which is inherent in cheap wine.
After about 30 minutes in the glass, an aroma of smoked oysters. The bad merlot-like flavors are gone, and a delicate flavor of smoke oysters mirrors the aroma. The fruit is barely perceptable. Some tannins. The acid is fleeting. Not the most complex wine, but also not simple and flat either.
I've raised my score a point. Could even be an 89 on the right day, but that may be pushing it. Drink now or use for cooking.
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4/17/2010 - grayfont Likes this wine: 85 Points
Westwood CC 20 Wines under $20 (Westwood CC, Vienna VA): I wonder if this will be better with age as it is nicely balanced and structured but not as expressive as we would have liked.
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4/14/2010 - Baron Slick wrote: 90 Points
Dry, balanced, and showing good focus. Notes of cherries, cassis, oak, and vanilla on a bed of approachable tannins. Seems to grow denser the longer it sits. Good complexity. Sneakily long finish.
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