pretty drinkable for a not good bottle of wine. This was served at a community school naples event for graduation. It wasn't horrible and it was the best thing they had. Wouldn't be my first choice for wine though.
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Far & away the best of the lot of Bourbon barrel aged “fad?” Cabernet Sauvignon vins.
We just drank our last 2014, of which we had purchased prolly two case worth. Now we’re getting into these 2015s. More than a few ‘16s in our cellar await. We have been enjoying these bottles for well over a year now, and decided we needed to finally tell you about it, if you were silly enough to read what we have to say.
The whiskey-sweet aroma envelops what would likely otherwise be a relatively non-noteworthy Cab. The artfully timed months in the whiskey barrels lends itself to raising the buttery aspect- which for us is a good thing. It’s heavy with nice legs and body; a slightly smoky and nicely lingering finish of vanilla and cream.
The BALANCE these winemakers have achieved is notable in that too much (or little?) whiskey would serve to disjoint the overall profile of the beverage, make all the flavors compete, and not drink as a cohesive whole- like what we have experienced in others of these bourbon Cabs. (See our Cask & Barrel review if you can’t sleep.) And we know good bourbon (See our Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Sour Mash Kentucky Straight Bourbon review.)
This winery’s potion is shapely, coherent, smooth and well-poised. Fruit & bourbon up front and the toasty-buttery-whiskey friends are all here- on display early and often. And it all lingers just the right amount. May we have another pour please?
We drink this Cab often. Our friends drink it when they come over. They KNOW they’re going to enjoy good vins when they come to our place, and we’re in no way reluctant to introduce this Cali Cab with the caveat that even at such an inexpensive price, it offers the first levels, the infant stages, the juvenile steps into the world of complexity, there is just a layer or two here to bite on, to contemplate on the palate, to chew into, to learn what it means to drink a vin with breadth, girth, complex notes and flavors.
All this, plunged into an $11 bottle- makes this, for us, a real winner of a vin. And for beginners in the wine world, at this price, buy a case and hold it for 2-3 years to enjoy it developing over time…
Here’s something to “chew on”… When she is served it, knowing, she claims not to like it, not to like the whiskey-liquor aspect of it and claims to not like to "drink vanilla." When it’s offered to her blind, she appreciates it much. Every time. So there’s that…
We hope the '16 is this good.
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We really liked the 2014 vintage (bought several cases) so were excited to try this. A bit disappointing, it's not as smooth as last year and there is a slightly off taste. Pass.
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Definitely can smell/taste the bourbon - but subtle and something a bit different - but overall decent profile. I would say a good weekday wine and could use a bit more time in the bottle.
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I would never guess this was a Cabernet. It seemed closer to a Zinfandel. Medium to full bodied, not complex, drinkable, good balance, with some character probably imparted by the Bourbon barrels. Did improve markedly displaying more fruit and some complexity after a few days in the wine cooler.
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Like the others here, I was really surprised how much I enjoyed this wine!! Cherries and alittle ashy... yum! Will definitely be buying more at this price!
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Wow. Surprisingly complex for the price. Layered and lingering. Cigar box / tobaccco. Chocolate truffle, raspberry with a syrupy mouthfeel. Long lingering finish that carries with enveloping fruits and vanilla. Good price and good buy.
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Great aroma of ripe fruit, fresh cut tobacco, and mint. The silky tannins, flavours of dark chocolate, leather, and juicy dark berries flavours are followed by a medium and mildly peppery finish, which shows off the Bourbon barrels ageing. A great buy, which will enhance your favourite cut of beef.
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I suspect that this wine, both in the 2015 in the 2014, is being under rated subconsciously because many view it as a joke or a gimmick. The fact is, that for $10, this is a damn good bottle of wine! It is exuberantly fruity, and the shows characteristics that I believe must derive from the tripod bourbon barrels: A smokiness, roundness, and depth that is quite intriguing. The tannins are fairly smooth, and it is clear that this is not a long time keeper. But it is intriguing, unusual, and pleasurable. Again, I have I have not had a $10 wine this interesting in quite a while. Bravo!
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1/24/2024 - Alvito wrote:
Excellent.
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5/9/2020 - JRoman23 Likes this wine: 88 Points
A solid wine that will keep the the non-discerning palette happy.
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5/25/2018 - floridawinedrkr Likes this wine:
pretty drinkable for a not good bottle of wine. This was served at a community school naples event for graduation. It wasn't horrible and it was the best thing they had. Wouldn't be my first choice for wine though.
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3/8/2018 - shelbietang Likes this wine:
Delicious
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1/18/2018 - Bin707LoversDetroit Likes this wine: 89 Points
Far & away the best of the lot of Bourbon barrel aged “fad?” Cabernet Sauvignon vins.
We just drank our last 2014, of which we had purchased prolly two case worth. Now we’re getting into these 2015s. More than a few ‘16s in our cellar await. We have been enjoying these bottles for well over a year now, and decided we needed to finally tell you about it, if you were silly enough to read what we have to say.
The whiskey-sweet aroma envelops what would likely otherwise be a relatively non-noteworthy Cab. The artfully timed months in the whiskey barrels lends itself to raising the buttery aspect- which for us is a good thing. It’s heavy with nice legs and body; a slightly smoky and nicely lingering finish of vanilla and cream.
The BALANCE these winemakers have achieved is notable in that too much (or little?) whiskey would serve to disjoint the overall profile of the beverage, make all the flavors compete, and not drink as a cohesive whole- like what we have experienced in others of these bourbon Cabs. (See our Cask & Barrel review if you can’t sleep.) And we know good bourbon (See our Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Sour Mash Kentucky Straight Bourbon review.)
This winery’s potion is shapely, coherent, smooth and well-poised. Fruit & bourbon up front and the toasty-buttery-whiskey friends are all here- on display early and often. And it all lingers just the right amount. May we have another pour please?
We drink this Cab often. Our friends drink it when they come over. They KNOW they’re going to enjoy good vins when they come to our place, and we’re in no way reluctant to introduce this Cali Cab with the caveat that even at such an inexpensive price, it offers the first levels, the infant stages, the juvenile steps into the world of complexity, there is just a layer or two here to bite on, to contemplate on the palate, to chew into, to learn what it means to drink a vin with breadth, girth, complex notes and flavors.
All this, plunged into an $11 bottle- makes this, for us, a real winner of a vin. And for beginners in the wine world, at this price, buy a case and hold it for 2-3 years to enjoy it developing over time…
Here’s something to “chew on”… When she is served it, knowing, she claims not to like it, not to like the whiskey-liquor aspect of it and claims to not like to "drink vanilla." When it’s offered to her blind, she appreciates it much. Every time. So there’s that…
We hope the '16 is this good.
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10/22/2017 - kmicho Likes this wine: 87 Points
What Japwine said in an earlier review. A surprise. Much more complex than I expected. The bourbon is extremely subtle. Really nice for the price.
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8/21/2017 - wayne47 Does not like this wine: 54 Points
Perfectly drinkable but I'd rather not. Off taste. Will try another bottle.
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8/19/2017 - wayne47 wrote:
We really liked the 2014 vintage (bought several cases) so were excited to try this. A bit disappointing, it's not as smooth as last year and there is a slightly off taste. Pass.
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8/17/2017 - Ghengis Likes this wine: 90 Points
Really liked it. Very different. Would buy again.
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7/31/2017 - Colorado3G Likes this wine: 87 Points
Definitely can smell/taste the bourbon - but subtle and something a bit different - but overall decent profile. I would say a good weekday wine and could use a bit more time in the bottle.
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4/29/2017 - Japwine Likes this wine: 90 Points
full berry and mild bourbon flavor in each sip. deep rich red color and pleasing aroma. a bit complex for this price point! I'd purchase more!
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4/2/2017 - OrangeCrushTD wrote: 90 Points
One of my favorite bourbon barrel wines, the best value by far! You can really smell the bourbon, but the taste isn't too overpowering.
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3/12/2017 - Orlandus wrote: 89 Points
I would never guess this was a Cabernet. It seemed closer to a Zinfandel. Medium to full bodied, not complex, drinkable, good balance, with some character probably imparted by the Bourbon barrels. Did improve markedly displaying more fruit and some complexity after a few days in the wine cooler.
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2/27/2017 - PappaBear1256 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Wife says it taste "yummy"
Seems to really open up after letting it breath for an hour, hints of vanilla and oak begin to shine through.
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2/23/2017 - Wine Engineer Likes this wine: 91 Points
Smooth. Great finish
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2/15/2017 - mkbjohnson2016 Likes this wine:
Like the others here, I was really surprised how much I enjoyed this wine!! Cherries and alittle ashy... yum! Will definitely be buying more at this price!
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2/11/2017 - ra.walker Likes this wine: 90 Points
Delicious and smooth. Nice tannins and oaky notes. Would definitely buy again.
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1/10/2017 - Sherrylynnmarie Likes this wine:
Really smooth and balanced with deep dark caramel finish
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1/10/2017 - Shutterbug24 wrote: 89 Points
Pleasantly surprised. Complex charred barrel flavor. So quick to dismiss RM wine, but give this a try. I will buy a case.
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12/27/2016 - Ryan Saunders Likes this wine: 90 Points
Great taste. Not overpowering at all
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12/20/2016 - Bscole Likes this wine:
Delicious! I really enjoyed the finish on this one.
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12/17/2016 - Kkavan01 wrote: 90 Points
Very full flavour of cherry, grape and bourbon finish. Outstanding for the price
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12/5/2016 - AmoryBlaine Likes this wine: 88 Points
Wow. Surprisingly complex for the price. Layered and lingering. Cigar box / tobaccco. Chocolate truffle, raspberry with a syrupy mouthfeel. Long lingering finish that carries with enveloping fruits and vanilla. Good price and good buy.
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11/27/2016 - Pegasys wrote: 90 Points
Great aroma of ripe fruit, fresh cut tobacco, and mint. The silky tannins, flavours of dark chocolate, leather, and juicy dark berries flavours are followed by a medium and mildly peppery finish, which shows off the Bourbon barrels ageing. A great buy, which will enhance your favourite cut of beef.
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11/14/2016 - jawegs Likes this wine: 91 Points
The bourbon oak provides very smooth pleasant vanilla finish.
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11/3/2016 - niloc36 Likes this wine: 88 Points
I suspect that this wine, both in the 2015 in the 2014, is being under rated subconsciously because many view it as a joke or a gimmick. The fact is, that for $10, this is a damn good bottle of wine! It is exuberantly fruity, and the shows characteristics that I believe must derive from the tripod bourbon barrels: A smokiness, roundness, and depth that is quite intriguing. The tannins are fairly smooth, and it is clear that this is not a long time keeper. But it is intriguing, unusual, and pleasurable. Again, I have I have not had a $10 wine this interesting in quite a while. Bravo!
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10/6/2016 - loubbowen Likes this wine: 84 Points
Very dry. Fresh red berries. Short finish. Not complex.
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