Amazingly too young, or needed a longer decant. This can be even better with more time. A quintessential super level Napa cab, from a beautiful home north in the valley. Everything there you could hope for, and it should get better and better for many years
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Decanted for approximately 2 and a half hours. A demure nose of red and black fruit, florals and perfume. Well balanced with lively red and black fruit, mushrooms, and hints of mint on the palate. Went great with grilled/pan seared fillets. Bryant never fails to please. Drink this wine whenever you can. Drink or hold.
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Short 30 min decant. Wow. I marvel at the changes in the glass. Bright fruit, awesome palate feel. Long lingering finish. A touch of sweetness after swirling in the glass an hour later. BUY, HOL or drink for pleasure.
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Smooth, mellow, but bold. Yep, that about explains the black cassis and black fruit flavors with a slight minerality. Long lasting finish with long legs on the glass. I love Bryant wines (including Bettina). Their wines are always so perfectly balanced and age beautifully. Paired this wine with char grilled prime steaks....the perfect meal and match.
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What an absolute pleasure, this is definitely one of the best Napa Cabs that I have had. Lovely, rich, concentrated beauty with layers of red and blue fruits wrapped around a delicious mineral backbone. The kind of wine that makes going back to drinking regular wines that much harder.
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It's been a little over 7 years since I opened a bottle of the Bryant and it was well worth the wait. Just an absolutely elegant wine that has matured to a great place over the years.
The nose is filled with tobacco, olive tapenade, and blue/black fruits. The palate is dense without being overpowering...I despise using the cliche but it fits, the wine is an "iron fist in a velvet glove". A smooth mouthfeel, fully integrated tannins, and a finish that goes on and on. Not a wine built on sheer power but one that just oozes finesse. Fantabulous!
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Decanted for an hour. Voluptuous from the get go. Served with strip steak and the palate feel was delightful. This winery is a fav of my 89 yr old dad and the fruit lingered on in the glass forever. What a treat. Hold, buy, drink.
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Decanted over cocktails. This has aged beautifully with dense black fruit, depth of flavor, earth, acid and supple tannins. I do think most of these super-premium Napa cult cabs are best when they are young and showing off the incredible fruit, but it certainly has many years ahead.
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This elegant and layered Cabernet is drinking beautifully right now, with an ethereal quality that is impressive for mountain fruit done in a modern style. Garnet in color and medium in body, the wine offers incredible aromas of blackberry, fresh leather, peppercorn, and bay leaf. Flavors of black cherry, graphite, sage, and tapenade, with a lifted and elegant finish. 14.8% alcohol. Decant at least two hours, and watch the sediment, of which there is plenty. Made by Ross Wallace. Drink in next few years.
I tasted this on the same night as a 2010 Ovid, another winery in that expensive neighborhood that is Pritchard Hill. To my surprise, I preferred the Ovid, which came across as more full, plush, and ripe. The Bryant had more precision and elegance than the Bryant, but sometimes you (or, um, I) like to turn the radio up to hear that sweet sound. The Bryant is more settled, while the Ovid is still sorting things out. Far better than it was earlier this year (3/21 - 94 points), the Ovid more than held its own against a wine that costs twice as much - no small feat in any neighborhood.
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Garnet color with a bouquet and flavor of black cassis, blackberries, and cocoa. Very good depth and balance with a long finish. Not quite as good as the 2009, but still a wonderful wine and a wow. Bryant family has joined a host of other wineries that have priced their wines too high, even considering how very good they are. You can find wines at the same level that are cheaper, and why wouldn't you?
Taste at Hampton Social from private party. Gorgeous cassis, herbs, cocoa nibs and violets. Touches of toasty oak but so well integrated. Great mid palate and along balanced finish. Very complex sporting more dark chocolate covered cherries, toasted wood and some dark brown sugar. Absolutely stunning wine. Still going strong obviously.
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After a 10 month break from my write ups - I'm back!!!
What a way to start - my best buddy and me knew it was going to be good but neither or us realized just how good - it was what I would call perfect - its going to be hard to appreciate any other from now on.
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2nd best wotn for me behind 09 Bond. Dark crimson/burgundy. Fine grained tannins. Med plus mouthfeel. Cult cab, great dark red and black fruit, extremely well made, powerful style, but retains some earthy character and avoids the closing sweetness of so many other Cali wines. Almost monolithic in profile now - needs half a day in decanter to appreciate. Will live for 20 more years. Predict slightly higher score in 10 years. This one needs patience.
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Kicking off the weekend (Sojourn Restaurant UES): I'm sure an argument will be made that this was too young and closed. But, I found none of the redeeming qualities reflected by most of the prior TN's bearing big scores. It was a hot, alcoholic mess. The tannins were not fierce but they were unpleasant. My experience with younger Napa Cabernet is limited but I've tasted enough young and shut down wines to be able to discern quality. I don't see it here. Possible that some score the label/pricetag instead of the wine?
Dinner out with friends at Mastros Ocean Club in Malibu featuring 07 Ornellaia, 01 Mondavi Reserve, and 10 Bryant. Bryant WOTN featuring dark fruits, spice, and a hint of cocoa on the nose. An elegant plush mouthfeel with smooth, well integrated tannins. All voted the Bryant a cut above! Excellent!
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Very elegant in style as usual for Bryant, really lacks the complexity for such an expensive wine, the reason I stopped buying Bryant a few years ago… Some years it's off the chain and other years you are forced to buy good-very good wines at exceptional prices.
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3/14/2024 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 92 Points
Not the best btl we have had. Still a rock star and with lamb chops even better.
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10/19/2023 - capacious Likes this wine: 94 Points
Amazingly too young, or needed a longer decant. This can be even better with more time. A quintessential super level Napa cab, from a beautiful home north in the valley. Everything there you could hope for, and it should get better and better for many years
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8/25/2023 - Bodyfxr wrote: 97 Points
Decanted for approximately 2 and a half hours. A demure nose of red and black fruit, florals and perfume. Well balanced with lively red and black fruit, mushrooms, and hints of mint on the palate. Went great with grilled/pan seared fillets. Bryant never fails to please. Drink this wine whenever you can. Drink or hold.
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7/6/2023 - wineholder Likes this wine: 98 Points
been a while since I have had one of these puppies outrageous
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6/25/2023 - Barsacpinci wrote:
Cherries balance oak forest floor wonderful wine.
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5/9/2023 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 95 Points
Short 30 min decant. Wow. I marvel at the changes in the glass. Bright fruit, awesome palate feel. Long lingering finish. A touch of sweetness after swirling in the glass an hour later. BUY, HOL or drink for pleasure.
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12/31/2022 - Mortgage92 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Smooth, mellow, but bold. Yep, that about explains the black cassis and black fruit flavors with a slight minerality. Long lasting finish with long legs on the glass. I love Bryant wines (including Bettina). Their wines are always so perfectly balanced and age beautifully. Paired this wine with char grilled prime steaks....the perfect meal and match.
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11/24/2022 - wino tech wrote:
Thanksgiving 2022
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10/5/2022 - D'Yquembe Mutumbo wrote: 97 Points
What an absolute pleasure, this is definitely one of the best Napa Cabs that I have had. Lovely, rich, concentrated beauty with layers of red and blue fruits wrapped around a delicious mineral backbone. The kind of wine that makes going back to drinking regular wines that much harder.
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8/31/2022 - wineholder wrote: 97 Points
In a word wow!
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4/6/2022 - T.O.Wineaux Likes this wine: 98 Points
It's been a little over 7 years since I opened a bottle of the Bryant and it was well worth the wait. Just an absolutely elegant wine that has matured to a great place over the years.
The nose is filled with tobacco, olive tapenade, and blue/black fruits. The palate is dense without being overpowering...I despise using the cliche but it fits, the wine is an "iron fist in a velvet glove". A smooth mouthfeel, fully integrated tannins, and a finish that goes on and on. Not a wine built on sheer power but one that just oozes finesse. Fantabulous!
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1/8/2022 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 97 Points
Decanted for an hour. Voluptuous from the get go. Served with strip steak and the palate feel was delightful. This winery is a fav of my 89 yr old dad and the fruit lingered on in the glass forever. What a treat. Hold, buy, drink.
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12/2/2021 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted over cocktails. This has aged beautifully with dense black fruit, depth of flavor, earth, acid and supple tannins. I do think most of these super-premium Napa cult cabs are best when they are young and showing off the incredible fruit, but it certainly has many years ahead.
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9/12/2021 - msuwine wrote: 95 Points
This elegant and layered Cabernet is drinking beautifully right now, with an ethereal quality that is impressive for mountain fruit done in a modern style. Garnet in color and medium in body, the wine offers incredible aromas of blackberry, fresh leather, peppercorn, and bay leaf. Flavors of black cherry, graphite, sage, and tapenade, with a lifted and elegant finish. 14.8% alcohol. Decant at least two hours, and watch the sediment, of which there is plenty. Made by Ross Wallace. Drink in next few years.
I tasted this on the same night as a 2010 Ovid, another winery in that expensive neighborhood that is Pritchard Hill. To my surprise, I preferred the Ovid, which came across as more full, plush, and ripe. The Bryant had more precision and elegance than the Bryant, but sometimes you (or, um, I) like to turn the radio up to hear that sweet sound. The Bryant is more settled, while the Ovid is still sorting things out. Far better than it was earlier this year (3/21 - 94 points), the Ovid more than held its own against a wine that costs twice as much - no small feat in any neighborhood.
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9/16/2020 - tcosgriff Likes this wine: 95 Points
Garnet color with a bouquet and flavor of black cassis, blackberries, and cocoa. Very good depth and balance with a long finish. Not quite as good as the 2009, but still a wonderful wine and a wow. Bryant family has joined a host of other wineries that have priced their wines too high, even considering how very good they are. You can find wines at the same level that are cheaper, and why wouldn't you?
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12/7/2018 - beezer6 wrote: 95 Points
Taste at Hampton Social from private party.
Gorgeous cassis, herbs, cocoa nibs and violets. Touches of toasty oak but so well integrated.
Great mid palate and along balanced finish. Very complex sporting more dark chocolate covered cherries, toasted wood and some dark brown sugar.
Absolutely stunning wine. Still going strong obviously.
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9/8/2018 - JJB007 Likes this wine: 100 Points
After a 10 month break from my write ups - I'm back!!!
What a way to start - my best buddy and me knew it was going to be good but neither or us realized just how good - it was what I would call perfect - its going to be hard to appreciate any other from now on.
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5/31/2018 - dclaggett Likes this wine: 94 Points
2nd best wotn for me behind 09 Bond. Dark crimson/burgundy. Fine grained tannins. Med plus mouthfeel. Cult cab, great dark red and black fruit, extremely well made, powerful style, but retains some earthy character and avoids the closing sweetness of so many other Cali wines. Almost monolithic in profile now - needs half a day in decanter to appreciate. Will live for 20 more years. Predict slightly higher score in 10 years. This one needs patience.
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5/19/2017 - VDLT Wine Does not like this wine:
Kicking off the weekend (Sojourn Restaurant UES): I'm sure an argument will be made that this was too young and closed. But, I found none of the redeeming qualities reflected by most of the prior TN's bearing big scores. It was a hot, alcoholic mess. The tannins were not fierce but they were unpleasant. My experience with younger Napa Cabernet is limited but I've tasted enough young and shut down wines to be able to discern quality. I don't see it here. Possible that some score the label/pricetag instead of the wine?
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2/28/2017 - fournet Likes this wine: 96 Points
Unbelievable nose. Still very young but drinking nicely. Tannins integrated. A great wine.
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3/19/2016 - Wineson Likes this wine: 94 Points
WOTN
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12/31/2014 - Dskilbred Likes this wine: 95 Points
Simply stunning!!!
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12/21/2014 - drsdawkins Likes this wine: 94 Points
Arnika enjoyed with cheese and chicken salad. The vanilla nose is too strong for me. After the nose, it is good.
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11/23/2014 - T.O.Wineaux Likes this wine: 96 Points
Dinner out with friends at Mastros Ocean Club in Malibu featuring 07 Ornellaia, 01 Mondavi Reserve, and 10 Bryant. Bryant WOTN featuring dark fruits, spice, and a hint of cocoa on the nose. An elegant plush mouthfeel with smooth, well integrated tannins. All voted the Bryant a cut above! Excellent!
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10/17/2014 - Dnathanson Likes this wine: 96 Points
Hold for at least 2-3 years. Opened up beautifully after three hours but will evolve even better in the bottle over the next decade.
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8/14/2014 - Lord Rodney wrote: 97 Points
Stunning Cabernet Sauvignon!!!! Amazing green bell pepper lightness!! World class like David Abreu in my book. Should age of course
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8/8/2014 - dcwino wrote: 92 Points
Baller dinner honoring Chicago winos -- 99 La Tache, 99 Leroy RSV, 07 SE & etc (The Grill Room at Capella Hotel Georgetown): Expressive nose of cassis, black fruits, dark spices and lead pencil. Good concentration, silky palate, nicely integrated tannins and noticeable heat at the end.
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12/17/2013 - pakabear Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very elegant in style as usual for Bryant, really lacks the complexity for such an expensive wine, the reason I stopped buying Bryant a few years ago… Some years it's off the chain and other years you are forced to buy good-very good wines at exceptional prices.
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11/10/2013 - JJB007 Likes this wine: 92 Points
needs to cellar
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