In a very Robert Parker way, gobbles and gobbles of fruit and chocolate. A really powerfully expression of Napa. Needs several hours of decanting to open up, but when it does OMG it’s wine heaven.
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Fruit is still good and strong, wine is silky smooth however for whatever reason, I seem to be picking up a bit of an overbearing smokiness to the fruit and this is something I don't particularly like in my reds. Maybe just a bit too much barrel char for me? Still a good wine.....thanks to HMC for opening.
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A very nice fruit forward modern Napa Cabernet, pleasing but not particularly complex. Much like previous tastings this wine is loaded with purple and blue fruit notes. Its medium heavy weighted, has low acidity and seems to be made to drink early. All in all very good but just not that compelling at this point. Seems to me it was slightly more interesting a year or 2 ago. Will hold onto my last one and revisit in a year or two, 92-93
A wonderful fruit dominated wine made in Mike Smith's signature style. PNP with my friend Marknpt1 and served along side a 2016 B Cellars Oakville and 2016 Venge Family Reserve.
3 excellent but very different wines. Of the 3, the 12C was much more black and purple fruit dominated. It wasn't out of balance as there was enough tannin and acid to round out --but the front end fruit dominated. It was missing some of the finesse and complexity of the Venge and that was my favorite tonight. The B Cellars BTW was a bit tannic and I felt it needed more bottle time to find itself.
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Get together with some friends: 2015 Carter Weitz cab, 2015 Myriad Beckstoffer Georges cab, 2015 12c Beckstoffer Georges cab, 2014 Quivet Kenefick Ranch cab, and 2014 Lewelling cab.
Purple fruit - blackberry, dark currants, dark cherry, and a little dark plum. Smooth mid-palate coupled with decent depth, however, I thought the last bottle showed a little more depth/concentration after a 4 hour slow ox. In addition, this bottle came across a little richer/sweeter. Fairly long finish with a little old world flair. Popped/poured but drank out of a decanter for a couple hours. Not much improvement with time but drinking pretty well right away despite it's youth. However, I'm thinking that another 6 months should serve this vintage well in light of how much better the last bottle showed after a 4 hour slow ox.
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Purple fruit - blackberry, dark currants, dark cherry, and a little blueberry. Smooth mid-palate coupled with solid depth and a nice purity. Rich/vibrant flavors of dark berries, some spice, and a little mineral component. Fairly long finish. Slow ox for 4 hours and drank out of a decanter for another three. I actually preferred it right after the slow ox because it showed more depth/concentration but the fruit did open-up more especially on the back-end in the decanter. My favorite vintage of this wine that I’ve had so far and very approachable at this stage despite it's youth.
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1 hour decant. Deep red wine that exhibits notes of minerality and berry on the nose. Nice balance with softer tannins for such a youngster. Pleasing dark berry, cherry liqueur and barrel char components. Adequate acid that balances nicely with the fruit and wood components to provide a wonderful overall experience. This is not a brute, fruit only wine but a substantial wine with a bit of elegance and refinement. FWIW My wife describes as Rum raisin w/black walnuts.
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12/5/2020 - wcb2 wrote:
Usual great. Even better second day. So very good then. Dark, med body, fair fruit. Balanced.
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8/15/2020 - AndreRibeiroChaves Likes this wine: 95 Points
In a very Robert Parker way, gobbles and gobbles of fruit and chocolate. A really powerfully expression of Napa. Needs several hours of decanting to open up, but when it does OMG it’s wine heaven.
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11/3/2019 - Mark1npt Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fruit is still good and strong, wine is silky smooth however for whatever reason, I seem to be picking up a bit of an overbearing smokiness to the fruit and this is something I don't particularly like in my reds. Maybe just a bit too much barrel char for me? Still a good wine.....thanks to HMC for opening.
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11/3/2019 - HowellMountainCru Likes this wine: 93 Points
A very nice fruit forward modern Napa Cabernet, pleasing but not particularly complex. Much like previous tastings this wine is loaded with purple and blue fruit notes. Its medium heavy weighted, has low acidity and seems to be made to drink early. All in all very good but just not that compelling at this point. Seems to me it was slightly more interesting a year or 2 ago. Will hold onto my last one and revisit in a year or two, 92-93
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8/10/2019 - HowellMountainCru Likes this wine: 94 Points
A wonderful fruit dominated wine made in Mike Smith's signature style. PNP with my friend Marknpt1 and served along side a 2016 B Cellars Oakville and 2016 Venge Family Reserve.
3 excellent but very different wines. Of the 3, the 12C was much more black and purple fruit dominated. It wasn't out of balance as there was enough tannin and acid to round out --but the front end fruit dominated. It was missing some of the finesse and complexity of the Venge and that was my favorite tonight. The B Cellars BTW was a bit tannic and I felt it needed more bottle time to find itself.
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1/7/2019 - jaxpaj wrote: 94 Points
Preferred this when drinking side by side with Quivet Pellet. Both very good.
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5/5/2018 - Badmonkey wrote: 93 Points
Get together with some friends: 2015 Carter Weitz cab, 2015 Myriad Beckstoffer Georges cab, 2015 12c Beckstoffer Georges cab, 2014 Quivet Kenefick Ranch cab, and 2014 Lewelling cab.
Purple fruit - blackberry, dark currants, dark cherry, and a little dark plum. Smooth mid-palate coupled with decent depth, however, I thought the last bottle showed a little more depth/concentration after a 4 hour slow ox. In addition, this bottle came across a little richer/sweeter. Fairly long finish with a little old world flair. Popped/poured but drank out of a decanter for a couple hours. Not much improvement with time but drinking pretty well right away despite it's youth. However, I'm thinking that another 6 months should serve this vintage well in light of how much better the last bottle showed after a 4 hour slow ox.
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5/2/2018 - Badmonkey wrote: 94 Points
Purple fruit - blackberry, dark currants, dark cherry, and a little blueberry. Smooth mid-palate coupled with solid depth and a nice purity. Rich/vibrant flavors of dark berries, some spice, and a little mineral component. Fairly long finish. Slow ox for 4 hours and drank out of a decanter for another three. I actually preferred it right after the slow ox because it showed more depth/concentration but the fruit did open-up more especially on the back-end in the decanter. My favorite vintage of this wine that I’ve had so far and very approachable at this stage despite it's youth.
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2/3/2018 - atilathehun wrote: 94 Points
All blue fruits with chalky tannins, needed an hour to strut, enjoyed more then I expected
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1/28/2018 - HowellMountainCru Likes this wine: 95 Points
1 hour decant. Deep red wine that exhibits notes of minerality and berry on the nose. Nice balance with softer tannins for such a youngster. Pleasing dark berry, cherry liqueur and barrel char components. Adequate acid that balances nicely with the fruit and wood components to provide a wonderful overall experience. This is not a brute, fruit only wine but a substantial wine with a bit of elegance and refinement. FWIW My wife describes as Rum raisin w/black walnuts.
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