So I'm on a 'old-school Cali Cab' kick. You know - DC, Mayacamas, Dunn, Togni, Corison, MB, Dominus. I have some that have been in the cellar since release, but is one of my recent purchases. Classic right out of the gate with dark blue-black fruits (cassis, blackberry, some black cherry) along with strong pine smell with some mint maybe a bit of eucalyptus. Forest and forest floor. Some dark and xmas spices with a hint of fruitcake. Deep with resolved sweetness and nice herbal tones. The nose is the best and it is enveloping. Palate is similar in flavor - quite resolved IMO - deep dark sweet fruits, velvety, but not heavy - nice lift. Strong herbal/green/mint/eucalyptus flavors with some dark spice and minerality. Like the nose, this is deep and luscious, resolved but not heavy. Finish has some grip with the same flavor notes as the nose and palate. Feels like it drops off a bit in the finish at points. A touch of fine puckery tannins at the end. Maybe a touch soft for me, but it is very good and really scratches the itch. Drink now and for the next 5 years. Nose - 5.5/6, Palate - 5-5.5/6, Finish - 5/6, Je ne Sais Quoi - 1-1.5/2 = 16.5-17.5/20.
Day 3: Still very good, but it was better on day 1.
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Dark red fruit with nice touch of mint, cedar, and earthiness. Mature palate, nice acidity and attractive finish. Fully mature and ready to go but has legs
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California Mavericks @ Five Sails: 13.5% abv. Wasn't getting much on the nose... Oak and some floral. Slight tartness. Wasn't a very interesting wine tonight. Iron in the soil + steep/north facing vineyard supposed to result in a more elegant wine, which might explain why it was overpowered by the Volcanic Hill drunk alongside.
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Uncorked the bottle and it sat in the cellar for six hours, then decanted for two. Drank over the course of two hours. This is an old-style wine, meant to last for decades. This was a massive wine that had subtle, pronounced tannins, understated dark fruit and the earth elements that blended together in a seamless fashion.
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Not showing very much. It took waiting overnight to expose some floral elements and a bit of red fruit. I think it needs more time, much more time. Was best on the third night on its own, as flavors were delicate and somewhat fleeting.
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Big black cherry fruit with cedary flavors, still needs lots of time to open up, tied for best wine at Diamond Creek tasting which included 1998 & 2001 VH, RRT, & MG
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(?) Hoping the wine is in a dumb period. Decanted 4 hours from a cold cellar. Nose is all there with hay, a bit of dirt, and cherry liqueur. Absolutely nothing on the palate. Vigorous aeration yields a hint of what the wine could be (or once was?). I will give my other bottles time in hopes that this bottle was closed down.
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Popped and poured. Medium red in the glass, looks and feels younger than it is. Very approachable. Medium weight and initially restrained. Opened up in the glass, but not flamboyant. Almost Bordeaux in style, but with definitive Napa fruit. A very, very enjoyable cabernet style for me. Drinking perfectly now and has plenty of life.
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Bright, high toned nose with a touch of the Graves like about it, roasted brick character. Fairly light but appealing palate, ripe style but balanced by nice structure and alcohol is well held. Good length. Young but good potential there.
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9/4/2021 - Seth Rosenberg Likes this wine: 94 Points
So I'm on a 'old-school Cali Cab' kick. You know - DC, Mayacamas, Dunn, Togni, Corison, MB, Dominus. I have some that have been in the cellar since release, but is one of my recent purchases. Classic right out of the gate with dark blue-black fruits (cassis, blackberry, some black cherry) along with strong pine smell with some mint maybe a bit of eucalyptus. Forest and forest floor. Some dark and xmas spices with a hint of fruitcake. Deep with resolved sweetness and nice herbal tones. The nose is the best and it is enveloping. Palate is similar in flavor - quite resolved IMO - deep dark sweet fruits, velvety, but not heavy - nice lift. Strong herbal/green/mint/eucalyptus flavors with some dark spice and minerality. Like the nose, this is deep and luscious, resolved but not heavy. Finish has some grip with the same flavor notes as the nose and palate. Feels like it drops off a bit in the finish at points. A touch of fine puckery tannins at the end. Maybe a touch soft for me, but it is very good and really scratches the itch. Drink now and for the next 5 years. Nose - 5.5/6, Palate - 5-5.5/6, Finish - 5/6, Je ne Sais Quoi - 1-1.5/2 = 16.5-17.5/20.
Day 3: Still very good, but it was better on day 1.
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5/17/2021 - mchern02 wrote: 93 Points
1 Hour Decant
Dark red fruit with nice touch of mint, cedar, and earthiness. Mature palate, nice acidity and attractive finish. Fully mature and ready to go but has legs
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10/22/2017 - WestUAg wrote: 95 Points
What a great bottle, earthy flavors...smooth fruit and this bottle could last for many years...1 hour decant and it was perfect
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4/17/2017 - WoodieBayArea wrote:
NR as I drank this a while back and no notes, but definitely remember this being really really good... rebuy!
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6/29/2015 - Winiac wrote: 89 Points
Very nice bouquet but a bit short on the body and structure.
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6/26/2014 - DrakkarNoir wrote:
California Mavericks @ Five Sails: 13.5% abv. Wasn't getting much on the nose... Oak and some floral. Slight tartness. Wasn't a very interesting wine tonight. Iron in the soil + steep/north facing vineyard supposed to result in a more elegant wine, which might explain why it was overpowered by the Volcanic Hill drunk alongside.
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5/9/2014 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 93 Points
Diamond Creek Introspective Tasting (Del Frisco's Chicago, IL): Initially tight on the plate, decanted for a min of and hour, good fruit and good tannins, lasted on the palate
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8/11/2013 - drmarc61 wrote: 95 Points
Uncorked the bottle and it sat in the cellar for six hours, then decanted for two. Drank over the course of two hours. This is an old-style wine, meant to last for decades. This was a massive wine that had subtle, pronounced tannins, understated dark fruit and the earth elements that blended together in a seamless fashion.
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1/7/2013 - jrkennedy37 wrote:
Not showing very much. It took waiting overnight to expose some floral elements and a bit of red fruit. I think it needs more time, much more time. Was best on the third night on its own, as flavors were delicate and somewhat fleeting.
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7/9/2012 - n2wine wrote: 93 Points
Great Napa cab. Brickish in color. Cherry flavors. Decanted for 3 hours which led to a very smooth and enjoyable wine.
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6/23/2012 - SimpleBoyFromD wrote: 93 Points
Velvety, smooth
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1/26/2012 - Amerique wrote: 94 Points
Big black cherry fruit with cedary flavors, still needs lots of time to open up, tied for best wine at Diamond Creek tasting which included 1998 & 2001 VH, RRT, & MG
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11/13/2011 - RMundell Likes this wine: 94 Points
Beautiful cabernet. Still extremely young ten years in.
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8/16/2011 - Winiac wrote: 95 Points
Dark ruby. Incredible balance, bouquet and flavor. Solid structure yet supple and delicious. Quintessential well-made California premium wine!
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7/4/2011 - prettydeceextrap wrote:
(?) Hoping the wine is in a dumb period. Decanted 4 hours from a cold cellar. Nose is all there with hay, a bit of dirt, and cherry liqueur. Absolutely nothing on the palate. Vigorous aeration yields a hint of what the wine could be (or once was?). I will give my other bottles time in hopes that this bottle was closed down.
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6/19/2010 - toddjerry wrote: 94 Points
Popped and poured. Medium red in the glass, looks and feels younger than it is. Very approachable. Medium weight and initially restrained. Opened up in the glass, but not flamboyant. Almost Bordeaux in style, but with definitive Napa fruit. A very, very enjoyable cabernet style for me. Drinking perfectly now and has plenty of life.
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11/21/2004 - TGHaddon wrote:
Bright, high toned nose with a touch of the Graves like about it, roasted brick character. Fairly light but appealing palate, ripe style but balanced by nice structure and alcohol is well held. Good length. Young but good potential there.
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