Thin far a Napa Cab with a “could be anything” quality of a random, though perfectly fine,table wine. Would never guess this was a Napa Cab from an esteemed producer. The least pleasurable of the SH cabs I’ve tried. Drink now.
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Popped and poured. If I had to describe this wine in one word, that word would be "dill." The dill aroma and even stronger dill in the mouth just completely detract from any positive elements this might otherwise possess: I simply can't get past the overwhelming dill character of this wine. My last bottle I described as herbal; this one is distinctly "dilly." Can't imagine why I seem to be the only unlucky taster of this wine given the stellar notes of others. I can only rate what I taste, however. 5-10-6-3: 74/100.
This is very herbal. I don't like it. With some air, some of herbal elements began to fade and more cab fruit emerged, but not enough to overcome the overall herbaceous character. Too bad, I had high hopes. 4-9-12-5: 80/100.
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Reminds me a lot of the cabs from Matthiasson in that you get the deep cab notes you crave but with wonderful acidity and freshness to balance it out. Very good stuff.
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Shy inviting nose of dark berries, redwood forest, pretty floral overtones. Dense salty fruit on the palate with a gritty tannic base and a lovely sweet and sour acid back note. Clear kinship with the 2010 we had last night, with the same meal, this time with leftovers. At the same time a perceptible difference.
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Tasted at the winery. Aged in 15-20% New French and American oak. Translucent light to medium garnet. The nose is very subtle with a flowery perfume along with cassis and wet stones. The wine seems somewhat lean in texture but yet broad and deep in flavor. Medium tannin and medium+ acidity. I get both black berry fruit and red, like strawberry as well. It has a long and layered finish with hints of cedar and tobacco. My impression is that this wine is a bit shut down, in its “adolescent” phase where at 6 years it will not show so well and needs development. It either needs a lot more time in a decanter or preferably in a good cellar. 92 for now but I think better in half a decade or more.
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Tasted at the Skurnik Grand Portfolio Tasting in NYC. Poured by Sarah McCrea granddaughter of the founders of the winery Fred and Eleanor McCrea in 1943. My first taste of their Cab which I believe they have only been making for about a decade. Mountain grown, reserved, old Cali-style Cab. Very reminiscent of Mount Eden’s Cab’s to me. There is good acidity, plenty of tannic structure for long aging (as you might expect) and good density of flavor. Blackberries, chocolate, pie crust, herbal notes and earthy minerals all combine in a package that is not showing at its best yet, but with more time in the cellar will be a thing of beauty... I wouldn’t touch a bottle until its tenth birthday and expect it to be glorious through at least its 20th.
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I opened this much too early, but as I had never had a Stony Hill Cabernet, it seemed worth the experiment. The promise of the wine was undeniable, with a concentrated core of balanced fruit and ripe tannin. With a rich beef stew the wine did provide some pleasure, but it was much more about the future than the present. Fans of classically styled Napa Cabernet should stock up on this wine.
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Hair raising nose of chili chocolate, sun-baked hills, dried strawberries. Deep core of concentrated blackcurrants on the palate, firm tannic bite with a crisp acid frame. Young and raw, great structure, delicious, full of promise. 50 + 16 + 17 + 9 = 92.
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Inviting aromas of chocolate, blackberries and their pie crust, dry heath, floral hints. Clear sweet fruit on the palate, gritty tannins, clear acids, long fruit driven finish. Great balance and drive, moving. 50 + 17 + 16 + 9 = 92.
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3/28/2024 - Aunt Esther Likes this wine: 87 Points
Thin far a Napa Cab with a “could be anything” quality of a random, though perfectly fine,table wine. Would never guess this was a Napa Cab from an esteemed producer. The least pleasurable of the SH cabs I’ve tried. Drink now.
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7/23/2023 - 1961Vintage Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drinking very well, like a champ cab. Many more good years lieahead.
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4/6/2023 - MicklethePickle Does not like this wine: 74 Points
Popped and poured. If I had to describe this wine in one word, that word would be "dill." The dill aroma and even stronger dill in the mouth just completely detract from any positive elements this might otherwise possess: I simply can't get past the overwhelming dill character of this wine. My last bottle I described as herbal; this one is distinctly "dilly." Can't imagine why I seem to be the only unlucky taster of this wine given the stellar notes of others. I can only rate what I taste, however. 5-10-6-3: 74/100.
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2/2/2023 - 1961Vintage wrote: 90 Points
Took a while to express itself but remains a bit thin. Hoping it improves and opens more with further cellaring.
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4/22/2021 - MicklethePickle Does not like this wine: 80 Points
This is very herbal. I don't like it. With some air, some of herbal elements began to fade and more cab fruit emerged, but not enough to overcome the overall herbaceous character. Too bad, I had high hopes. 4-9-12-5: 80/100.
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12/16/2020 - thomlinsprings wrote: 91 Points
Very approachable. Juicy with acid and not much tannin. You could tell it was from high up on Spring Mtn. Wonderful wine.
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8/6/2020 - domco wrote:
Reminds me a lot of the cabs from Matthiasson in that you get the deep cab notes you crave but with wonderful acidity and freshness to balance it out. Very good stuff.
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6/26/2020 - wgmccallum Likes this wine: 93 Points
Shy inviting nose of dark berries, redwood forest, pretty floral overtones. Dense salty fruit on the palate with a gritty tannic base and a lovely sweet and sour acid back note. Clear kinship with the 2010 we had last night, with the same meal, this time with leftovers. At the same time a perceptible difference.
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6/10/2019 - oldwines Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasted at the winery. Aged in 15-20% New French and American oak. Translucent light to medium garnet. The nose is very subtle with a flowery perfume along with cassis and wet stones. The wine seems somewhat lean in texture but yet broad and deep in flavor. Medium tannin and medium+ acidity. I get both black berry fruit and red, like strawberry as well. It has a long and layered finish with hints of cedar and tobacco. My impression is that this wine is a bit shut down, in its “adolescent” phase where at 6 years it will not show so well and needs development. It either needs a lot more time in a decanter or preferably in a good cellar. 92 for now but I think better in half a decade or more.
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3/4/2019 - oldwines Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasted at the Skurnik Grand Portfolio Tasting in NYC. Poured by Sarah McCrea granddaughter of the founders of the winery Fred and Eleanor McCrea in 1943. My first taste of their Cab which I believe they have only been making for about a decade. Mountain grown, reserved, old Cali-style Cab. Very reminiscent of Mount Eden’s Cab’s to me. There is good acidity, plenty of tannic structure for long aging (as you might expect) and good density of flavor. Blackberries, chocolate, pie crust, herbal notes and earthy minerals all combine in a package that is not showing at its best yet, but with more time in the cellar will be a thing of beauty... I wouldn’t touch a bottle until its tenth birthday and expect it to be glorious through at least its 20th.
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2/5/2019 - Rieslingfan wrote:
I opened this much too early, but as I had never had a Stony Hill Cabernet, it seemed worth the experiment. The promise of the wine was undeniable, with a concentrated core of balanced fruit and ripe tannin. With a rich beef stew the wine did provide some pleasure, but it was much more about the future than the present. Fans of classically styled Napa Cabernet should stock up on this wine.
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6/25/2018 - wgmccallum Likes this wine: 92 Points
Hair raising nose of chili chocolate, sun-baked hills, dried strawberries. Deep core of concentrated blackcurrants on the palate, firm tannic bite with a crisp acid frame. Young and raw, great structure, delicious, full of promise. 50 + 16 + 17 + 9 = 92.
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6/4/2018 - MattMauldin wrote:
Napa Valley & Chalk Hill AVA winery visits - 5/30 & 5/31, 2018: Aromas of vanilla, leather, cassis and blue florals. Stately on the palate, showing cedar, dark fruits and spices. Broad grainy tannins. Medium finish.
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4/2/2018 - wgmccallum Likes this wine: 92 Points
Inviting aromas of chocolate, blackberries and their pie crust, dry heath, floral hints. Clear sweet fruit on the palate, gritty tannins, clear acids, long fruit driven finish. Great balance and drive, moving. 50 + 17 + 16 + 9 = 92.
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