Splash decanted. Dark fruited with some plum and currant notes with some mild black cherry highlights. Oak still integrating as there’s a coconut and vanilla element. Slightly coarse tannins. Could still use some time to integrate.
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Sadly my last bottle of this and similar scores and descriptions to past reviews (94). Very red fruited, balanced and structured. Probably one of The best cabs of the 17 vintage.
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24 hour decant, note from 48hr mark. Dark purple with a black as night core. Boysenberry, black currant and a hint of leather. Medium bodied more black currant, tar, roasted coffee beans and some red berries coming in late with the rush of acidity. Tannins are still firm and chalky. Judicious oak, it’s coming around nicely, will check back in in 4-5yrs.
On p+p, sort of a blueberry pie nose, palate has a bit of tobacco and tannic structure, saline acidity, very long finish, red fruited. Structured, but not confected - Enjoyable, punchy wine in an off vintage, but there’s a definite tannic wall in the mid-palate that hasn’t resolved - could use some time, but enjoyable now. After 2 hours in the decanter, dark fruit, cedar and 5 spice on the nose. Palate is better integrated but tannic structure still present and very fresh. Acid is almost piquant but not tangy or tart. Lovely fruit, long finish. Better on day 2, just a really nice cali cab. Touch more sweetness from the fruit, more earth and sandalwood on the nose - really smooth, still structured and complex
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Three years since my last bottle and just as good. Deep dark red fruit—dark cherries, red plums, cranberry. Some vanilla and more Christmas spice than I noticed previously. Nice tartness from the acid while still being fruity but not jammy. This is right in my wheelhouse. 4 hour decant and drank over 90 min. That seemed about right.
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This sucker was great. Popped it open, let it slow ox (didn't have a decanter available) and drank after an hour. just delicious black fruit, a bit of cocoa and rakish type notes that were pretty well integrated. pencil, herbs. Tannins present but no distracting with solid acidity. the mouthfeel was spectacular. The second day saw more savory characteristics and more balance. This is great to drink now but cellar with confidence.
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Came across some bottles in the secondary market at a nice price. My first experience with this producer - a pleasant surprise. More of a classic profile in my opinion. Dark ruby fruit - dark cherry, currants, blackberry, and some plum. Smooth mid-palate with a nice purity and decent depth/concentration. Nice flavors of cassis, some spice, a little cocoa, and some plum. Fairly long finish. Decanted for two hours and drank over a couple more. Not much improvement with time but appears to be at a nice drinking point. A solid cab from a challenging vintage - no surprise of the 93 rating from Galloni and 92 from WS. I need to pick-up a bottle from a better vintage. 100% cab.
I'd rank this a step or two down from the amazing 2016. To me, this was more red-fruited than the darker 2016. This wasn't decanted and was enjoyed over four hours. Red cherry, spice, red plum. Silky but structured. I'd say it's fine to drink now, but definitely can hold as well.
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Darker fruit profile but lovely aromatic lift adding some red florals. Fine palate, not over done but chalky tannins n the back end. Finish is long. Quite nice. No heat.
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Didn’t take notes on this one, but have to say I was very impressed. I served it to my wife blind and she thought it was terrific, as well. Knowing that it was made by a great guy like Will doesn’t hurt, but this certainly stands on its own merits as the best 2017 I’ve had to date. Wish I had more, but am glad to have stocked up on the ‘19s.
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Had a special dinner with some friends and decided to try this bottle to see were it was in its evolution. This was absolutely terrific right out of the gate. Excellent balance and a captivating nose. Really dark purple in color. The palate had blue and a hint of black fruit notes. I noted blueberry pie with less sweetness but you get a hint of that along with cassis, and blackberry and raspberry jam notes that seemed to come along for the ride. Great bottle and the first of four. I can’t wait to get the chance to open another one.
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Good but certainly not my favorite William/Mary and surprisingly I preferred the proprietary over this. Nice dark fruit with a very cooling/juicy character to it but not showing much beyond that. Opened in the bottle a few hours and decanted a few more. Did not seem overly tannic, closed or acidic just flat. Give it a few years.
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I still question my ability to write valuable tasting notes, so I’ll share what I’d like to know. This was excellent and I’m happy I opened it - I wouldn’t have been disappointed if it was my only bottle and I’m also glad to have two more.
Beautiful nose immediately after popping the cork and it continued to evolve over the course of 4 hours. My wife loved it from the first sip - we kept stealing small pours - but it really hit stride around the 3 hour mark. Dark cherry, cassis, and a little blueberry followed by lovely baking spice and sweet oak notes. Supple with a little grippiness which I enjoy, tannin was more resolved than I had expected. Nicely balanced acidity, gorgeous color, and a long finish. With the remaining two, I’m thinking 2025 and 2029, but what do I know :)
Decanted and drank over 3 hours; while delicious, it could have used more air; on the nose, this was very aromatic dominated by dark cherries with some floral undertones; the same dark cherry filled the palate up front but graphite, light cocoa and toasted oak softly enveloped the dark red fruit goodness shortly thereafter; there is a tiny bit of sweetness (cherry kirsch-esque) throughout but it's very nuanced and graceful; well structured with firm tannins right now that only began to soften after several hours.
Over the 2014-2017 vintages, these Shifflett Ranch Cabs continuously give me more red fruit and specifically dark cherry throughout. I've never gotten much of a blue or black fruit out of these. They have all been more of an "old-world" style (but still distinctively Napa) and all very polished. This vintage reminds me of the 2015.
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Drinking nicely right out of the bottle but even better with 4 hours of air. Really nice mix of red and black fruit with an acid kick on the finish that really brought out the red fruit. Vanilla and cloves. Not an alcohol or a fruit bomb like many of the 2017s I have had. This is a beautiful wine.
Decanted for 3+ hours. Drank over 1-2 hours. Dark color juice. Black and blue fruit, hints of vanilla, some violets maybe? on the nose. Firm tannins and structure, but not overpowering. The longer I sipped the better it got. Medium body, long finish, great taste in your mouth, some herbs in the back end of the palate. Paired with a prime rib. It was delicious. Perfect acidity level on the wine just cut through the fat cleansing my palate over and over after every bite of the juicy steak. Ended up opening a 2015 Maybach Materium as well that night and this wine was WOTN by a mile... or two. 94 with room for upgrade after a couple more years laying flat.
PNP. Dark color, almost opaque. Nose and taste of cassis, blackberry, other dark fruit. Youthful, pure fruit, but not ripe, a lovely restrained medium body, good structure, and enough acidity for lift. Vanilla, but not distracting. Approachable now with decant, this will be extraordinary with a few more years to integrate and develop.
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Pop and pour and followed over several hours. Big rich nose of vanilla, toast and black fruits. Palate is rather plush, fruity, and forward. Doesn’t have the depth of ‘15 or ‘16. Oak tannins on the finish. Very young but nicely constructed. Oak notes should fold into the fruit with time. Quite approachable at this young age.
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PnP. Drank well out of the gate. Had this right after the ‘17 Prop Red. This was far more expressive and ready to go. Lovely nose and palate, mostly on the red fruit spectrum, but no detailed notes. Tannins still hanging around, but not in the way, good oak management. Still think this has room to run up with air and/or time in the cellar. Thanks to Will for showing these in Houston—they were a hit and went fast! Drink the ‘17 CS now and cellar the ‘17 Prop Red.
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Napa 2019; 7/14/2019-7/18/2019: Tasting with Will at Rivers Marie. Lovely red fruit profile with tannins still holding this one back. Oak in play but complimentary. Every bit as good as the Rivers Marie Panek we had at the same tasting. Room to run up a point or two once this integrates. I would not hesitate to pop one with only a year or two cellaring and some air time. A great effort. I am a buyer.
Tasting with William at Mending Wall. No notes. Barrel sample. Awesome extremely well done. Dark fruit with lots of complexity- dark fruits and dexterity. Excellent. QPR is very much in our benefit. Grab these while you can.94+
Buy the 2016s while they are still available for a glimpse of the future.
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5/5/2024 - Nutty08 wrote: 93 Points
Splash decanted. Dark fruited with some plum and currant notes with some mild black cherry highlights. Oak still integrating as there’s a coconut and vanilla element. Slightly coarse tannins. Could still use some time to integrate.
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4/19/2024 - kkoshkin Likes this wine: 96 Points
**Chef's kiss**
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3/7/2024 - Decanting Queen Likes this wine:
Sadly my last bottle of this and similar scores and descriptions to past reviews (94). Very red fruited, balanced and structured. Probably one of
The best cabs of the 17 vintage.
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12/28/2023 - EMTAME wrote: 93 Points
Very nice if not quite up to my two previous bottles. I gave it 2.5 hours of air but believe it would have benefitted from more.
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10/5/2023 - Backdoctor wrote: 94 Points
excellent wine, was a pop and pour
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7/23/2023 - River Rat Likes this wine:
24 hour decant, note from 48hr mark. Dark purple with a black as night core. Boysenberry, black currant and a hint of leather. Medium bodied more black currant, tar, roasted coffee beans and some red berries coming in late with the rush of acidity. Tannins are still firm and chalky. Judicious oak, it’s coming around nicely, will check back in in 4-5yrs.
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6/27/2023 - Jpetrila Likes this wine: 93 Points
On p+p, sort of a blueberry pie nose, palate has a bit of tobacco and tannic structure, saline acidity, very long finish, red fruited. Structured, but not confected - Enjoyable, punchy wine in an off vintage, but there’s a definite tannic wall in the mid-palate that hasn’t resolved - could use some time, but enjoyable now. After 2 hours in the decanter, dark fruit, cedar and 5 spice on the nose. Palate is better integrated but tannic structure still present and very fresh. Acid is almost piquant but not tangy or tart. Lovely fruit, long finish. Better on day 2, just a really nice cali cab. Touch more sweetness from the fruit, more earth and sandalwood on the nose - really smooth, still structured and complex
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6/23/2023 - Decanting Queen Likes this wine: 94 Points
Three years since my last bottle and just as good. Deep dark red fruit—dark cherries, red plums, cranberry. Some vanilla and more Christmas spice than I noticed previously. Nice tartness from the acid while still being fruity but not jammy. This is right in my wheelhouse.
4 hour decant and drank over 90 min. That seemed about right.
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6/23/2023 - Rywyine Likes this wine:
This sucker was great. Popped it open, let it slow ox (didn't have a decanter available) and drank after an hour. just delicious black fruit, a bit of cocoa and rakish type notes that were pretty well integrated. pencil, herbs. Tannins present but no distracting with solid acidity. the mouthfeel was spectacular. The second day saw more savory characteristics and more balance. This is great to drink now but cellar with confidence.
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3/14/2023 - Badmonkey wrote: 93 Points
Came across some bottles in the secondary market at a nice price. My first experience with this producer - a pleasant surprise. More of a classic profile in my opinion. Dark ruby fruit - dark cherry, currants, blackberry, and some plum. Smooth mid-palate with a nice purity and decent depth/concentration. Nice flavors of cassis, some spice, a little cocoa, and some plum. Fairly long finish. Decanted for two hours and drank over a couple more. Not much improvement with time but appears to be at a nice drinking point. A solid cab from a challenging vintage - no surprise of the 93 rating from Galloni and 92 from WS. I need to pick-up a bottle from a better vintage. 100% cab.
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9/5/2022 - BRR Likes this wine: 92 Points
I'd rank this a step or two down from the amazing 2016. To me, this was more red-fruited than the darker 2016. This wasn't decanted and was enjoyed over four hours. Red cherry, spice, red plum. Silky but structured. I'd say it's fine to drink now, but definitely can hold as well.
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9/3/2022 - ROrmand Likes this wine: 93 Points
Well framed pure fruit is the highlight here. A classy wine that can be enjoyed now or cellared with confidence.
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8/14/2022 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Darker fruit profile but lovely aromatic lift adding some red florals. Fine palate, not over done but chalky tannins n the back end. Finish is long. Quite nice. No heat.
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7/4/2022 - EMTAME wrote: 94 Points
Didn’t take notes on this one, but have to say I was very impressed. I served it to my wife blind and she thought it was terrific, as well. Knowing that it was made by a great guy like Will doesn’t hurt, but this certainly stands on its own merits as the best 2017 I’ve had to date. Wish I had more, but am glad to have stocked up on the ‘19s.
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3/19/2022 - travelme Likes this wine: 94 Points
Had a special dinner with some friends and decided to try this bottle to see were it was in its evolution. This was absolutely terrific right out of the gate. Excellent balance and a captivating nose. Really dark purple in color. The palate had blue and a hint of black fruit notes. I noted blueberry pie with less sweetness but you get a hint of that along with cassis, and blackberry and raspberry jam notes that seemed to come along for the ride. Great bottle and the first of four. I can’t wait to get the chance to open another one.
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3/5/2022 - bendb Likes this wine: 94 Points
Beautiful! Full texture, red currants, figs, and mint, in the mouth. The nose was subdued, but the palate more than made up for it.
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1/29/2022 - bottles.and.bites Likes this wine: 95 Points
Black cherry, blackberry, currants, mint, rosemary, mouth coating tannins, finishes salty earthy mushrooms. Good acid & structure. Great with food.
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11/20/2021 - chuckos77 Likes this wine: 93 Points
3 hour decant
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9/21/2021 - RMundell Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drinking very nice with a short decant. Love this wine!
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4/8/2021 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 93 Points
Good but certainly not my favorite William/Mary and surprisingly I preferred the proprietary over this. Nice dark fruit with a very cooling/juicy character to it but not showing much beyond that. Opened in the bottle a few hours and decanted a few more. Did not seem overly tannic, closed or acidic just flat. Give it a few years.
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3/20/2021 - gratefulbbq Likes this wine: 95 Points
TLDR - killer wine, decant 3-4 hours.
I still question my ability to write valuable tasting notes, so I’ll share what I’d like to know. This was excellent and I’m happy I opened it - I wouldn’t have been disappointed if it was my only bottle and I’m also glad to have two more.
Beautiful nose immediately after popping the cork and it continued to evolve over the course of 4 hours. My wife loved it from the first sip - we kept stealing small pours - but it really hit stride around the 3 hour mark. Dark cherry, cassis, and a little blueberry followed by lovely baking spice and sweet oak notes. Supple with a little grippiness which I enjoy, tannin was more resolved than I had expected. Nicely balanced acidity, gorgeous color, and a long finish. With the remaining two, I’m thinking 2025 and 2029, but what do I know :)
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11/3/2020 - jimyeni Likes this wine: 93 Points
Napa trip November 2020; 10/31/2020-11/14/2020 (Napa, CA): Elegant and floral with nice fruit. Surprisingly smooth for a 2017. Enjoyed this a lot. Tasted at Mensing Wall.
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7/23/2020 - tcufletch Likes this wine:
Decanted and drank over 3 hours; while delicious, it could have used more air; on the nose, this was very aromatic dominated by dark cherries with some floral undertones; the same dark cherry filled the palate up front but graphite, light cocoa and toasted oak softly enveloped the dark red fruit goodness shortly thereafter; there is a tiny bit of sweetness (cherry kirsch-esque) throughout but it's very nuanced and graceful; well structured with firm tannins right now that only began to soften after several hours.
Over the 2014-2017 vintages, these Shifflett Ranch Cabs continuously give me more red fruit and specifically dark cherry throughout. I've never gotten much of a blue or black fruit out of these. They have all been more of an "old-world" style (but still distinctively Napa) and all very polished. This vintage reminds me of the 2015.
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7/9/2020 - Decanting Queen Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drinking nicely right out of the bottle but even better with 4 hours of air. Really nice mix of red and black fruit with an acid kick on the finish that really brought out the red fruit. Vanilla and cloves. Not an alcohol or a fruit bomb like many of the 2017s I have had. This is a beautiful wine.
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7/8/2020 - Raflores86 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for 3+ hours. Drank over 1-2 hours. Dark color juice. Black and blue fruit, hints of vanilla, some violets maybe? on the nose. Firm tannins and structure, but not overpowering. The longer I sipped the better it got. Medium body, long finish, great taste in your mouth, some herbs in the back end of the palate. Paired with a prime rib. It was delicious. Perfect acidity level on the wine just cut through the fat cleansing my palate over and over after every bite of the juicy steak. Ended up opening a 2015 Maybach Materium as well that night and this wine was WOTN by a mile... or two. 94 with room for upgrade after a couple more years laying flat.
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5/29/2020 - Maphill01 Likes this wine:
PNP. Dark color, almost opaque. Nose and taste of cassis, blackberry, other dark fruit. Youthful, pure fruit, but not ripe, a lovely restrained medium body, good structure, and enough acidity for lift. Vanilla, but not distracting. Approachable now with decant, this will be extraordinary with a few more years to integrate and develop.
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3/22/2020 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Pop and pour and followed over several hours. Big rich nose of vanilla, toast and black fruits. Palate is rather plush, fruity, and forward. Doesn’t have the depth of ‘15 or ‘16. Oak tannins on the finish. Very young but nicely constructed. Oak notes should fold into the fruit with time. Quite approachable at this young age.
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2/23/2020 - brigcampbell wrote:
Superb. But you don't need me to tell you. Cassis, toast, and nice acid.
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12/14/2019 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine: 93 Points
PnP. Drank well out of the gate. Had this right after the ‘17 Prop Red. This was far more expressive and ready to go. Lovely nose and palate, mostly on the red fruit spectrum, but no detailed notes. Tannins still hanging around, but not in the way, good oak management. Still think this has room to run up with air and/or time in the cellar. Thanks to Will for showing these in Houston—they were a hit and went fast! Drink the ‘17 CS now and cellar the ‘17 Prop Red.
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7/17/2019 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine: 94 Points
Napa 2019; 7/14/2019-7/18/2019: Tasting with Will at Rivers Marie. Lovely red fruit profile with tannins still holding this one back. Oak in play but complimentary. Every bit as good as the Rivers Marie Panek we had at the same tasting. Room to run up a point or two once this integrates. I would not hesitate to pop one with only a year or two cellaring and some air time. A great effort. I am a buyer.
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11/6/2018 - LiteItOnFire Likes this wine: 94 Points
Tasting with William at Mending Wall. No notes. Barrel sample. Awesome extremely well done. Dark fruit with lots of complexity- dark fruits and dexterity. Excellent. QPR is very much in our benefit. Grab these while you can.94+
Buy the 2016s while they are still available for a glimpse of the future.
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