1 hr decant served around 60 degrees F. Dark opaque purple. Sweet non descript fruit and crushed rock on the nose. Palate has red and dark fruit flavors- some cherry, blackberry, cassis. Some earthy and umami elements too. Med-high tannin, med-high alcohol, med-high acid. Great balance. Intensity and fruit purity is there. Feels like a mountain fruit profile made in a BDX style. Finish is long. Classy and well done. Nose is a little lacking but palate is stellar.
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Quite rustic. Tannins are quite softened, vegetal. Really reminds me of cab franc. A tad hot but otherwise we’ll balanced. Seems shut down based on prior notes of being fruit forward. Definitely is not at this time. Would be a great food wine.
2nd wine on the menu tonight.....more high toned/red fruited. Thinner in the mouth than the '14 Hartwell. Carol says a tad tart....but this changes over 1-2 hours time. The fruit darkens and deepens a tad as well. Nice wine, still needs to integrate a bit more with the wood. A screaming deal in Napa wine.
Big tart red fruit nose on a coravin pour. Dark ruby/garnet in the glass. Needs at least an hour to show well as it puts on weight and density with air. There is great weight in the mouth and very good texture, a silky presence, gentle spice and plenty of oak. As with most Stagecoach cabs, there is ample tannic structure and wonderful acidity given the diurnal temps up there from day to night. This will probably get another point or two better down the road. There is strong red cherry fruit and bright acidity throughout. This has a lot of energy and most assuredly will benefit from a few more years in bottle to let the tannic structure calm down and smooth out. I am a big fan of Stagecoach vineyard and this is very nice now but will be quite good going forward. Stock up and give these 2-3 years to start hitting their stride. Great QPR btw, too!
I did not have time to give this the proper decant or the attention during tasting that it deserves. Even so, really enjoyable, big wine, dark in color, lots of ripe fruit, big tannins. This needs a few more years to get to its potential, but if big, young and fruity is your thing, it is great now. And a fantastic QPR.
7/1/2023 - BaroloBucky Likes this wine: 93 Points
1 hr decant served around 60 degrees F. Dark opaque purple. Sweet non descript fruit and crushed rock on the nose. Palate has red and dark fruit flavors- some cherry, blackberry, cassis. Some earthy and umami elements too. Med-high tannin, med-high alcohol, med-high acid. Great balance. Intensity and fruit purity is there. Feels like a mountain fruit profile made in a BDX style. Finish is long. Classy and well done. Nose is a little lacking but palate is stellar.
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4/22/2023 - Discobiscuits42 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Quite rustic. Tannins are quite softened, vegetal. Really reminds me of cab franc. A tad hot but otherwise we’ll balanced. Seems shut down based on prior notes of being fruit forward. Definitely is not at this time. Would be a great food wine.
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12/11/2021 - ledocq Likes this wine:
Yay! Really approachable immediately - sweet tannins and good length.
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10/7/2021 - Mark1npt Likes this wine: 93 Points
2nd wine on the menu tonight.....more high toned/red fruited. Thinner in the mouth than the '14 Hartwell. Carol says a tad tart....but this changes over 1-2 hours time. The fruit darkens and deepens a tad as well. Nice wine, still needs to integrate a bit more with the wood. A screaming deal in Napa wine.
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11/26/2019 - Mark1npt Likes this wine: 93 Points
Big tart red fruit nose on a coravin pour. Dark ruby/garnet in the glass. Needs at least an hour to show well as it puts on weight and density with air. There is great weight in the mouth and very good texture, a silky presence, gentle spice and plenty of oak. As with most Stagecoach cabs, there is ample tannic structure and wonderful acidity given the diurnal temps up there from day to night. This will probably get another point or two better down the road. There is strong red cherry fruit and bright acidity throughout. This has a lot of energy and most assuredly will benefit from a few more years in bottle to let the tannic structure calm down and smooth out. I am a big fan of Stagecoach vineyard and this is very nice now but will be quite good going forward. Stock up and give these 2-3 years to start hitting their stride. Great QPR btw, too!
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10/12/2019 - Decanting Queen Likes this wine: 92 Points
I did not have time to give this the proper decant or the attention during tasting that it deserves. Even so, really enjoyable, big wine, dark in color, lots of ripe fruit, big tannins. This needs a few more years to get to its potential, but if big, young and fruity is your thing, it is great now. And a fantastic QPR.
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