60ish minute decant, but probably closer to 80 minutes as I continue adding to this review.
For a 25 year old wine, this is drinking beautifully!
Very neutral nose, with seemingly faint minty notes.
Palate: concentrated raisin notes. silky smooth
Finish: thin, smooth, lovely.
Initially wrestled between scoring this as a 92 or 93 because it tasted a little like bitter licorice, almost (I'm having difficulty articulating the exact taste, but it was somewhat analogous to that), but I have to increase my score to 94 as this beauty continues to open.
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Shy nose with cab. sav. features. The palate is a fairly tight package, fruit is not ripe and wide, nothing like recently tasted Robert Craig cab. sav. Mt. Veeder or Etude cab. sav. of the same vintage, instead the expression is focused and firm, dark cassis fruit, graphite, anise, hints of violets, cedar and a bit salty feel. Good fresh acidity and resolved but still present tannins complement the quite harmonious set-up. The finish is long and gum drying. This is very enjoyable and drinking well now, no need to rush though.
Popped and poured and drank over past 2 nites. Surprisingly good level of blackberries, currant, some leather and graphite. Tannins fully resolved, some spice and decent length The wine shows its age but has matured nicely.
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Perfect in every way---balanced palate of cassis, blackberry pie and bordeaux-like cedar notes. Rich and full on the palate and a wonderful wine to go with a prime rib dinner.
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Sad to see this guy go, but considering what else was being opened I figured it would be a formidable opponent. Open the long side a 1991 St Clement and a 2013 second bottling of Palmaz, I figured I would open something that still had a lot of blackberry power yet somewhere a hint of tannin. This one did not disappoint. Cork was withdrawn to an immense amount of tartrate and was decanted secondary to the same in the neck. The nose was blackberry with a hint of cinnamon and ash. It took about 15 minutes to settle down even in the decanter. When it did, there was powerful aged blackberry, hint of cassis, hint of soil. Middle was still mostly dark black fruit rich, a little bit of graphite. Finish still had a little bit of pepper, tannin resolving and barely still there. This was really quite an enjoyable wine. I think it is right at the top of the drinking window at the moment.
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red, orange, in the color. iced lemon tea, cedar, dried fruit, on the nose. blueberry, oak, spice, on the palate. medium acid, high tannins, on the finish.
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Pop and pour. The cork disintegrated almost completely while it was being pulled, and I had to be very careful to avoid getting it in the wine. Camphor and rose petal on the nose; cherry, currant, and light spice on the palate, with a hint of tannin and good acidity. A decent aged Cabernet Sauvignon -- not a blockbuster, but a pleasure to drink.
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Pop and pour. This is beautifully aged Cabernet. Nose of camphor and faded roses; black cherry, menthol, roses, and a faint peppery note on the palate, with decent acidity. A rather short finish and a lack of greater complexity keeps the score down. This is ready to drink -- I can't imagine it getting better from here.
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A very nice refined Napa cab. The color shows very little effect of aging, it's got no bricking on the edges but the overall hue is just a bit orange. The nose is of burnt cedar with a floral side as well a bit of mint or eucalyptus, and sweet cassis. There's also a bit of that cherry or cranberry liqueur smell that shows up when california cab gains some age. Medium bodied in the mouth, not plush or velvety, but shows great concentration as well as terrific acidity. It finishes well, with some tannin still present. This is a lovely wine that tastes like a bordeaux of the mid 90s rather than a Napa cab. If I had more I'd stash it another 3-5 years, I bet it'll be even better.
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good window to drink in....funky...broken cork, but not bled...just disintegrated upon the pull up with rabbit ears cork screw. initial nose of blu cheese...blows off after 10 min in decanter. cherry, blackberries, spice....very french like as the weight is balanced and fruit and tobacco nuances are intertwined.
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Pulled cork and found all the sediment and sugar on cork bottom. Wine itself was deep dark color, still plenty of tannins, and nice rich fruit of dark raspberries, vanilla from the oak. Drank very nicely alongside cabs from Caymus, BV tapestry, and a Cinq Cepages from Ch St Jean. No complaints, plenty of years left.
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Drank 2 bottles 1 day apart. Both bottles were decanted to remove a remarkable amount of sediment and then poured into glass. Dark fruit very apparent. Becoming very integrated with that plum/prunish nose. This wine is hitting its stride. Noticeable decline after 45 minutes of air, with the finish becoming fairly hot. Has the structure to remain pleasant for a couple more years, but drink quickly once poured. As an aside, on second night, taste compared to 1999 Freemark Bosche'. the two were a bit opposite. Bosche improved the longer exposed to air, Phelps didn't.
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Still a solid core of fruit in the midpalate that featured a mature loamy, cedary taste. Tannins have receded. Very tasty overall and should last a few more years. The cork turned to dust when i tried to open the bottle so I drank through a fine layer of cork dust. The strainer didn't help!
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Certainly balanced and some life left, but very green on the open. Air helped a lot, so after more than an hour it was much less noticeable. Interested to see how it is tonight for the remaining half.
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Great rich ruby color with no sign of brick at the edges of the glass. A pale nose with faint violets. Wonderful full-bodied fruit dominated by cassis. Tasted some spice box, tar and pencil lead; had a long smooth finish. The tannins are receding, so this may have only a few more years left. A classic Napa cab by one of the most reliable wineries in the valley.
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Served alongside the 2006, 2004, 2003 and 1996 Insignia, as the estate's "second vin". Medium garnet. Chocolate, coffee, sweet berry fruit, leather and mushrooms. Mid-bodied with ultra-soft tanins, good fruit, balancing acidity and a long finish. Very nice, but further cellaring is NOT recommended.
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Fully enjoyed this bottle after a 1982 L'Evangile -- stood up remarkably well to that classic wine. Still full of chocolate and black fruit flavors, with a nice minerality that helped it compare with the French example. Different, of course, but really almost in the same league quality-wise. Impressive for a "regular" ie not luxury cuvee cabernet.
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Another "patience rewarded" story. Have not had this wine since '06 when I rated it 89 with a note that it was much better than the last bottle. Well this baby has really come into its own. Color is bright garnet with no bricking at all. No decant time, Nose is fruity with dark fruits, dates, figs, licorice, and a hint of spice. Flavor is cherry cherry cherry, tart berry. Very fresh and bright. Well integrated and in balance. IMHO this wine will be good for many more years. I will probably wait a year or two before I drink my last bottle. Sorry to say this should have been the first rather than the next to last bottle. If you have some I would definately start drinking them but do not think there is any hurry. YUM!!!
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Christmas day dinner - at our house with Lisa and the girls and Nancy and Ken and the boys - one of several wines served where we had only 1 or 2 left in the cellar.
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Solid, very solid. Drink up, though, as this baby is ready to go! Tried two bottles of this upon release and really enjoyed. Tried another bottle a couple of years later and it was tight and a bit dumb. This one was completely open for business. Very good, though softer tannins. Drink up, not getting better, but very good now. Wish I had gotten to it a year or two ago.
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Found 4 of these in in the cellar while doing inventory for CT. Fully mature, balanced, may be fading, but still a decent Cali cab. Soft tannins, dark fruit, a hint of licorice.
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Pleasant nose. Surprisingly vivid fruit, considering its age. Tannins almost gone. Medium-light body. Not overtly old, but hasn't developed the complexities i would have expected. Pleasant, but not noteworthy.
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I stashed a bottle of this in 02 and opened a few nights ago. It was just as I recalled. Some dried fruit, leather, but nice, well balanced napa cab. I think it may be a year or two past it's prime
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Agree with March taster..this was vinigar and no bouquet on opening, After grilling the potatoes and enjoying thw saladI put on the Allen Bros strip allowing about an hour for this to open..this cab turned smooth tannin cherry aroma and cherry/currant smooth cal cab...I guess it needs that hour
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With bbq sausage. Nice dark color, good california cabernet nose. On the palet good fruit, smoke. Good finish with fruit staying around. This will not get better (my experience with other vintages as well - generally best 7-8 yrs from vintage. drink now.
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Decanted for 2 hours and really enjoyed with spicy bar-b-que. Dark chocolate cherries on the palate, long finish. Nice, dark, inky color. Seemed to be a good age to open.
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The nose and color would lead you to believe that it is more concentrated than it is. This is a nice aged CA cab that should be consumed in the near term. I think this wine has held more than improved since release. Tannin is largely resolved with cassis, cedar, sage and herbs. Nice wine, not earth shattering.
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13.5% alcohol. decanted. at peak. tannins remain, and some heat on the finish, but the fruit is solid enough to make this cab of classic profile recommended.
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This remains one of the more consistent producers in the sub 50 dollar price range. The 02 is definitely a better wine for me than the 99 but this was still excellent and drinking well. Tannins have mellowed. Lacks the complexity of a great wine. Ready to drink.
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plenty of smooth, nicely tart plum and currant fruit more than a match for the ample residual slightly firm tannins; some chocolate; still vibrant and easily stood up to a bbq steak
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Better than expected based on previous experience. I think it's drinking very well now, and there isn't much reason to hold off at this point (although without food it's still a bit tannic).
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Just ok. Nice nose; typical cali-cab and a hint of bacon fat--hmmm. However in the mouth it came across a bit green with a hollow mid palate, medium finish. This cannot be declining already. A bad night or a bad time in its evolution. Will wait a bit to drink my last bottle.
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Dark color. Nice nose, with dark cherry notes. Silky smoothe on the palate, with nice sweet fruit and a hint of chocolate. Could probably last a while longer, but no reason to wait, doubt this will get better. Highly enjoyable, great match with flank steak.
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Much better than the last bottle that I had about 16 months ago, Decanted about 1/2 hour but needed longer since the wine improved through the evening. Not a lot ont he nose but nice complex bittersweet flavors with strong underlying fruit and pretty well balanced. I think this one will be even better in another year or two.
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I agree completely with anthony's assessment. Ready to drink, but will last for many years. This wine was driven more by bittersweet chocolate than by sweet fruit making it more complex and interesting than most wines in its price range. some boysenberry thrown in with cigar wrapper on the nose.
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1999 joseph phelps napa cab. this wine is ready to go with about 45 minutes air time. that being said i do not think it will be in decline anytime soon. imo this wine probably has at least another 5-7 yrs in it and might improve just a little bit. one thing i found funny was the lack of sediment and i have had it standing up for 3 months now. 92+pts
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if i remember correctly, this has some petite verdot and merlot. 13.5% alcohol, $40. this is a bit stern. perhaps in another vintage, etc., it could be interpreted as tight. however, i just feel the wine is lacking good structure and pedigree. dusty and/or dry on the finish, it's tannins aren't integrating to allow any fruit to shine. i don't feel it's going to get better, so drink up.
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Tasted blind. I thought that my top three wines were a cut above the rest and that is just reaffirmed after seeing the group results. Lots of sweet currants, cassis, smoke and graphite on the nose. The tannins are tight, yet sweet and very chewy displaying tobacco and compact black fruits. This should be rewarding after some moderate to short term cellaring.
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I put this ringer into a blind tasting of '97 Cali cabs to benchmark how a medium-priced Napa cab from the ’99 vintage would hold up in a crowd of ‘97s. Obviously, it was up to the challenge. Numerous 2nd and 3rd place votes. One of the darker wines on the table, this one had a pomegranate and floral bouquet. Chocolate covered strawberries on the palate. Fine-grained tannins that were well-integrated. Very smooth. Ready now, might improve slightly over the next 2 years.
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Consumed at Maitre d' restaurant with steak au poivre. The light was too dim to allow accurate color assessment, but it can be said that the robe was opaque and the rim was violet. Clean nose, showing quite intense chocolate, kirsch, currant and toasted oak aromas. Full-bodied on the palate, with relatively low acidity and ample sweet tannins. Medium, smooth finish.
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1999 California Cabernet and Blends (Chicago- Various Tastings): I actually tried this wine in Hawaii and not at this tasting. Dark Burgundy color. I had them open the bottle a half hour before we drank it and it definitely needed it. In fact, it could have used some decanting and more air time because it was just opening up about the time we were finishing our meal. Nice aromas. A powerful wine with a very dry finish. Good length and depth once it opened. Noted flavors or dark fruit, chocolate and gardenias.
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2/27/2024 - Heinrich Von Blumpkinstein Likes this wine: 94 Points
60ish minute decant, but probably closer to 80 minutes as I continue adding to this review.
For a 25 year old wine, this is drinking beautifully!
Very neutral nose, with seemingly faint minty notes.
Palate: concentrated raisin notes. silky smooth
Finish: thin, smooth, lovely.
Initially wrestled between scoring this as a 92 or 93 because it tasted a little like bitter licorice, almost (I'm having difficulty articulating the exact taste, but it was somewhat analogous to that), but I have to increase my score to 94 as this beauty continues to open.
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2/16/2023 - gharter wrote: flawed
Bitter and flawed. Down the drain. 2 bottles left, hoping they are better.
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2/11/2022 - Lype Likes this wine:
Shy nose with cab. sav. features. The palate is a fairly tight package, fruit is not ripe and wide, nothing like recently tasted Robert Craig cab. sav. Mt. Veeder or Etude cab. sav. of the same vintage, instead the expression is focused and firm, dark cassis fruit, graphite, anise, hints of violets, cedar and a bit salty feel. Good fresh acidity and resolved but still present tannins complement the quite harmonious set-up. The finish is long and gum drying. This is very enjoyable and drinking well now, no need to rush though.
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4/2/2020 - cephomer wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured and drank over past 2 nites. Surprisingly good level of blackberries, currant, some leather and graphite. Tannins fully resolved, some spice and decent length The wine shows its age but has matured nicely.
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12/12/2019 - Burgnick Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still plenty of dark fruit, cassis and violets. Drinking beautifully with smoothness and softened tannins. For a Napa cab, it exhibited elegance.
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2/13/2019 - Gr8penut Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow! This was incredible, even after 20 years! A little weak on the nose, but great on the palate! Unreal-wish I had more!
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1/10/2019 - IlonaN wrote: 95 Points
Perfect in every way---balanced palate of cassis, blackberry pie and bordeaux-like cedar notes. Rich and full on the palate and a wonderful wine to go with a prime rib dinner.
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7/25/2018 - mflesh wrote: 94 Points
Sad to see this guy go, but considering what else was being opened I figured it would be a formidable opponent. Open the long side a 1991 St Clement and a 2013 second bottling of Palmaz, I figured I would open something that still had a lot of blackberry power yet somewhere a hint of tannin. This one did not disappoint. Cork was withdrawn to an immense amount of tartrate and was decanted secondary to the same in the neck. The nose was blackberry with a hint of cinnamon and ash. It took about 15 minutes to settle down even in the decanter. When it did, there was powerful aged blackberry, hint of cassis, hint of soil. Middle was still mostly dark black fruit rich, a little bit of graphite. Finish still had a little bit of pepper, tannin resolving and barely still there. This was really quite an enjoyable wine. I think it is right at the top of the drinking window at the moment.
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8/28/2014 - affordableCollector wrote: 87 Points
red, orange, in the color. iced lemon tea, cedar, dried fruit, on the nose. blueberry, oak, spice, on the palate. medium acid, high tannins, on the finish.
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8/18/2014 - Iceman611 wrote: 90 Points
The fruit is mostly gone but there is a nice dry mix of root beer, earth, and dry leaves.
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1/26/2014 - RichardP wrote: 91 Points
Pop and pour. The cork disintegrated almost completely while it was being pulled, and I had to be very careful to avoid getting it in the wine. Camphor and rose petal on the nose; cherry, currant, and light spice on the palate, with a hint of tannin and good acidity. A decent aged Cabernet Sauvignon -- not a blockbuster, but a pleasure to drink.
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3/12/2013 - RichardP wrote: 91 Points
Pop and pour. This is beautifully aged Cabernet. Nose of camphor and faded roses; black cherry, menthol, roses, and a faint peppery note on the palate, with decent acidity. A rather short finish and a lack of greater complexity keeps the score down. This is ready to drink -- I can't imagine it getting better from here.
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2/9/2013 - grossie wrote: 92 Points
A very nice refined Napa cab. The color shows very little effect of aging, it's got no bricking on the edges but the overall hue is just a bit orange. The nose is of burnt cedar with a floral side as well a bit of mint or eucalyptus, and sweet cassis. There's also a bit of that cherry or cranberry liqueur smell that shows up when california cab gains some age. Medium bodied in the mouth, not plush or velvety, but shows great concentration as well as terrific acidity. It finishes well, with some tannin still present. This is a lovely wine that tastes like a bordeaux of the mid 90s rather than a Napa cab. If I had more I'd stash it another 3-5 years, I bet it'll be even better.
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1/13/2013 - DesMarteau wrote: 92 Points
good window to drink in....funky...broken cork, but not bled...just disintegrated upon the pull up with rabbit ears cork screw. initial nose of blu cheese...blows off after 10 min in decanter. cherry, blackberries, spice....very french like as the weight is balanced and fruit and tobacco nuances are intertwined.
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11/12/2012 - rwatkin wrote: 92 Points
Absolutely gorgeous with gobs of fruit still prominent. Better than the bottle i had last year. I am surprised this wine has lasted so long.
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10/8/2012 - Hsinchu wrote: 92 Points
Fruity, floral taste, long finish. At peak. The smell start to get mushy, got better on the second day.
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8/5/2012 - Hsinchu wrote:
Aged well. Very good color. Good smell. Should lasta fewmore years.
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1/15/2012 - mfriedman12 wrote: 91 Points
Pulled cork and found all the sediment and sugar on cork bottom. Wine itself was deep dark color, still plenty of tannins, and nice rich fruit of dark raspberries, vanilla from the oak. Drank very nicely alongside cabs from Caymus, BV tapestry, and a Cinq Cepages from Ch St Jean. No complaints, plenty of years left.
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11/27/2011 - pete.palladino wrote: 90 Points
Upon opening lots of tobacco and chocolate. Let breathe and opened up to hints of vanilla. Really great.
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10/25/2011 - WildBill2010 wrote: 91 Points
Drank 2 bottles 1 day apart. Both bottles were decanted to remove a remarkable amount of sediment and then poured into glass. Dark fruit very apparent. Becoming very integrated with that plum/prunish nose. This wine is hitting its stride. Noticeable decline after 45 minutes of air, with the finish becoming fairly hot. Has the structure to remain pleasant for a couple more years, but drink quickly once poured. As an aside, on second night, taste compared to 1999 Freemark Bosche'. the two were a bit opposite. Bosche improved the longer exposed to air, Phelps didn't.
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10/9/2011 - rwatkin wrote: 90 Points
Still a solid core of fruit in the midpalate that featured a mature loamy, cedary taste. Tannins have receded.
Very tasty overall and should last a few more years. The cork turned to dust when i tried to open
the bottle so I drank through a fine layer of cork dust. The strainer didn't help!
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7/14/2011 - ctjared wrote:
Excellent after 1 hr of air
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7/3/2011 - ctjared wrote:
Very good indeed. Still very fruity and balanced.
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4/10/2011 - ctjared wrote:
Certainly balanced and some life left, but very green on the open. Air helped a lot, so after more than an hour it was much less noticeable. Interested to see how it is tonight for the remaining half.
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2/2/2011 - OCWino wrote: 93 Points
Great rich ruby color with no sign of brick at the edges of the glass. A pale nose with faint violets. Wonderful full-bodied fruit dominated by cassis. Tasted some spice box, tar and pencil lead; had a long smooth finish. The tannins are receding, so this may have only a few more years left. A classic Napa cab by one of the most reliable wineries in the valley.
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1/8/2011 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 93 Points
My last of these. the wine was delicious. Dark and inky color. Nose and palate alive with layers of fruit and spice. Excellent balance and complexity.
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12/31/2010 - rbjohnson52 wrote: 91 Points
Good, but fading
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12/5/2010 - Baylorwine wrote: 87 Points
Tasty, but fruit was fading big time. Has been professionally cellared, so you may want to drink up.
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10/4/2010 - Yiannis wrote: 90 Points
Served alongside the 2006, 2004, 2003 and 1996 Insignia, as the estate's "second vin". Medium garnet. Chocolate, coffee, sweet berry fruit, leather and mushrooms. Mid-bodied with ultra-soft tanins, good fruit, balancing acidity and a long finish. Very nice, but further cellaring is NOT recommended.
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6/6/2010 - jbakken wrote: 92 Points
Still a great bottle.
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3/30/2010 - AlexHop wrote: 93 Points
Great, still rich and bold. Dark berries and feels pretty dense but still smooth- the tannis have mellowed. The finish isn't the longest.
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3/20/2010 - hfindlay wrote:
Fully enjoyed this bottle after a 1982 L'Evangile -- stood up remarkably well to that classic wine. Still full of chocolate and black fruit flavors, with a nice minerality that helped it compare with the French example. Different, of course, but really almost in the same league quality-wise. Impressive for a "regular" ie not luxury cuvee cabernet.
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1/11/2010 - dsimmons wrote: 93 Points
Another "patience rewarded" story. Have not had this wine since '06 when I rated it 89 with a note that it was much better than the last bottle. Well this baby has really come into its own. Color is bright garnet with no bricking at all. No decant time, Nose is fruity with dark fruits, dates, figs, licorice, and a hint of spice. Flavor is cherry cherry cherry, tart berry. Very fresh and bright. Well integrated and in balance. IMHO this wine will be good for many more years. I will probably wait a year or two before I drink my last bottle. Sorry to say this should have been the first rather than the next to last bottle. If you have some I would definately start drinking them but do not think there is any hurry. YUM!!!
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12/25/2009 - eastover wrote:
Christmas day dinner - at our house with Lisa and the girls and Nancy and Ken and the boys - one of several wines served where we had only 1 or 2 left in the cellar.
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10/23/2009 - blaine wrote: 90 Points
Solid, very solid. Drink up, though, as this baby is ready to go! Tried two bottles of this upon release and really enjoyed. Tried another bottle a couple of years later and it was tight and a bit dumb. This one was completely open for business. Very good, though softer tannins. Drink up, not getting better, but very good now. Wish I had gotten to it a year or two ago.
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10/11/2009 - RR47 wrote: 89 Points
Found 4 of these in in the cellar while doing inventory for CT. Fully mature, balanced, may be fading, but still a decent Cali cab. Soft tannins, dark fruit, a hint of licorice.
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7/31/2009 - Night Train wrote: 88 Points
Pleasant nose. Surprisingly vivid fruit, considering its age. Tannins almost gone. Medium-light body. Not overtly old, but hasn't developed the complexities i would have expected. Pleasant, but not noteworthy.
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7/7/2009 - moudy wrote: 92 Points
I stashed a bottle of this in 02 and opened a few nights ago. It was just as I recalled. Some dried fruit, leather, but nice, well balanced napa cab. I think it may be a year or two past it's prime
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6/26/2009 - ejca wrote:
Really enjoyed this wine, not as much as the 98 but still outstanding. Left a glass for the next day, not as good. I would consider drinking soon.
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5/30/2009 - rcasaw wrote: 92 Points
Agree with March taster..this was vinigar and no bouquet on opening, After grilling the potatoes and enjoying thw saladI put on the Allen Bros strip allowing about an hour for this to open..this cab turned smooth tannin cherry aroma and cherry/currant smooth cal cab...I guess it needs that hour
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3/29/2009 - EricBe wrote: 89 Points
Awful on opening - very harsh, but we gave it the hour or so it seemed to be asking for and it made all the difference; opened right up!
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2/15/2009 - MichielV wrote: 90 Points
With bbq sausage. Nice dark color, good california cabernet nose. On the palet good fruit, smoke. Good finish with fruit staying around. This will not get better (my experience with other vintages as well - generally best 7-8 yrs from vintage. drink now.
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10/5/2008 - twoamps wrote: 91 Points
excellent full bodied nicely layered cabernet with a long chewy finish. Best $35 cab ever.
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7/25/2008 - Baylorwine wrote: 91 Points
Strong Napa showing. Big fruit with moderate finess. Great with grilled tenderloin!
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5/15/2008 - raydawgone wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for 2 hours and really enjoyed with spicy bar-b-que. Dark chocolate cherries on the palate, long finish. Nice, dark, inky color. Seemed to be a good age to open.
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1/25/2008 - ljones wrote: 90 Points
still too young. Good fruit and balance. Secant at least an hour. Unfortunately this one didn't last that long.
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10/17/2007 - fisk15 wrote: 90 Points
The nose and color would lead you to believe that it is more concentrated than it is. This is a nice aged CA cab that should be consumed in the near term. I think this wine has held more than improved since release. Tannin is largely resolved with cassis, cedar, sage and herbs. Nice wine, not earth shattering.
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10/9/2007 - jeff nowak wrote: 90 Points
13.5% alcohol. decanted. at peak. tannins remain, and some heat on the finish, but the fruit is solid enough to make this cab of classic profile recommended.
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1/5/2007 - bberg wrote: 91 Points
Developed nicely- tannins mellowed and fruit is ripe. It is ready to drink.
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12/10/2006 - EyeDoc wrote: 90 Points
This remains one of the more consistent producers in the sub 50 dollar price range. The 02 is definitely a better wine for me than the 99 but this was still excellent and drinking well. Tannins have mellowed. Lacks the complexity of a great wine. Ready to drink.
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9/17/2006 - wabi47 wrote: 90 Points
plenty of smooth, nicely tart plum and currant fruit more than a match for the ample residual slightly firm tannins; some chocolate; still vibrant and easily stood up to a bbq steak
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9/8/2006 - scw wrote: 95 Points
really good. It should keep getting better
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8/27/2006 - scw wrote: 93 Points
very good drank it on the alaska cruise
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7/13/2006 - ml wrote:
Better than expected based on previous experience. I think it's drinking very well now, and there isn't much reason to hold off at this point (although without food it's still a bit tannic).
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7/9/2006 - AzorianMatador wrote: 87 Points
Just ok. Nice nose; typical cali-cab and a hint of bacon fat--hmmm. However in the mouth it came across a bit green with a hollow mid palate, medium finish. This cannot be declining already. A bad night or a bad time in its evolution. Will wait a bit to drink my last bottle.
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6/2/2006 - Ibetian wrote: 91 Points
Dark color. Nice nose, with dark cherry notes. Silky smoothe on the palate, with nice sweet fruit and a hint of chocolate. Could probably last a while longer, but no reason to wait, doubt this will get better. Highly enjoyable, great match with flank steak.
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5/31/2006 - Ibetian wrote: 90 Points
Got raves from Fent on Memorial Day
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4/28/2006 - dsimmons wrote: 89 Points
Much better than the last bottle that I had about 16 months ago, Decanted about 1/2 hour but needed longer since the wine improved through the evening. Not a lot ont he nose but nice complex bittersweet flavors with strong underlying fruit and pretty well balanced. I think this one will be even better in another year or two.
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1/22/2006 - twoamps wrote: 89 Points
not anything overwhelming.
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1/18/2006 - JimmyV wrote: 92 Points
I agree completely with anthony's assessment. Ready to drink, but will last for many years. This wine was driven more by bittersweet chocolate than by sweet fruit making it more complex and interesting than most wines in its price range. some boysenberry thrown in with cigar wrapper on the nose.
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1/16/2005 - anthonyiez wrote: 92 Points
1999 joseph phelps napa cab. this wine is ready to go with about 45 minutes air time. that being said i do not think it will be in decline anytime soon. imo this wine probably has at least another 5-7 yrs in it and might improve just a little bit. one thing i found funny was the lack of sediment and i have had it standing up for 3 months now. 92+pts
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9/4/2004 - brianofthevine wrote: 91 Points
Red/black cherry, subtle earth notes, smooth tannins.
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2/13/2004 - jeff nowak wrote: 86 Points
if i remember correctly, this has some petite verdot and merlot. 13.5% alcohol, $40. this is a bit stern. perhaps in another vintage, etc., it could be interpreted as tight. however, i just feel the wine is lacking good structure and pedigree. dusty and/or dry on the finish, it's tannins aren't integrating to allow any fruit to shine. i don't feel it's going to get better, so drink up.
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10/25/2003 - R2-D2 wrote: 93 Points
Tasted blind. I thought that my top three wines were a cut above the rest and that is just reaffirmed after seeing the group results. Lots of sweet currants, cassis, smoke and graphite on the nose. The tannins are tight, yet sweet and very chewy displaying tobacco and compact black fruits. This should be rewarding after some moderate to short term cellaring.
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10/24/2003 - otisabdul wrote: 91 Points
I put this ringer into a blind tasting of '97 Cali cabs to benchmark how a medium-priced Napa cab from the ’99 vintage would hold up in a crowd of ‘97s. Obviously, it was up to the challenge. Numerous 2nd and 3rd place votes. One of the darker wines on the table, this one had a pomegranate and floral bouquet. Chocolate covered strawberries on the palate. Fine-grained tannins that were well-integrated. Very smooth. Ready now, might improve slightly over the next 2 years.
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8/13/2003 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 90 Points
Consumed at Maitre d' restaurant with steak au poivre. The light was too dim to allow accurate color assessment, but it can be said that the robe was opaque and the rim was violet. Clean nose, showing quite intense chocolate, kirsch, currant and toasted oak aromas. Full-bodied on the palate, with relatively low acidity and ample sweet tannins. Medium, smooth finish.
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4/7/2003 - Vino Me wrote: 91 Points
1999 California Cabernet and Blends (Chicago- Various Tastings): I actually tried this wine in Hawaii and not at this tasting. Dark Burgundy color. I had them open the bottle a half hour before we drank it and it definitely needed it. In fact, it could have used some decanting and more air time because it was just opening up about the time we were finishing our meal. Nice aromas. A powerful wine with a very dry finish. Good length and depth once it opened. Noted flavors or dark fruit, chocolate and gardenias.
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