Two bottles opened for Christmas Eve dinner with the family to accompany a Morgan Ranch prime rib roast. Opened about four hours before the meal to decant. After 25 years in the cellar this looks and smells as fresh as a three year old bottle. Dark purple color. A big, rich wine but very balanced blue black fruit flavors, a bit of coffee, well absorbed oak flavors. Finishes very fresh on the fine grained, silky tannins. A real wowzer for a 25 year old bottle. This could go on to drink well for 50 years. Well done Bob Foley. The Morgan Ranch roast was great too. It came well trimmed out. The only addition was a salt, pepper and garlic rub. Roasted low and slow for about three hours. An amazing piece of beef that everyone enjoyed.
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Consistent with my notes from almost 3 years ago. I just never got any real pleasure out of this wine. Fruit may have been there offsetting the tannin and structure, but could never really get to it. Even second night under pump and a couple hours in the glass, this never rose anywhere near my level of expectations.
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Cellared since release, perfect cork and fill. Dark red, orward expansive nose of cassis, dark berries, cedar. Very full-bodied, layered lush ripe fruits, well-integrated oak, tannins and acid keep it in balance, long lush finish. Excellent. Drinking really well now and should continue to do so for another 5-10 years or more.
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Plum color edge to edge. Still young, tannic, and alcoholic. The fruit may outlive the tannin but the alcohol will outlive both. Does seem to be coming around with delicious plummy fruit just peeking out from behind the iron curtain of tannins, and a hot finish. Everything tones down nicely after a couple of hours in the decanter.
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Dark red with no signs of age, the cassis and dark berry nose was slight at first improving over time (probably needed 2-3 hours of air, except we drank it), blackberry, black raspberry, current fruit with anise and tobacco notes, nice balance now, tannins have finally integrated, long smooth finish with no alcohol heat. Very enjoyable with grilled double lamb chops. Purchased from winery upon release.
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nose- beautiful, funky, old world nose with hints of charcoal mouth - lovely admixture of red and dark fruit, great cassis. complex and long . Pride beat out some other real heavyweights tonight IMHO.
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I don't know, this just never got to the levels of enjoyment I would expect from a mid-90 point wine that should be near a plateau. Lots of fruit underneath, but still hidden by heavy tannins, even after second day under pump. Still good drinking, but not sure if this needs more time still or if it will never get to a balanced point.
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Celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary this week. One of many great wines to come in the next few days! This 97 is just as good as our marriage is with 20yrs on it! Still dark with barrel sample youth! Amazing richness yet vibrancy...classic Pride Mtn liqueured berry fruit with creamy mocha chocolate brownies...more dusty now with the age, some dried green tobacco leaves, leather and cassis. Tannins are still firm and grippy dry, but works well with the sweet fruit giving it that graphite powder dryness that I like in my cabs. Dried raspberries and blueberries, exotic oak barrel spice...really nice cherry skin acidity keeps the dancing going fresh and well into the night. SO youthful and fantastic...could crack one of these on our 40th, but alas my last bottle from release. Couldn't ask for more in this wine for our special time! Of course...97pts!
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Much more open compared to a few years ago. Initially tannins and black tea, but this resolves in the glass to show Cabernet fruit, licorice, dark fruits, saturated flavors and good length. A big California Cab. Additional cellar time should improve it. Decanting 30 minutes recommended.
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Drank alongside a 1994 Pontet Canet. Showed a big nose of fruit, menthol and spices. Decanted for 90 mins. and drank over 2 hours. Began as a big burly Cali CS but faded over the evening. Good, not great.
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Still deep in color, with thyme, mushroom and dark berries in the nose. On the palate the wine offers a fat, dense texture and a finish with ripe fruit and oak, which is just a bit drying in the finish.
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My last bottle. Decanted 2 hours and it needed it. Dark purple color with only minimal bricking at the edge. Very aromatic as soon as it was opened, but the tannins were obtrusive. After the decant, the wine really settled down. Aromas of cassis, black berries, cedar, oak and spice. Very full-bodied. Layers of black fruits, oak, spice, anise. Good structure. With time the tannins softened and lead to a long finish. Other notes mentioned a slight alcohol burn. A little was noted when it was opened, but after the decant it disappeared. Drinking really well now but should hold for at least another 5 years. Not sure its going to improve.
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Celebrating Cobb's birthday (Phil's place, Chicago IL): Nose: This was plush and balanced with tones of mint, dark red cherries, cassis, red and black currants, with some licorice as well. There is decent depth to this, but it seems to be lacking a next gear.
Taste: Medium/full bodied with nice supporting tannins and medium acidity. The feel is smooth with balanced tones of mint, dark red cherries, red and black currants, and some licorice.
Overall: This just seemed to lack a next gear. It was well balanced and open, but it didn't seem to really want to show itself.
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Very much agree with earlier comments regarding high alcohol; give it at least 1hr out of the bottle for that to burn off plus lots of sediment. I also picked up chocolate on the nose.
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The wine had a sort of funky, musty nose that took about 3 hours to blow off. We didn't take any formal notes. It paired well with a standing rib roast. We drank this next to a 2007 Paras cab and the group was split on which one which was better. At roughly 4x the cost of that wine, I expected a little more.
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Full bodied. Some bricking at the edge. Thrown a bit of sediment. Primarily ripe tannins, cherries, berries, and alcohol. The spicy tannins and high alcohol make this a bit hot. There is a lot of fruit, which is buried beneath the alcohol. Will more aging bring it out in this 14 year old Cabernet? Probably not, but it certainly could use more time for the tannins to fully resolve, at least eight years. Drink now or drink later, it probably doesn't matter.
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Unbelievable tonight. As good a wine as I have had the pleasure to consume. Beautiful lush fruit, mellow tannins, smooth and full bodied. After 12 years in cellar, this baby is hitting it's stride and feels like it will stay in this state for many years to come. Don't buy too many California wines anymore, but still have a lot to consume and this was special. The reserve wines from Pride seem to be a little too intense for first 10+ years but patience pays off with proper cellaring. This wine would stand up to all of the top wines of its kind.
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Dark purple core, barely any lightening at rim. Forward nose of cassis, dark berries, bit of cedar and oak. Very full-bodied with ripe layered lush dark fruits, well-integrated oak, good tannic backbone, enough acidity and tannins to keep it from being flabby, long lush finish. Next day the tannins are less noticeable but the ripe fruit is still there. Outstanding. Totally ready and should continue to drink beautifully for at least another 5-10 years.
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Just looking at the color you know you are in for a treat. Dark, inky purple and a lushness--you think immediately you are going to chew your way through. the dark berries, rich chocolate and smoke come whafting up......The wine is intense, with a big fruit nose and a concentration that is just mezmorizing. the mid-palate is surprisingly wel intgrated with deep rich tannins...not harsh but they stand up to be counted. The finish is a good 120 seconds, and the pleasure of rolling it around in your mouth lasts much longer. clearly this will just get better.....but I didn't wish I had waited.
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1 hour decant did this wonders. Excellent with long life ahead. One of my top 5 wines of the year so far -- by far the best Napa cab in a long time. 14.1% alc.
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A mountain of black and blue fruit roars from the glass. The dense, rich, concentrated wine fills your mouth with ripe chocolate covered berries. Is the wine any better with 10 of age, probably not. But with a big fat juicy steak, the wine works.
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Nice balance, oak not fully resolved, some red fruit and chocolate. My best descriptor of this wine that its flavors were "average" for a high end but not over the top WOW CA cabernet. I don't mean average in quality, but average in the sense that there was that kind of mixture of flavors that you would expect for a wine of this type and pedigree.
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Wow. Everything good in Napa cab comes out in this bottle. Very dark, rich texture, penetrating nose, long long finish. I dare say this hasn't hit its peak yet. 94 with room for add'l upside: 94-95
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Dinner at Union (Seattle, WA): Huge, grippy, loads of chocolate. I am stunned at the youth of this wine. Do Pride Reserves ever age? This seemed like a barrel sample. Young, powerful and fun, this is barely evolved.
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Wow, this was spectacular! Dinner with Jeff and Patti. My first 97, I decided to open one up to see where they were at. Nose is huge enveloping and just offers up a rich and varied array of dark red fruit, oak elements, spice, some subtle chocolate. There so much going on here and it’s so well integrated. Tannins are so smooth, this wine drinks wonderfully well, from the time you pull the cork until it’s done. Very impressive.
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i've finished all my 97 napa bottles, and this is my first slug of the reserve. high octane mountain cab without being overblown. funny about how when you know what wine you are drinking, you can pick it apart and notice things. i will just say that there seems to be a stamp on this wine. one interesting note: nobody gave this WOTN.
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Celebratory dinner of take-out from PlumpJack (NY strip and duck). Impenetrable deep ruby/purple color -- like ink. Huge, complex nose of black fruits and oak. Rich, complex palate offering various flavors of black cherries, blackberry jam, pencil lead, white pepper, maybe some blueberries and god knows what else. Every sip offered another flavor. Some acidity keeps it focused and tannins yield structure that will age for years to come. Finish was complex, but not as long as I might have expected given everything else going on here. Infanticide may be a crime, but man, it feels so good...
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12/24/2022 - Pinotfanbg Likes this wine: 95 Points
Two bottles opened for Christmas Eve dinner with the family to accompany a Morgan Ranch prime rib roast. Opened about four hours before the meal to decant. After 25 years in the cellar this looks and smells as fresh as a three year old bottle. Dark purple color. A big, rich wine but very balanced blue black fruit flavors, a bit of coffee, well absorbed oak flavors. Finishes very fresh on the fine grained, silky tannins. A real wowzer for a 25 year old bottle. This could go on to drink well for 50 years. Well done Bob Foley. The Morgan Ranch roast was great too. It came well trimmed out. The only addition was a salt, pepper and garlic rub. Roasted low and slow for about three hours. An amazing piece of beef that everyone enjoyed.
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6/9/2021 - levinml wrote: 90 Points
Consistent with my notes from almost 3 years ago. I just never got any real pleasure out of this wine. Fruit may have been there offsetting the tannin and structure, but could never really get to it. Even second night under pump and a couple hours in the glass, this never rose anywhere near my level of expectations.
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5/7/2021 - dbg wrote:
Cellared since release, perfect cork and fill. Dark red, orward expansive nose of cassis, dark berries, cedar. Very full-bodied, layered lush ripe fruits, well-integrated oak, tannins and acid keep it in balance, long lush finish. Excellent. Drinking really well now and should continue to do so for another 5-10 years or more.
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10/31/2020 - Lipsman wrote: 91 Points
Plum color edge to edge. Still young, tannic, and alcoholic. The fruit may outlive the tannin but the alcohol will outlive both. Does seem to be coming around with delicious plummy fruit just peeking out from behind the iron curtain of tannins, and a hot finish. Everything tones down nicely after a couple of hours in the decanter.
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9/30/2020 - Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:
Dark red with no signs of age, the cassis and dark berry nose was slight at first improving over time (probably needed 2-3 hours of air, except we drank it), blackberry, black raspberry, current fruit with anise and tobacco notes, nice balance now, tannins have finally integrated, long smooth finish with no alcohol heat. Very enjoyable with grilled double lamb chops. Purchased from winery upon release.
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5/17/2019 - soyhead wrote:
nose- beautiful, funky, old world nose with hints of charcoal
mouth - lovely admixture of red and dark fruit, great cassis. complex and long . Pride beat out some other real heavyweights tonight IMHO.
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10/14/2018 - levinml wrote: 92 Points
I don't know, this just never got to the levels of enjoyment I would expect from a mid-90 point wine that should be near a plateau. Lots of fruit underneath, but still hidden by heavy tannins, even after second day under pump. Still good drinking, but not sure if this needs more time still or if it will never get to a balanced point.
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9/19/2017 - Mrbuzz Likes this wine: 97 Points
Celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary this week. One of many great wines to come in the next few days! This 97 is just as good as our marriage is with 20yrs on it! Still dark with barrel sample youth! Amazing richness yet vibrancy...classic Pride Mtn liqueured berry fruit with creamy mocha chocolate brownies...more dusty now with the age, some dried green tobacco leaves, leather and cassis. Tannins are still firm and grippy dry, but works well with the sweet fruit giving it that graphite powder dryness that I like in my cabs. Dried raspberries and blueberries, exotic oak barrel spice...really nice cherry skin acidity keeps the dancing going fresh and well into the night. SO youthful and fantastic...could crack one of these on our 40th, but alas my last bottle from release. Couldn't ask for more in this wine for our special time! Of course...97pts!
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8/27/2017 - drp57 wrote:
Used for NB Yardeni Dinner in 2017
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6/20/2017 - Lipsman wrote: 94 Points
Much more open compared to a few years ago. Initially tannins and black tea, but this resolves in the glass to show Cabernet fruit, licorice, dark fruits, saturated flavors and good length. A big California Cab. Additional cellar time should improve it. Decanting 30 minutes recommended.
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12/25/2016 - SMagowan Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drank alongside a 1994 Pontet Canet. Showed a big nose of fruit, menthol and spices. Decanted for 90 mins. and drank over 2 hours. Began as a big burly Cali CS but faded over the evening. Good, not great.
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9/23/2015 - Jeff Leve wrote: 93 Points
Still deep in color, with thyme, mushroom and dark berries in the nose. On the palate the wine offers a fat, dense texture and a finish with ripe fruit and oak, which is just a bit drying in the finish.
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4/23/2015 - djs wrote:
Past prime
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8/7/2014 - gharter Likes this wine: 94 Points
My last bottle. Decanted 2 hours and it needed it.
Dark purple color with only minimal bricking at the edge. Very aromatic as soon as it was opened, but the tannins were obtrusive. After the decant, the wine really settled down. Aromas of cassis, black berries, cedar, oak and spice. Very full-bodied. Layers of black fruits, oak, spice, anise. Good structure. With time the tannins softened and lead to a long finish. Other notes mentioned a slight alcohol burn. A little was noted when it was opened, but after the decant it disappeared. Drinking really well now but should hold for at least another 5 years. Not sure its going to improve.
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7/27/2013 - Nuromri Likes this wine: 95 Points
Impressive
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6/15/2013 - Nuromri wrote: flawed
Corked
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4/20/2013 - KeithAkers wrote: 90 Points
Celebrating Cobb's birthday (Phil's place, Chicago IL): Nose: This was plush and balanced with tones of mint, dark red cherries, cassis, red and black currants, with some licorice as well. There is decent depth to this, but it seems to be lacking a next gear.
Taste: Medium/full bodied with nice supporting tannins and medium acidity. The feel is smooth with balanced tones of mint, dark red cherries, red and black currants, and some licorice.
Overall: This just seemed to lack a next gear. It was well balanced and open, but it didn't seem to really want to show itself.
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4/13/2013 - bmartz1 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Very much agree with earlier comments regarding high alcohol; give it at least 1hr out of the bottle for that to burn off plus lots of sediment. I also picked up chocolate on the nose.
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1/24/2013 - JOsgood wrote:
This was nice. It tasted much older than a 97 to me. Medium in weight with nice cedar notes on the mid.
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12/26/2012 - jljones wrote: 92 Points
The wine had a sort of funky, musty nose that took about 3 hours to blow off. We didn't take any formal notes. It paired well with a standing rib roast. We drank this next to a 2007 Paras cab and the group was split on which one which was better. At roughly 4x the cost of that wine, I expected a little more.
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3/29/2012 - EMichels wrote: 93 Points
Great nose - a little bit of raison; Great structure
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9/27/2011 - Lipsman wrote: 89 Points
Full bodied. Some bricking at the edge. Thrown a bit of sediment. Primarily ripe tannins, cherries, berries, and alcohol. The spicy tannins and high alcohol make this a bit hot. There is a lot of fruit, which is buried beneath the alcohol. Will more aging bring it out in this 14 year old Cabernet? Probably not, but it certainly could use more time for the tannins to fully resolve, at least eight years. Drink now or drink later, it probably doesn't matter.
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7/9/2011 - shk5157 wrote: 95 Points
drinking beautifully, balanced, lush berry fruit, long finish
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7/22/2010 - tbone wrote:
Unbelievable tonight. As good a wine as I have had the pleasure to consume. Beautiful lush fruit, mellow tannins, smooth and full bodied. After 12 years in cellar, this baby is hitting it's stride and feels like it will stay in this state for many years to come. Don't buy too many California wines anymore, but still have a lot to consume and this was special.
The reserve wines from Pride seem to be a little too intense for first 10+ years but patience pays off with proper cellaring. This wine would stand up to all of the top wines of its kind.
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7/8/2010 - dbg wrote:
Dark purple core, barely any lightening at rim. Forward nose of cassis, dark berries, bit of cedar and oak. Very full-bodied with ripe layered lush dark fruits, well-integrated oak, good tannic backbone, enough acidity and tannins to keep it from being flabby, long lush finish. Next day the tannins are less noticeable but the ripe fruit is still there. Outstanding. Totally ready and should continue to drink beautifully for at least another 5-10 years.
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10/4/2008 - huntly wrote: 96 Points
consistent with previous tastings....just outstanding!
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9/13/2008 - huntly wrote: 96 Points
Just looking at the color you know you are in for a treat. Dark, inky purple and a lushness--you think immediately you are going to chew your way through. the dark berries, rich chocolate and smoke come whafting up......The wine is intense, with a big fruit nose and a concentration that is just mezmorizing. the mid-palate is surprisingly wel intgrated with deep rich tannins...not harsh but they stand up to be counted. The finish is a good 120 seconds, and the pleasure of rolling it around in your mouth lasts much longer.
clearly this will just get better.....but I didn't wish I had waited.
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8/8/2008 - cck wrote: 94 Points
1 hour decant did this wonders. Excellent with long life ahead. One of my top 5 wines of the year so far -- by far the best Napa cab in a long time. 14.1% alc.
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10/25/2007 - Jeff Leve wrote: 95 Points
A mountain of black and blue fruit roars from the glass. The dense, rich, concentrated wine fills your mouth with ripe chocolate covered berries. Is the wine any better with 10 of age, probably not. But with a big fat juicy steak, the wine works.
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6/16/2007 - Frank Murray III wrote:
The Wines OF Roberty Foley--The OC Strikes Again (Antanello's In Costa Mesa (Orange County)): Seems to be a bit more restrained, as compared to the 1997 Claret. Black cherry, licorice, bittersweet chocolate, red fruited finish with even and nice balance. Nice stuff but IMO not to the level of the Claret.
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4/21/2007 - Jay Hack wrote: 90 Points
Nice balance, oak not fully resolved, some red fruit and chocolate. My best descriptor of this wine that its flavors were "average" for a high end but not over the top WOW CA cabernet. I don't mean average in quality, but average in the sense that there was that kind of mixture of flavors that you would expect for a wine of this type and pedigree.
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11/3/2006 - cck wrote: 94 Points
Wow. Everything good in Napa cab comes out in this bottle. Very dark, rich texture, penetrating nose, long long finish. I dare say this hasn't hit its peak yet. 94 with room for add'l upside: 94-95
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4/6/2006 - Eric wrote: 93 Points
Dinner at Union (Seattle, WA): Huge, grippy, loads of chocolate. I am stunned at the youth of this wine. Do Pride Reserves ever age? This seemed like a barrel sample. Young, powerful and fun, this is barely evolved.
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1/15/2006 - Mark wrote: 95 Points
Wow, this was spectacular! Dinner with Jeff and Patti. My first 97, I decided to open one up to see where they were at. Nose is huge enveloping and just offers up a rich and varied array of dark red fruit, oak elements, spice, some subtle chocolate. There so much going on here and it’s so well integrated. Tannins are so smooth, this wine drinks wonderfully well, from the time you pull the cork until it’s done. Very impressive.
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1/13/2006 - hcampana wrote: 94 Points
Tasting for Newbies in Gusbo's honor ('97 Pride Reserve Cab, '02 Pride Cab Franc, '01 Karl Lawrence Cab, '01 Numanthia, '01 Henry's Drive Reserve, '93 Disznoco Eszencia, '99 Delesvaux SGN, etc.) (Monterrey, Mexico): Decanted for half an hour. Very dark ruby with a gorgeous nose of black berries, smoke and vanilla milkshake. The fruit concentration on this wine is amazing. It is not flamboyant by any menas, but boy, does it have a lot of flavor. Tannins are ripe and the finish is long. Despite its size, this wine is balanced. This is a great wine that requires additional cellaring to open up more.
Gusbo commented he likes it more than the 1997 Harlan (which I've never tasted).
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10/2/2004 - jeff nowak wrote:
i've finished all my 97 napa bottles, and this is my first slug of the reserve. high octane mountain cab without being overblown. funny about how when you know what wine you are drinking, you can pick it apart and notice things. i will just say that there seems to be a stamp on this wine. one interesting note: nobody gave this WOTN.
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5/19/2004 - KevinS wrote: 96 Points
Celebratory dinner of take-out from PlumpJack (NY strip and duck). Impenetrable deep ruby/purple color -- like ink. Huge, complex nose of black fruits and oak. Rich, complex palate offering various flavors of black cherries, blackberry jam, pencil lead, white pepper, maybe some blueberries and god knows what else. Every sip offered another flavor. Some acidity keeps it focused and tannins yield structure that will age for years to come. Finish was complex, but not as long as I might have expected given everything else going on here. Infanticide may be a crime, but man, it feels so good...
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