Exceeded my expectations, completely out of the ball park. Decanted and started drinking immediately. Beautiful evolution! Started with American oak, dry cherry eucalyptus, then became softer with hints of chocolate and licorice. Leathery tobacco finish. Fantastic with steak on the barbie. Ok with chocolate but the two compete rather than augment one another. Sincerely wish I had more.
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patience rewarded...JL/WS was too cavalier in describing this in 2008 as "88 - clunky - best between 2010-2016"
consistent with my 2013 notes but getting better - surprisingly vibrant youth wafting from glass but fruit now seamlessly resolved after 12 years - this is a straight up gem that has me smiling we stumbled upon Barnett's steep slopes and great view from atop Spring Mountain - dare i say this has at least 3-5+ years left - coveting my last 2 bottles to share with those who can truly appreciate greatness a bit off the grid
drink within 3 hours of decant or PNP
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Full of life and accessible upon opening. Got only better over the two hours of decanting. A ton of well-integrated cedar and eucalyptus notes on the nose and on the palate. The mountain fruit shows with (still) plenty of acidity. Rich and fairly ripe, but much joy for the style.
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Last Minute Friday WTDS (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Very dark red/purple color. Splash double decanted. Drank 2 glasses over 2 hours. I loved this, it has such a pretty mountain fruit profile, bright cassis, boysenberry, blueberry, black raspberry, brambly, mint, integrated wood, spice. The palate is just wonderfully pure, classic mountain cab, cassis, black raspberry, boysenberry, full bodied but not heavy, silky tannins, long finish. In a great spot, but no rush. My #3 WOTN.
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Completely agree with Bubba Dawg's tasting notes from 7/24/13. We drank after an hour decanting, then over 2-3 three hours. I would add that this wine probably isn't going to see any more evolution, but it will probably stay strong for at least 3-5 more years. It has all the bones it needs. We barrel tasted this wine at Barnett, and it is so cool to see how a wine changes. Classic Spring Mountain. Plus, Rattlesnake is undeniably better that just the standard estate bottling. Nice. Glad that I have three more bottles.
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pnp...violet and and opaque with no real discernible fall off at the rim...deep dark ripe black fruits and chocolate on the nose with undercurrent of licorice, wet stone and fresh herbs...much more expressive nose than prior tastings...deliciously wet and fleshy black cherries and plums on the palate with vibrant spice and deft balance of acidity and tannins...medium finish is about the only real criticism i have...however, this is by far the best bottle of the case and leads me to believe this has another 5-10 years of life...WOW what a pleasant surprise, thankfully I have 4 bottles left...although clearly new world in style and a bit fruit forward, the depth and richness are alluring...drinking beautifully right now...try to find if you have not had the pleasure
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375ml bottle - Tannins have softened, but this is still a big wine that has several great years ahead. Deep purple color, dark fruit, velvety smooth, long finish.
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What a difference from 2 years ago. The rusticity of this wine has given way to a more elegant package, more sauvage than rustic. Full bodied with soft tannins, this is the kind of mountain Cabernet that distinguishes Napa from all its domestic peers. Not complex, but the exotic berry fruit keeps it interesting. Now that it has hit its stride, drink up within the next 2-3 years. An idiosyncratic beauty and Napa original
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inky and opaque, intense jammy nose with subtle dusty and stony tones, succulent ripe black fruits dominate palate with beautifully integrated tannins that open over time, this is a big chewy napa cab to close the night with...give it 60+mins in decanter but enjoy the wonderfully intense aromas right away
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Opened and sat in the bottle for 30 minutes. Paired with a ribeye for myself and a lamb chop for my wife plus grilled veggies. We really enjoyed this wine. The nose was closed but opened more as the night went on to reveal dark fruit. We sipped the wine through dinner and into the night, the tannins are there but not pronounced and the oak is just enough.
A great wine, just give it time to open up!
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Solid, but not complex. Lots of fruit, tannins have calmed down since barrel tasting in 2006. Still seems fairly young. Do not drink last bottle until 2015 at least, needs more time.
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Cocoa and hint of cigar on the initial nose. Balanced tannins. Drank with a sous vide Bavette of beef with roasted onion and roasted potatoes. Complemented the beef well.
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Herbs and dried currants on the nose. Heavy on leather and minerality, with spices and cassiss in the finish. Powerful, and true to the Spring Mtn. appellation, but not extraordinary.
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Nose with initially some pine needles, mineral, and then opened up into an aroma of wildberry/boysenberry. Palate also with similar fruit and smooth. Found it to be a bit thin and simple however with a somewhat short finish. Seemed like potential was there but was a bit of a disappointment in the end.
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6/11/2023 - Windacre in the Slope Likes this wine: 93 Points
Eucalyptus nose, big and tight.
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3/28/2020 - kennyd Likes this wine: 93 Points
Pretty amazing for a 15 year-old Napa mountain cab.
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1/31/2020 - SUBAR Likes this wine: 96 Points
Exceeded my expectations, completely out of the ball park. Decanted and started drinking immediately. Beautiful evolution! Started with American oak, dry cherry eucalyptus, then became softer with hints of chocolate and licorice. Leathery tobacco finish. Fantastic with steak on the barbie. Ok with chocolate but the two compete rather than augment one another. Sincerely wish I had more.
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8/18/2017 - heidoanddave wrote: 96 Points
Outstanding.
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1/28/2017 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine: 93 Points
patience rewarded...JL/WS was too cavalier in describing this in 2008 as "88 - clunky - best between 2010-2016"
consistent with my 2013 notes but getting better - surprisingly vibrant youth wafting from glass but fruit now seamlessly resolved after 12 years - this is a straight up gem that has me smiling we stumbled upon Barnett's steep slopes and great view from atop Spring Mountain - dare i say this has at least 3-5+ years left - coveting my last 2 bottles to share with those who can truly appreciate greatness a bit off the grid
drink within 3 hours of decant or PNP
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1/14/2017 - Slaz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Full of life and accessible upon opening. Got only better over the two hours of decanting. A ton of well-integrated cedar and eucalyptus notes on the nose and on the palate. The mountain fruit shows with (still) plenty of acidity. Rich and fairly ripe, but much joy for the style.
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8/18/2016 - Slaz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Notes got misplaced. Do remember though the overall positive impression and the fact that this drinks well now and has more years under the belt.
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6/4/2016 - galewskj wrote: 94 Points
Friday evening "Bring what you want" (Kevin and Vicki's house): Silky fruit and tannins. Almost buttery, a lot of glycerin, floral, slight mint, brambly, spice on he finish. The frui is very blue, tobacco, cedar. This is a rockstar wine.
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6/3/2016 - rocknroller wrote: 94 Points
Last Minute Friday WTDS (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Very dark red/purple color. Splash double decanted. Drank 2 glasses over 2 hours. I loved this, it has such a pretty mountain fruit profile, bright cassis, boysenberry, blueberry, black raspberry, brambly, mint, integrated wood, spice. The palate is just wonderfully pure, classic mountain cab, cassis, black raspberry, boysenberry, full bodied but not heavy, silky tannins, long finish. In a great spot, but no rush. My #3 WOTN.
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5/8/2015 - kennyd wrote: 94 Points
A perfectly aged, mountain cabernet. Enough said!
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2/16/2014 - prufrocksabogado Likes this wine: 91 Points
very nice but not extraordinary cabernet.
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12/31/2013 - kennyd Likes this wine: 92 Points
Completely agree with Bubba Dawg's tasting notes from 7/24/13. We drank after an hour decanting, then over 2-3 three hours. I would add that this wine probably isn't going to see any more evolution, but it will probably stay strong for at least 3-5 more years. It has all the bones it needs. We barrel tasted this wine at Barnett, and it is so cool to see how a wine changes. Classic Spring Mountain. Plus, Rattlesnake is undeniably better that just the standard estate bottling. Nice. Glad that I have three more bottles.
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7/24/2013 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine: 92 Points
pnp...violet and and opaque with no real discernible fall off at the rim...deep dark ripe black fruits and chocolate on the nose with undercurrent of licorice, wet stone and fresh herbs...much more expressive nose than prior tastings...deliciously wet and fleshy black cherries and plums on the palate with vibrant spice and deft balance of acidity and tannins...medium finish is about the only real criticism i have...however, this is by far the best bottle of the case and leads me to believe this has another 5-10 years of life...WOW what a pleasant surprise, thankfully I have 4 bottles left...although clearly new world in style and a bit fruit forward, the depth and richness are alluring...drinking beautifully right now...try to find if you have not had the pleasure
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7/14/2013 - VinoTx wrote: 93 Points
375ml bottle - Tannins have softened, but this is still a big wine that has several great years ahead. Deep purple color, dark fruit, velvety smooth, long finish.
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6/30/2013 - Henry Miller Likes this wine: 93 Points
What a difference from 2 years ago. The rusticity of this wine has given way to a more elegant package, more sauvage than rustic. Full bodied with soft tannins, this is the kind of mountain Cabernet that distinguishes Napa from all its domestic peers. Not complex, but the exotic berry fruit keeps it interesting. Now that it has hit its stride, drink up within the next 2-3 years. An idiosyncratic beauty and Napa original
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4/30/2013 - BUBBA DAWG Likes this wine: 90 Points
inky and opaque, intense jammy nose with subtle dusty and stony tones, succulent ripe black fruits dominate palate with beautifully integrated tannins that open over time, this is a big chewy napa cab to close the night with...give it 60+mins in decanter but enjoy the wonderfully intense aromas right away
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2/16/2013 - Grappa Cellar wrote: 92 Points
Terroir
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12/27/2012 - awineo Likes this wine: 92 Points
A big hillside cab. Solid fruit and tannins. A little pricey.
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4/29/2012 - John4 wrote: 92 Points
Opened and sat in the bottle for 30 minutes. Paired with a ribeye for myself and a lamb chop for my wife plus grilled veggies. We really enjoyed this wine. The nose was closed but opened more as the night went on to reveal dark fruit. We sipped the wine through dinner and into the night, the tannins are there but not pronounced and the oak is just enough.
A great wine, just give it time to open up!
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12/25/2011 - Paigeverde wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 30-45 min. Very well integrated, and drinking wonderfully right now.
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9/27/2011 - Neil H wrote: 93 Points
Drinking quite well right now. Would suggests opening a bottle if you have one in the cellar.
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8/8/2011 - jpecht wrote: 89 Points
Solid, but not complex. Lots of fruit, tannins have calmed down since barrel tasting in 2006. Still seems fairly young. Do not drink last bottle until 2015 at least, needs more time.
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6/17/2011 - drbdorfman wrote: 93 Points
Cocoa and hint of cigar on the initial nose. Balanced tannins. Drank with a sous vide Bavette of beef with roasted onion and roasted potatoes. Complemented the beef well.
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1/23/2010 - jforro wrote: 92 Points
opened up nicely with decanting, and would benefit from some additional aging. Tannins are still a bit tight and has a nice long finish.
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11/8/2009 - snaff wrote: 90 Points
Herbs and dried currants on the nose. Heavy on leather and minerality, with spices and cassiss in the finish. Powerful, and true to the Spring Mtn. appellation, but not extraordinary.
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4/9/2009 - J-Sho wrote: 88 Points
Nose with initially some pine needles, mineral, and then opened up into an aroma of wildberry/boysenberry. Palate also with similar fruit and smooth. Found it to be a bit thin and simple however with a somewhat short finish. Seemed like potential was there but was a bit of a disappointment in the end.
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1/14/2008 - winegr wrote: 93 Points
Excellent stuff. Lots of sweet fruit, but some interesting flavors on the mid-palate and finish balance it out very well. 93-94(potential).
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