A superb bottle: cassis, huckleberry and graphite with a hint of mint and dark chocolate. Incredibly youthful. Continues to be IMO one of the best Washington wines ever made.
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It showed no sign of age on opening, with a dark almost black color out to the rim of the glass. First taste was all brambly black fruit, then after 15 minutes there was a distinct chocolate and mint note. That dissipated, and the strong blackberry, cassis, currant, and spice notes were left, with good backbone but well integrated tannins. Second night had the last set of flavors. This was so good, I had a hard time not drinking it all the first night.
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With John and Annabelle at Bar Sajor. Berries, mint and chocolate. Not as good as the last bottle, though not flawed. Just showed a little more mature and therefore less profound.
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The fruit for 1999 Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from Sagemoor and Champoux Vineyards. Crimson in color. 13.9% ABV. Heady aromas of red fruits, tobacco and chocolate. Rich and plush with fine grained tannins. Blackberries, black cherry liqueur, graphite, espresso and licorice on the palate. A touch of heat on the long finish. Drink over the next 1-3 years.
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I don't know where to begin. This was so good I still have dreams about it. This year was as kind to Washington as it was in California. This exhibited all the fantastic classic cab features - cassis, plum, etc. - but also contained nutmeg, raspberry, blueberry, rose petals, and raw sugar-encrusted brandy (a flavor I have only experienced in a specific swiss chocolate bar). To make matters better it was smooth as silk.
This is not a popular or readily available wine, but if you ever have the good fortune to track it down I seriously suggest it. If you don't get it tell me where you found it and I will. Best of luck.
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Among the best mature WA cabernets I've had. Complex aromas of black cherry and huckleberry fruit with cedar cigar box and old growth forest. Those flavors repeat on the palate with some tangy persimmon, dark chocolate and spice cake notes in the long sweet cabernet finish. In peak drinking form and what all Washington cabs should aspire to be.
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Every now and then, you pull a bottle from your cellar with low expectations. I thought this was probably a little over the hill and was prepared for a below average bottle of wine. WOW, was I surprised. This was spectacular. Perfect balance of age, fruit, earthiness with spectacular grace. I went on line and immediately found two bottles and ordered them.
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Excellent. Had an overly strong eucalyptus thing going on opening, but that receded and fruit came forward with a little air. Beautiful mature WA red that seems at peak for me - wish I had more.
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This is peaking/has peaked but still has a nice nose of spicy black raspberry and kirsch followed by a surprisingly light on its feet taste of dry but intense berries that echos into a long finish that satisfies all the right senses. The '99 Artist series I tasted a while ago seemed much fatter than this elegant offering. Good example of E.Washington age ability.
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Drinking well now but has a few years left of life. Started to sing with an hour of air, and really same alive once we threw some tri tips at it. Dark dusty red fruit and blackberries, chocolate, earth, olive, sweet herbs, and tobacco on the nose. Dark ripe cherries on the palate as well as chocolate, olive, earth, smoked meat, and dried herbs. Tannins still very present on the finish. Very enjoyable.
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Decanted, not too much sediment. Really well balanced wine. Color was not showing it's age, but the dustiness on the mouthfeel showed that this was starting to mature. One the nose there was a huge amount of cedar cigar box with an underlying note of black cherry and oak. On the palate there was a strong element of mintiness. Finish didn't last as long as I would have preferred. The wine was so good, I was hoping it would stick around a bit longer. Definitely need to start adding some of the Old Vines to the cellar. Would purchase again.
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Kavana Wine Tasting: Washington Reds (Seattle, WA): This is a bit of an oak milkshake. Big, hot, charred and chocolatey. Despite the considerable stuffing and deeply saturated palate, this is a bit too clumsy and oaky.
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pretty much everything I look for in a New World Cabernet- cassis and crushed red berry fruit, firm but ripe tannins, long finish. Vanilla-y oak is out front but integrated, certainly this wine is ripe but there is enough acidity to keep it lively. Develops aromas of mocha and smoke. Needs time, but a very nice WA cab.
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1/24/2020 - achery Does not like this wine: 75 Points
Past its prime. Actually tasted like a young, light port. Not what I wanted with my steak.
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2/20/2018 - Neecies Likes this wine: 95 Points
A superb bottle: cassis, huckleberry and graphite with a hint of mint and dark chocolate. Incredibly youthful. Continues to be IMO one of the best Washington wines ever made.
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2/3/2018 - Montecalvo wrote: 91 Points
very young still with great color preservation. needs another 5-8 years
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9/2/2017 - ntruder wrote: 93 Points
A fantastically well preserved bottle. Showing very few signs of age and all of the fantastic elements you would expect from a Woody Cabernet.
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1/10/2017 - Neecies wrote:
Good bottles still show well but this was a poor bottle (cork crumbled in the neck).
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10/31/2016 - Jason wrote: 94 Points
Cellared for 14.5 years. Fantastic. Reminds me of lynch bages. Deep, secondary nose. Integrated palate with plenty of structure left.
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9/30/2015 - Easter Everywhere Likes this wine:
good fruit, big, tad too oaky, else great
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11/29/2014 - Bgrahamdc wrote:
past
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11/2/2014 - skifree Likes this wine: 94 Points
It showed no sign of age on opening, with a dark almost black color out to the rim of the glass. First taste was all brambly black fruit, then after 15 minutes there was a distinct chocolate and mint note. That dissipated, and the strong blackberry, cassis, currant, and spice notes were left, with good backbone but well integrated tannins. Second night had the last set of flavors. This was so good, I had a hard time not drinking it all the first night.
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3/4/2014 - Neecies Likes this wine: 92 Points
With John and Annabelle at Bar Sajor. Berries, mint and chocolate. Not as good as the last bottle, though not flawed. Just showed a little more mature and therefore less profound.
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2/23/2014 - tomlee wrote: 91 Points
The fruit for 1999 Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from Sagemoor and Champoux Vineyards. Crimson in color. 13.9% ABV. Heady aromas of red fruits, tobacco and chocolate. Rich and plush with fine grained tannins. Blackberries, black cherry liqueur, graphite, espresso and licorice on the palate. A touch of heat on the long finish. Drink over the next 1-3 years.
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1/15/2014 - Po73 Likes this wine: 94 Points
I don't know where to begin. This was so good I still have dreams about it. This year was as kind to Washington as it was in California. This exhibited all the fantastic classic cab features - cassis, plum, etc. - but also contained nutmeg, raspberry, blueberry, rose petals, and raw sugar-encrusted brandy (a flavor I have only experienced in a specific swiss chocolate bar). To make matters better it was smooth as silk.
This is not a popular or readily available wine, but if you ever have the good fortune to track it down I seriously suggest it. If you don't get it tell me where you found it and I will. Best of luck.
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1/3/2014 - Neecies Likes this wine: 95 Points
Among the best mature WA cabernets I've had. Complex aromas of black cherry and huckleberry fruit with cedar cigar box and old growth forest. Those flavors repeat on the palate with some tangy persimmon, dark chocolate and spice cake notes in the long sweet cabernet finish. In peak drinking form and what all Washington cabs should aspire to be.
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12/14/2013 - jbouchy wrote: 95 Points
Every now and then, you pull a bottle from your cellar with low expectations. I thought this was probably a little over the hill and was prepared for a below average bottle of wine. WOW, was I surprised. This was spectacular. Perfect balance of age, fruit, earthiness with spectacular grace. I went on line and immediately found two bottles and ordered them.
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1/6/2013 - zovizule wrote:
Excellent. Had an overly strong eucalyptus thing going on opening, but that receded and fruit came forward with a little air. Beautiful mature WA red that seems at peak for me - wish I had more.
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6/3/2012 - afs8 wrote:
Beautiful. Thanks Charlie. Bottle had many more years left.
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4/30/2012 - mlawren1 wrote: 89 Points
Lots of mushroom up front gives way to stone fruit and berries. Nice wine but definitely starting to fade.
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4/4/2012 - MoreWinePlease wrote: 92 Points
This is peaking/has peaked but still has a nice nose of spicy black raspberry and kirsch followed by a surprisingly light on its feet taste of dry but intense berries that echos into a long finish that satisfies all the right senses. The '99 Artist series I tasted a while ago seemed much fatter than this elegant offering. Good example of E.Washington age ability.
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10/31/2010 - last chance wrote: 91 Points
Tasted from magnum.
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10/1/2010 - Easter Everywhere wrote: 88 Points
Good, fruit still there, bit firm (acidity)
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5/29/2010 - Vinsant wrote: 92 Points
Drinking well now but has a few years left of life. Started to sing with an hour of air, and really same alive once we threw some tri tips at it. Dark dusty red fruit and blackberries, chocolate, earth, olive, sweet herbs, and tobacco on the nose. Dark ripe cherries on the palate as well as chocolate, olive, earth, smoked meat, and dried herbs. Tannins still very present on the finish. Very enjoyable.
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1/7/2010 - mkparker wrote: 88 Points
Pungent musty nose. Rich, but overly tannic. I think this needs to age a bit more before it is approachable.
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1/1/2010 - Easter Everywhere wrote: 90 Points
Superb! Very firm still, great core of fruit, better w/air, give time to others
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9/5/2009 - calgarywino wrote: 91 Points
Excellent. Drink up now. Decanted for ana hour or so. Great example of a new world cab. Finely integrated tannins and casssis and berry notes.
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11/8/2008 - MagnumGourmet wrote:
Decanted, not too much sediment. Really well balanced wine. Color was not showing it's age, but the dustiness on the mouthfeel showed that this was starting to mature. One the nose there was a huge amount of cedar cigar box with an underlying note of black cherry and oak. On the palate there was a strong element of mintiness. Finish didn't last as long as I would have preferred. The wine was so good, I was hoping it would stick around a bit longer. Definitely need to start adding some of the Old Vines to the cellar. Would purchase again.
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8/1/2007 - Easter Everywhere wrote:
Deep & dense ruby, aromas of blackberry, black cherry, raspberry, sweet fruit, toast, coffee, b4, a3, t4, thick, viscous, very firm & tannic, hot, else nice flavors
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12/26/2006 - Eric wrote: 86 Points
Kavana Wine Tasting: Washington Reds (Seattle, WA): This is a bit of an oak milkshake. Big, hot, charred and chocolatey. Despite the considerable stuffing and deeply saturated palate, this is a bit too clumsy and oaky.
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8/15/2006 - DaleW wrote: 91 Points
pretty much everything I look for in a New World Cabernet- cassis and crushed red berry fruit, firm but ripe tannins, long finish. Vanilla-y oak is out front but integrated, certainly this wine is ripe but there is enough acidity to keep it lively. Develops aromas of mocha and smoke. Needs time, but a very nice WA cab.
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5/22/2006 - chuss wrote: flawed
Both corked!
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