Unfortunately we waited too long. We always enjoy and save our Miner Family wines for special occasions. Obviously we need to lower the bar for what we consider special occasions. Next Tuesday is looking pretty special to me!
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Mature, but not over the hill. Integrated oak, fruit and tannins in beautiful balance. One hour decant - wine stayed very consistent throughout dinner. Lacking only a longer finish, but more than enjoyable with grilled loin lamb chops, garlic mashed potatoes and whole steamed green beans. Ready now - can't imagine it would improve beyond its current state of grace and elegance.
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Started a bit rough, but opened well. Paired nicely with Roast Beast. Notes of leather and tobacco, with some blackberries, ground pepper and goat milk.
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Had 2 bottle for Birthday Dinner showed really well right away and for another hour Blackberries and blueberries, with a light feel on the tongue smooth finish perfect tannins light but plenty of structure left very nice bottle
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Alex's Birthday Party (Yan's China Bistro, Walnut Creek, Ca.): Nose of black berry, black cherry, boysenberry, and floral mums boquet, same on the palate, in this magnum format it showed very well, big body, tasty, mouth filling fruit, slightly pungent, long, medicinal finish.
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drank 2 bottles over 2 evenings both were excellent ready to drink when opened and holding up very well a couple hours after opening big fruit nose slight bricking full fruit on tongue balanced with a smooth finish
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Nose of blackberry, black cherry, and cassis, same on the palate, slightly old, very tasty, medium/big body, if you own, I suggest you drink up, mouth filling fruit, long, flavorful finish.
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Top of the hill right now. I am not going to give another rating, but this one is showing the very hint of age if served pop and pour. This one is best with an hour of air to soften a few harsh lines. Very oaked up wine, even after it opened. Classic Oakville style. Blackberry notes, but blueberry notes are rather apparent as well on this one. Very dense and full bodied wine. Mid-palate is smoke and leather on top of a blackberry core. Finish was firm oak tannin, but I can tell that this one is much softer than the last one I graded. I am not certain that this one has much more longevity. I can see that it would last until 2018, maybe 2019 with perfect cellaring. If you have many of these, it's time to drink up! You've got excellent bottles of wine!
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This is in a very nice spot, beautiful expressive nose of crushed macerated blackberries, a bit of minerality and tar, and soft vanilla and mocha notes. Sweet fruit, cocoa notes that with time fused into a perfectly balanced mineral and earthy wine with fully integrated tannins that left some acidity take stage and integrate beautifully. Long finish.
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Agree with previous review that this is drinking very good right now. Developed some very nice secondary notes of tobacco and leather with smooth tannins and nice long finish. Really enjoyed this wine.
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Nose of cassis, anise, vanilla, blueberry sauce & cinnamon stick. Replays on palate; long 45+ sec finish. Round and balanced. Velvety tannins. Great winemaking and, even before that, fruit selection. Delicious now; structured to last through 2020. Solid 92-pointer.
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Served at our hosted 2012 wine tasting event. The second best bottle chosen by the crowd. The strength of this wine is in its excellent craftsmanship at a price you can afford for an Oakville cab. On the pop was a purple stained cork. Popped at 4 and served around 7:30. Aired without cork - not decanted. On the pour was a dark red very supple wine. In the bottle, things were a bit locked up. On the pour, the characteristic oaked front with a dark blackberry fruit note intermixed was just intoxicating. This wine won the "nose award" of the night. Here were a dozen people with their nose in a glass huffing this wine again and again. On the palate was a very smooth wine. Blackberry, chocolate, cassis. Layered, integrated, with excellent depth. One sip I would get more oak, another sip more blackberry. There was a subtle sweet note that I agree with T.H.A - almost seemed to be a burnt vanilla, almost a subtle note of the crust on the creme brulee? Very subtle. Finish was with some mild black pepper. 30 second finish. Excellent. I will be buying 6 more of these. OK to drink now with a few hours of pop and airing, or 1-2 hours of decanting. I think this one probably has another 5-7 years.
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Drinking spectacularly. Velvety tannins. Perfumed nose of brambleberry and cocoa. Lengthy finish. Bottle was opened for an hour, but not decanted before drinking.
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Incredible nose of dark fruit, tobacco, and warm earth. The gorgeous nose is followed by an equally impressive smooth and balanced dark fruit and a lighter side note of oak taste that gies on and on...each sip is to be savored. Went perfectly with the filet mignon dinner.
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Typical "high-end" Napa Cab. Solid effort, tons of fruit and oak. Nice wine with grilled fillets, not complex, but delicious. Nose of berries, on the palate it is fat, creamy fruit. Solid one dimensional Napa cab.
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First time revisiting this wine since release. I was a big fan of the future potential of this bottling and last night it didn't disappoint. Fans of Miner will be very pleased with this baby. It rivals the 02 for my preferences. Flavors have integrated nicely with plenty of fruit but enough grip to keep everything in check. I've been itching to crack one of these beauties opened and I'm sure glad I did. It paired perfectly with charcoal grilled T-bone and roasted corn. An outstanding effort by the Miner team.
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Fruit bomb. Well made, integrated and balanced but not particularly complex. A little too extracted for my liking though and it just wore out my palate after a couple of glasses.
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This is a Napa bomb. Big berry nose. Big berry flavors. Fresh, pure, and ripe. But also toasty oak with creamy burnt vanilla - perhaps too much. Fans of giant, fat, round, juicy, sweet Napa cabs will love this. No flaws to speak of (no brett, nothing angular, nothing thin). Not particularly complex.
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Pours dark with superb aroma complexities sweeping dark fruit, chocolate, and sage into the air. Full body and luscious at first bite with a touch of velvety tannin picking up the rear. Chunky and chewy with loads of dark fruit, anise, cranberry, ...theres a touch of acidity that burns the throttle a bit. This is a bold fruit bomb style without the confection I see in most wines this style. This would make a great second bottle.
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Had at a Miner tasting - I believe it was the Oakville and not Stagecoach. Nose of somake and berry. Mouth - juicy red fruit,strawberry, long finish. Still tannic.
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The Oakville district of Napa Valley produces some of the best Cabernets in the world. Miner Family Cabernet is no exception. It's wine label, the winged sun god, represent abundance and prosperity. Abundance flavors that is.
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11/28/2020 - Erick Wand wrote:
Unfortunately we waited too long. We always enjoy and save our Miner Family wines for special occasions. Obviously we need to lower the bar for what we consider special occasions. Next Tuesday is looking pretty special to me!
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4/5/2020 - oldcabman Likes this wine: 92 Points
Mature, but not over the hill. Integrated oak, fruit and tannins in beautiful balance. One hour decant - wine stayed very consistent throughout dinner. Lacking only a longer finish, but more than enjoyable with grilled loin lamb chops, garlic mashed potatoes and whole steamed green beans. Ready now - can't imagine it would improve beyond its current state of grace and elegance.
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1/18/2020 - rdthomas54 wrote: 89 Points
Nice pour but its time to drink.
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4/7/2019 - Colpete Likes this wine: 89 Points
Started a bit rough, but opened well. Paired nicely with Roast Beast. Notes of leather and tobacco, with some blackberries, ground pepper and goat milk.
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11/4/2018 - jww Likes this wine:
Had 2 bottle for Birthday Dinner
showed really well right away and for another hour
Blackberries and blueberries, with a light feel on the tongue
smooth finish perfect tannins light but plenty of structure left
very nice bottle
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5/5/2018 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Alex's Birthday Party (Yan's China Bistro, Walnut Creek, Ca.): Nose of black berry, black cherry, boysenberry, and floral mums boquet, same on the palate, in this magnum format it showed very well, big body, tasty, mouth filling fruit, slightly pungent, long, medicinal finish.
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10/1/2017 - jww wrote: 92 Points
drank 2 bottles over 2 evenings both were excellent ready to drink when opened and holding up very well a couple hours after opening
big fruit nose slight bricking full fruit on tongue
balanced with a smooth finish
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12/12/2016 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nose of blackberry, black cherry, and cassis, same on the palate, slightly old, very tasty, medium/big body, if you own, I suggest you drink up, mouth filling fruit, long, flavorful finish.
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3/12/2016 - Jgembis Likes this wine:
Went well with grilled lamb chops
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1/19/2015 - mflesh wrote:
Top of the hill right now. I am not going to give another rating, but this one is showing the very hint of age if served pop and pour. This one is best with an hour of air to soften a few harsh lines. Very oaked up wine, even after it opened. Classic Oakville style. Blackberry notes, but blueberry notes are rather apparent as well on this one. Very dense and full bodied wine. Mid-palate is smoke and leather on top of a blackberry core. Finish was firm oak tannin, but I can tell that this one is much softer than the last one I graded. I am not certain that this one has much more longevity. I can see that it would last until 2018, maybe 2019 with perfect cellaring. If you have many of these, it's time to drink up! You've got excellent bottles of wine!
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1/30/2014 - jww Likes this wine: 90 Points
strong fruit nose typical of a Calif Cab. full bodied with blackberry and casis flavors, mineral finish. i liked it
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11/1/2013 - Merengue Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is in a very nice spot, beautiful expressive nose of crushed macerated blackberries, a bit of minerality and tar, and soft vanilla and mocha notes. Sweet fruit, cocoa notes that with time fused into a perfectly balanced mineral and earthy wine with fully integrated tannins that left some acidity take stage and integrate beautifully. Long finish.
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2/25/2013 - Tracypyo wrote: 93 Points
Agree with previous review that this is drinking very good right now. Developed some very nice secondary notes of tobacco and leather with smooth tannins and nice long finish. Really enjoyed this wine.
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1/5/2013 - mliszt Likes this wine: 95 Points
really doing well right now
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11/23/2012 - dkfinancial wrote: 92 Points
Nose of cassis, anise, vanilla, blueberry sauce & cinnamon stick. Replays on palate; long 45+ sec finish. Round and balanced. Velvety tannins. Great winemaking and, even before that, fruit selection. Delicious now; structured to last through 2020. Solid 92-pointer.
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7/23/2012 - mflesh wrote: 94 Points
Served at our hosted 2012 wine tasting event. The second best bottle chosen by the crowd. The strength of this wine is in its excellent craftsmanship at a price you can afford for an Oakville cab. On the pop was a purple stained cork. Popped at 4 and served around 7:30. Aired without cork - not decanted. On the pour was a dark red very supple wine. In the bottle, things were a bit locked up. On the pour, the characteristic oaked front with a dark blackberry fruit note intermixed was just intoxicating. This wine won the "nose award" of the night. Here were a dozen people with their nose in a glass huffing this wine again and again. On the palate was a very smooth wine. Blackberry, chocolate, cassis. Layered, integrated, with excellent depth. One sip I would get more oak, another sip more blackberry. There was a subtle sweet note that I agree with T.H.A - almost seemed to be a burnt vanilla, almost a subtle note of the crust on the creme brulee? Very subtle. Finish was with some mild black pepper. 30 second finish. Excellent. I will be buying 6 more of these. OK to drink now with a few hours of pop and airing, or 1-2 hours of decanting. I think this one probably has another 5-7 years.
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7/20/2012 - mliszt wrote: 94 Points
still feel the same way. smoooooth
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6/30/2012 - Kevadera wrote: 92 Points
Opened up nicely after an hour + decant.
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6/2/2012 - chefshren wrote: 94 Points
Awesome bottle. Big berry nose, cocoa powder, ripe fruit. Typical Oakville cab.
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10/9/2011 - Alfalfa323 wrote: 95 Points
Drinking spectacularly. Velvety tannins. Perfumed nose of brambleberry and cocoa. Lengthy finish. Bottle was opened for an hour, but not decanted before drinking.
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4/5/2011 - Sundesertcactus wrote: 94 Points
I was really surprised by this bottle, great depth, not one dimensional,huge napa cab. Will definitely buy again.
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4/5/2011 - truthseekder1 wrote: 95 Points
Incredible nose of dark fruit, tobacco, and warm earth. The gorgeous nose is followed by an equally impressive smooth and balanced dark fruit and a lighter side note of oak taste that gies on and on...each sip is to be savored. Went perfectly with the filet mignon dinner.
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4/4/2011 - mliszt wrote: 94 Points
just as good as the last time. i thing this is underrated
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1/3/2011 - NY Wino wrote: flawed
Nose is a bit off-putting with alcohol and a
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6/27/2010 - JHaslam wrote: 90 Points
Typical "high-end" Napa Cab. Solid effort, tons of fruit and oak. Nice wine with grilled fillets, not complex, but delicious. Nose of berries, on the palate it is fat, creamy fruit. Solid one dimensional Napa cab.
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5/15/2010 - snipes Likes this wine:
First time revisiting this wine since release. I was a big fan of the future potential of this bottling and last night it didn't disappoint. Fans of Miner will be very pleased with this baby. It rivals the 02 for my preferences. Flavors have integrated nicely with plenty of fruit but enough grip to keep everything in check. I've been itching to crack one of these beauties opened and I'm sure glad I did. It paired perfectly with charcoal grilled T-bone and roasted corn. An outstanding effort by the Miner team.
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3/22/2010 - Magnum Jim wrote: 89 Points
Fruit bomb. Well made, integrated and balanced but not particularly complex. A little too extracted for my liking though and it just wore out my palate after a couple of glasses.
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10/5/2009 - THA wrote: 88 Points
This is a Napa bomb. Big berry nose. Big berry flavors. Fresh, pure, and ripe. But also toasty oak with creamy burnt vanilla - perhaps too much. Fans of giant, fat, round, juicy, sweet Napa cabs will love this. No flaws to speak of (no brett, nothing angular, nothing thin). Not particularly complex.
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10/3/2009 - mliszt wrote: 94 Points
the fourof us who drank it were very impressed. it was truly outstanding right now
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3/10/2009 - wino_tim wrote: 89 Points
Dusty, with undertones of raspberry and currant fruit - this is round and concentrated on the palate with firm tannins and a bit of alcoholic heat.
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3/2/2009 - GreatLibations wrote: 89 Points
Pours dark with superb aroma complexities sweeping dark fruit, chocolate, and sage into the air. Full body and luscious at first bite with a touch of velvety tannin picking up the rear. Chunky and chewy with loads of dark fruit, anise, cranberry, ...theres a touch of acidity that burns the throttle a bit. This is a bold fruit bomb style without the confection I see in most wines this style. This would make a great second bottle.
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11/8/2008 - soyhead wrote: 89 Points
Had at a Miner tasting - I believe it was the Oakville and not Stagecoach. Nose of somake and berry. Mouth - juicy red fruit,strawberry, long finish. Still tannic.
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3/8/2008 - thegrapes wrote: 90 Points
The Oakville district of Napa Valley produces some of the best Cabernets in the world. Miner Family Cabernet is no exception. It's wine label, the winged sun god, represent abundance and prosperity. Abundance flavors that is.
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