Tonight's tasting was consistent with earlier tasting notes of this label dating back to September, 2009, and August, 2010.
Dark inky garnet colored, medium full bodied, concentrated complex core of black raspberry and black currant fruits accented by a layer of sweet mocha chocolate turning to tones of clove and hints of vanilla and spicy oak, turning to smooth fine tannins on the lingering finish.
Quite pretty. Dark sweet plummy black cherry aromas with black spice. Dark dry firm spiced black fruits. A touch hard with a bitter chocolate edge. Still dominated by structure in a chunky way. Fruit gets a bit lost by the firm texture.
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This wine is drinking amazing now. It has been properly cellared decanted for 3 hours and still had oomph to it! This wine still has room to age. Full mouth with tannins beautiful fruit and balanced. We tried an ‘03 Caymus next to it and the ‘03 is past it’s prime and everyone loved the Robert Craig.
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Still big and powerful; pretty classic Howell Mountain stuff with 11 years on it. Its nicely integrated now and opened without much coaxing. The tannins have assimilated and provide a nice structure but the fruit is releasing. Dark with black fruit, some spice and a nice hint of vanilla. Lots left in this one.
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Outstanding offering from one of our favorite wineries in an otherwise OK vintage. Deep garnet in the glass. Caramel, blackberry and damp earth on the nose. Coffee, dark cherry and bit of Howell Mtn. bramble and pepper on th palate. Very strong entry against an '89 Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace and a 1997 B.R. Cohn Olive Hill in celebration of Matt's (1989) birthday.
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Decanted for about 1.5 hours. Drinking very well. Nice nose, and still had some tannins on the backend. Not sure I think this will get better, but I think it was drinking quite well now. Last bottle I had about 1.5 years ago and it was drinking about as good. Drink now or possibly hold a few more years - not much more though IMO. My last bottle of this vintage unfortunately.
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Agree with Mallards. Past its prime. Nice nose and front palate fruit but went nowhere after that. Contrary to most others, my best experience with Craig's wines are within 1-3 years of release with a short decant.
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- Garnet color with medium forming legs and aromas of black currant. It's balanced and has flavours of blackberry, black currant, black pepper and cloves with a full body. Polished texture with a long finish - Another terrific effort from Craig. Full of blackberry, plum and fresh dark fruit on the front. Clove, and a touch of pepper on the mid-palate and a long silky finish with just a bit of astringency at the end. Served with a family dinner go grilled NY strips, twice baked potato and caesar salad. We had just returned from a Craig Cabernet Club tasting at Naha Restaurant in Chicago hosted by Bob Craig and Rachel Miller.
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Deep garnet color. Full of dark fruit, blackberry, plum and black cherry. Evidences the spiciness expected with Howell Mountain fruit. Well balanced tannins. Drinking well now with probably 5 years left at peak.
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Past its prime. Decent flavors in the mouth, but very, very hollow in the finish. RC is one of my favorites, but this was probably "too old" to be fully appreciated.
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This was a solid wine. My first RC with a few years of age on it and it was drinking pretty good. Opened and let breathe for about three hours before we started drinking. It was still solid after being opened up for 9 hours.
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This was tightly wound coming out of the gate and never really had a chance to unwind. Classic blackberry and bing cherries with hints of the mountain. Need to give this one another shot in the near future.
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5/25/2023 - rmcnees Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tonight's tasting was consistent with earlier tasting notes of this label dating back to September, 2009, and August, 2010.
Dark inky garnet colored, medium full bodied, concentrated complex core of black raspberry and black currant fruits accented by a layer of sweet mocha chocolate turning to tones of clove and hints of vanilla and spicy oak, turning to smooth fine tannins on the lingering finish.
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2023/05/surf-turf-dinner-with-favorite-howell.html
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3/6/2023 - the355man Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking wonderfully right out of the bottle. May be a bit past its peak, just starting to fade. If you have a bottle now is a good time to enjoy it.
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7/25/2020 - KenK wrote: 89 Points
Opened for Galloni Howell Mtn seminar.
Quite pretty. Dark sweet plummy black cherry aromas with black spice. Dark dry firm spiced black fruits. A touch hard with a bitter chocolate edge. Still dominated by structure in a chunky way. Fruit gets a bit lost by the firm texture.
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1/4/2018 - CLOrta wrote: 94 Points
This wine is drinking amazing now. It has been properly cellared decanted for 3 hours and still had oomph to it! This wine still has room to age. Full mouth with tannins beautiful fruit and balanced. We tried an ‘03 Caymus next to it and the ‘03 is past it’s prime and everyone loved the Robert Craig.
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12/20/2013 - mactheknife wrote: 91 Points
Still big and powerful; pretty classic Howell Mountain stuff with 11 years on it. Its nicely integrated now and opened without much coaxing. The tannins have assimilated and provide a nice structure but the fruit is releasing. Dark with black fruit, some spice and a nice hint of vanilla. Lots left in this one.
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6/23/2013 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 90 Points
Outstanding offering from one of our favorite wineries in an otherwise OK vintage. Deep garnet in the glass. Caramel, blackberry and damp earth on the nose. Coffee, dark cherry and bit of Howell Mtn. bramble and pepper on th palate. Very strong entry against an '89 Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace and a 1997 B.R. Cohn Olive Hill in celebration of Matt's (1989) birthday.
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10/13/2012 - flwinos wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for about 1.5 hours. Drinking very well. Nice nose, and still had some tannins on the backend. Not sure I think this will get better, but I think it was drinking quite well now. Last bottle I had about 1.5 years ago and it was drinking about as good. Drink now or possibly hold a few more years - not much more though IMO. My last bottle of this vintage unfortunately.
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8/16/2012 - LCHammer wrote: 87 Points
Agree with Mallards. Past its prime. Nice nose and front palate fruit but went nowhere after that. Contrary to most others, my best experience with Craig's wines are within 1-3 years of release with a short decant.
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6/2/2012 - wconnolly wrote: 92 Points
- Garnet color with medium forming legs and aromas of black currant. It's balanced and has flavours of blackberry, black currant, black pepper and cloves with a full body. Polished texture with a long finish - Another terrific effort from Craig. Full of blackberry, plum and fresh dark fruit on the front. Clove, and a touch of pepper on the mid-palate and a long silky finish with just a bit of astringency at the end. Served with a family dinner go grilled NY strips, twice baked potato and caesar salad. We had just returned from a Craig Cabernet Club tasting at Naha Restaurant in Chicago hosted by Bob Craig and Rachel Miller.
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3/19/2011 - wconnolly wrote: 92 Points
Deep garnet color. Full of dark fruit, blackberry, plum and black cherry. Evidences the spiciness expected with Howell Mountain fruit. Well balanced tannins. Drinking well now with probably 5 years left at peak.
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1/28/2011 - Mallards wrote: 86 Points
Past its prime. Decent flavors in the mouth, but very, very hollow in the finish. RC is one of my favorites, but this was probably "too old" to be fully appreciated.
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1/1/2010 - flwinos wrote: 91 Points
This was a solid wine. My first RC with a few years of age on it and it was drinking pretty good. Opened and let breathe for about three hours before we started drinking. It was still solid after being opened up for 9 hours.
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12/22/2009 - lpk22 wrote: 90 Points
Full finish, dark fruit, nicely balanced. Good, firm tannins, could age 5 years+.
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10/3/2007 - karpos wrote: 90 Points
Nice bottle. Not sure we gave it long enough to breathe. Fairly well structured with an astringent lead in and some decent acid.
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3/23/2007 - cookie7 wrote: 89 Points
Nice and round, maybe a bit soft. Probably near its peak.
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2/5/2007 - rkenneth wrote: 93 Points
Ripe, rich and ready.
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8/21/2006 - Thralow wrote: 89 Points
Very good
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6/25/2006 - Hoya Vinophile wrote: 89 Points
This was tightly wound coming out of the gate and never really had a chance to unwind. Classic blackberry and bing cherries with hints of the mountain. Need to give this one another shot in the near future.
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12/4/2005 - Thralow wrote: 92 Points
still good 4 days after opening. (suction stopper)
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