Classically Bordeaux styled Napa Meritage. Dark purple, medium bodied blend. Right Bank style as the wine seems very approachable, with a smooth and soft tannic structure. I would guess there is a large percentage of Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, with a much lesser percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Dry, but lots of black and red fruits, blackberry, spicy cassis, plum, and red cherry with an underpinning of vanilla and hints of forest floor, cedar and tobacco. Finishes long. Very nice. Paired well with grilled ribeye and lobster on New Years Eve.
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A bit subdued, but a well made wine. Deep, dark color. Black fruit primarily on the nose. An initial taste of blackberry, currant, and (oddly enough) grape laffy taffy. Then evens out with some solid tannins and structure, but nothing overwhelming. Overall, just very smooth.
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Saturday, July 11, 2009 at local restaurant in Weston, MO, "The Vineyards". With rack of lamb, garlic new potato puree; a little reedy and light, tannins evident but not overpowering; fruit was balckberry bramble up front, without a notable finish. Basic structure good - this is a wine I'd like to try again in about three years - it will either have stayed flat and be disappointing, or grown into its own and be superb. Might be a great value to buy now and hold.
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Pop and poured. Dark purple color. A distinct barnyard essence is apparent, though it seems to be dissipating as the wine opens, leaving a mixed nose of violets and berries. Full flavors of plum, tar, and coffee, with a tart red berry note folding in. With moderate depth and richness, there's a velvety texture yet the finish turns crisp. Tasted last September at the winery, with consistent notes.
Day two: this has come together a bit more and showing even a little nicer than yesterday. 89-90 pts.
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Dark violet color with an olive and dusty nose; basic red blend with a definite Cab/Merlot emphasis; flavor is solid, albeut somewhat green/stemmy with noticeable tannins; not my favorite style, but a solid bottle for folks who like the Stag's Leap style
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Could not stay away from a second bottle. Same consistent notes from last bottle. Clean, honest drinking wine. Not one of those fruit bombs. Just right with good fruit and acid.
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I see that this wine can age until 2012. Its drinking very well right now. Lots of red fruit (cranberry and strawberry) on the nose. Lovely ripe plum on the pallet. Well made and worth drinking.
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Nice clean honest old world style. Nose has red currant, cranberry, hint of juniper and raspberry. Clean fresh nose changes to oaky and full with dark chocolate. Mouth is clean with slight spice and red currant and raspberry. Good balance with great finishing tannins. Drinks old world. No fruit or oak that overpowers. Good clean stuff with tight tannins. 18 months in French oak. 25% new.
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1/20/2012 - phantphant wrote: 90 Points
YUUUUP!
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12/31/2011 - wmccone54 wrote: 93 Points
Classically Bordeaux styled Napa Meritage. Dark purple, medium bodied blend. Right Bank style as the wine seems very approachable, with a smooth and soft tannic structure. I would guess there is a large percentage of Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, with a much lesser percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Dry, but lots of black and red fruits, blackberry, spicy cassis, plum, and red cherry with an underpinning of vanilla and hints of forest floor, cedar and tobacco. Finishes long. Very nice. Paired well with grilled ribeye and lobster on New Years Eve.
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7/2/2011 - Fishboy wrote: 88 Points
Similar notes
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12/30/2010 - willison wrote: 90 Points
A bit subdued, but a well made wine. Deep, dark color. Black fruit primarily on the nose. An initial taste of blackberry, currant, and (oddly enough) grape laffy taffy. Then evens out with some solid tannins and structure, but nothing overwhelming. Overall, just very smooth.
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12/25/2010 - Fishboy wrote: 88 Points
Dark fruit with cedar, currant and some earth notes.
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11/28/2010 - kbower wrote: 91 Points
The wine should taste.
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8/1/2010 - JJG1961 wrote: 89 Points
Chocolate and currants. Medium tannins
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12/15/2009 - jackarmando wrote: 88 Points
Kind of dull, though much more elegant than your typical CA Cab.
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7/11/2009 - KC Lawyer wrote: 90 Points
Saturday, July 11, 2009 at local restaurant in Weston, MO, "The Vineyards". With rack of lamb, garlic new potato puree; a little reedy and light, tannins evident but not overpowering; fruit was balckberry bramble up front, without a notable finish. Basic structure good - this is a wine I'd like to try again in about three years - it will either have stayed flat and be disappointing, or grown into its own and be superb. Might be a great value to buy now and hold.
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3/14/2009 - pcurry wrote: 89 Points
Excellent, versatile bottle--usually gets used with pasta, etc. but today was by itself. Red fruit forward
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3/10/2009 - scott davis wrote: 89 Points
Pop and poured. Dark purple color. A distinct barnyard essence is apparent, though it seems to be dissipating as the wine opens, leaving a mixed nose of violets and berries. Full flavors of plum, tar, and coffee, with a tart red berry note folding in. With moderate depth and richness, there's a velvety texture yet the finish turns crisp. Tasted last September at the winery, with consistent notes.
Day two: this has come together a bit more and showing even a little nicer than yesterday. 89-90 pts.
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2/21/2009 - pcurry wrote: 89 Points
Very nice red, very complimentary to pizza. "Juiciness" more evident with food.
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12/25/2008 - sinebubble wrote:
Decent. A little "Meritagey" with some green notes.
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12/9/2008 - sdatl wrote: 87 Points
Dark violet color with an olive and dusty nose; basic red blend with a definite Cab/Merlot emphasis; flavor is solid, albeut somewhat green/stemmy with noticeable tannins; not my favorite style, but a solid bottle for folks who like the Stag's Leap style
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9/8/2008 - spts1000 wrote: 90 Points
very solid wine. wish i had more
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8/25/2008 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 91 Points
Family Winemakers San Francisco; 8/24/2008-8/25/2008 (Fort Mason, San Francisco): Olive and red fruit nose; tasty olive, tart red fruit palate; medium finish 91+ pts. (blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc)
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6/30/2008 - fandersson wrote: 90 Points
Could not stay away from a second bottle. Same consistent notes from last bottle. Clean, honest drinking wine. Not one of those fruit bombs. Just right with good fruit and acid.
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5/20/2008 - Mikealvin wrote: 90 Points
I see that this wine can age until 2012. Its drinking very well right now. Lots of red fruit (cranberry and strawberry) on the nose. Lovely ripe plum on the pallet. Well made and worth drinking.
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4/3/2008 - fandersson wrote: 90 Points
Nice clean honest old world style. Nose has red currant, cranberry, hint of juniper and raspberry. Clean fresh nose changes to oaky and full with dark chocolate. Mouth is clean with slight spice and red currant and raspberry. Good balance with great finishing tannins.
Drinks old world. No fruit or oak that overpowers. Good clean stuff with tight tannins.
18 months in French oak. 25% new.
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