Pulled the cork out of this one for a filet and asparagus dinner. Remarkably well preserved. Lost a bid of complexity but really was mellow and wonderful with the entre. Maybe should have been consumed in 2007 but didn't disappoint 6 years later. I'd like to take credit for above average cellaring, but have got to give credit to the vintner. Thank you for making this above average dinner superior.
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I hate to give this wine such a low ranking. The low score is really more attributable to the wine collector - not the winemaker. I kept this bottle - signed by Bruce Cakebread at a wine tasting very early in my wine love affair - for WAY too long more as a momento than as a bottle of wine. I paid the price because it was undrinkable. The cork was soft, but the ullage was minimal. My fault!
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Slight oxidation, still plenty if fruit but drink 'em if you got 'em. This bottle was a little muddy and hadn't been given enough time to stand and settle, and I think it would be better with a longer rest and a better decanting. Drank at Ad Hoc in Yountville: dinner was "chateau briand" and roasted marrow bones with sauteed romaine lettuce and radishes and crispy sauteed Rrussett potatoes and was a great match.
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While past its prime, still quite a bit of character, great color and a nice palate of dark berries and pepper. A little less complexity than a couple years ago, but has done well against the test of time.
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We started drinking this wine before dinner and were surprised at the subtle complexity of its fruit. Not bad at all for an old Napa Cab. Then when having it with some beef it was simply overwhelmed and the subtle fruits were washed out. So for the first time in awhile I set it aside, finished my meal and resumed drinking in 10 minutes or so. Ah, much better again. It was quite good on its own and we smoked down the rest of the bottle. Decanted 90 minutes prior to tasting.
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Drank over two nights and it consistently improved with the passage of time. On night one it came across as an interesting, almost brooding Napa cab but with a strange/funky flavor twang that was difficult to identify or definitively call desirable. However, on night two this wine seemed to loose its rough edges and sang in perfect harmony with dark fruit flavors having melded into a full mouthful of enjoyment that culminated in a long, smooth finish...very nice!
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The night I opened this it came across as a bit thin and astringent, albeit with a nice, elegant palate. The second night however, it was much improved. The tannins had rounded out, and were well balanced by bright acidity. It was still an elegant, refined wine, but with clearly defined flavors of iodine, shoe polish, currants, and plum. Nice mouthfeel and finish. Clearly not a blockbuster '94 California cabernet, this is an enjoyable wine that seems to have come into it's own and developed some complexity. It should hold, and perhaps even improve, for another five to ten years.
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3/13/2023 - Skbooden Likes this wine: 91 Points
Surprisingly, this had a great nose and body after all of these years. Decanted for an hour, but was immediately consumable.
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8/21/2017 - grumi62 wrote: 90 Points
still good, older, lighter, elegant, bit shorter finish, might be 91 next time
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3/14/2014 - JNK Pereira wrote:
- It's balanced with a medium/full body with a long finish - Still there.
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12/15/2013 - LingBing wrote: 91 Points
Pulled the cork out of this one for a filet and asparagus dinner. Remarkably well preserved. Lost a bid of complexity but really was mellow and wonderful with the entre. Maybe should have been consumed in 2007 but didn't disappoint 6 years later. I'd like to take credit for above average cellaring, but have got to give credit to the vintner. Thank you for making this above average dinner superior.
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10/11/2011 - jsebiri wrote:
Nice , has lost some Cali punch imh ......used to be special wine not as much anymore....nice For sure
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9/4/2011 - Brimster Does not like this wine: 70 Points
I hate to give this wine such a low ranking. The low score is really more attributable to the wine collector - not the winemaker. I kept this bottle - signed by Bruce Cakebread at a wine tasting very early in my wine love affair - for WAY too long more as a momento than as a bottle of wine. I paid the price because it was undrinkable. The cork was soft, but the ullage was minimal. My fault!
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4/25/2011 - gavinesq wrote: 89 Points
Slight oxidation, still plenty if fruit but drink 'em if you got 'em. This bottle was a little muddy and hadn't been given enough time to stand and settle, and I think it would be better with a longer rest and a better decanting. Drank at Ad Hoc in Yountville: dinner was "chateau briand" and roasted marrow bones with sauteed romaine lettuce and radishes and crispy sauteed Rrussett potatoes and was a great match.
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1/29/2011 - SEP wrote: 90 Points
While past its prime, still quite a bit of character, great color and a nice palate of dark berries and pepper. A little less complexity than a couple years ago, but has done well against the test of time.
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1/6/2011 - DrHootOwl wrote:
Superb
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9/27/2010 - dmedford wrote:
Very mature and smooth
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7/12/2010 - Radboy wrote: 91 Points
We started drinking this wine before dinner and were surprised at the subtle complexity of its fruit. Not bad at all for an old Napa Cab. Then when having it with some beef it was simply overwhelmed and the subtle fruits were washed out. So for the first time in awhile I set it aside, finished my meal and resumed drinking in 10 minutes or so. Ah, much better again. It was quite good on its own and we smoked down the rest of the bottle. Decanted 90 minutes prior to tasting.
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5/30/2010 - sirswami wrote: 91 Points
Drank over two nights and it consistently improved with the passage of time. On night one it came across as an interesting, almost brooding Napa cab but with a strange/funky flavor twang that was difficult to identify or definitively call desirable. However, on night two this wine seemed to loose its rough edges and sang in perfect harmony with dark fruit flavors having melded into a full mouthful of enjoyment that culminated in a long, smooth finish...very nice!
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11/27/2009 - KHILL wrote: 95 Points
Wow. Old School
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11/3/2009 - jsanko wrote: 86 Points
Probably a little past it's prime but still very drinkable.
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3/15/2009 - winemaker wrote: 93 Points
Excellent Cab. This wine is not an overpowering fruit bomb. It is a restrained, elegant cab compared to what is made today. Happy I had it.
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12/12/2007 - SGS wrote:
Bad cork, to the drain.
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4/9/2006 - jsebiri wrote: 91 Points
Very good> this is what i remember hoping these 94's would taste like. smooth , , not big and fruity but certainly fruity ( older style Cali ) .
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12/21/2005 - flashvictor wrote: 86 Points
Holiday's with Pam's family; 12/20/2005-12/25/2005 (East Lansing, Michigan): Slightly past its prime with fading fruit, but definately more drinkable than the 1996.
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11/20/2005 - Danny Joe wrote: 90 Points
Nice wine. Maybe past its prime. Chocolate tones, not many tannins. Good, round mouthfeel. This was a gift, and an appreciated one
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5/27/2004 - Spencer wrote: 90 Points
The night I opened this it came across as a bit thin and astringent, albeit with a nice, elegant palate. The second night however, it was much improved. The tannins had rounded out, and were well balanced by bright acidity. It was still an elegant, refined wine, but with clearly defined flavors of iodine, shoe polish, currants, and plum. Nice mouthfeel and finish. Clearly not a blockbuster '94 California cabernet, this is an enjoyable wine that seems to have come into it's own and developed some complexity. It should hold, and perhaps even improve, for another five to ten years.
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