Berry, currant, cedar, and green pepper on the nose Dark currant, tar, and dark berry fruit Great fruit acid balance Lingering finish Fabulous match to grilled filet mignon with tri-mushroom cream sauce and mashed potatoes
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Finding some bottle variation so this ticks a little lower. Very much reminded me of a Bordeaux on the nose and this one was just a touch pruney like a 2003 Bordeaux. Still older Cali and have a few bottles left so be interesting how they go over next few years.
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Very nice, definitely ready to drink, close to being too late. Medium strawberry red color has become dominant in the glass and comes through early on the palate. Finish does not last very long at this point in its life. Was decanted for 2 hours, probably not necessary.
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Plum and ripe blackberry notes. Still fruit forward, not a lot of secondary notes. This finishes silky smooth- the tannins are fully integrated. The acidity is starting to fade a bit- I'd drink these up over the short term.
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Not rated. Had a recent dental procedure, and my mouth is not right. I want to like this wine, I think I like it very much, but I can't be positive because I'm so swollen. My wife, however, is positive, and she declares the wine a singing success.
Note to self: Probably very good. Try again within the next 12 months.
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Complex nose including cassis, cherries and cedar is supplemented by tobacco and figs in the mouth. Smooth, with refined tannins and good supporting acid. Best after a 4-5 hour slow ox; tasted a little thin on day 2.
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Decanted for an hour. Nose consists of cassis, pencil lead, cherries, licorice and toast. Very smooth tannins that allow flavors of Bing cherries, raisins, figs and mint. Wonderful wine approaching it's peak.
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Overall a nice wine, deep purple, cassis, leather with nice fruit. Medium/full body with good fruit. Tight initially but opened up over the course of the night.
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A very nice cassis nose to start. This fruit forward Cabernet has a spicy, smokey character that's quit nice. The black fruit flavors are very dense and well balanced. The alcohol content is high, at 15.4%, but the wine is not overpowering at all. The finish is lush and lengthly. A great effort...
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Popped and poured. This was holding back a little. Nice cab but wasn't giving much up. 24 hrs later it is signing with everything in tune. Beautifully balanced and the finish goes on for over a minute. The tannins were a little gritty and dusty the first day, but smoothed out nicely on the second.
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Rich, delicious black cherry fruit with oak and cassis flavors, beautiful wine, long finish, excellent structure, fruit forward, suspect 2nd wine drunk was corked
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Drank this at Mike Pobega's CLONYC 39. I can't find my notes, so I'll post his. 'After 39 CLONYC dinners, the only empirical knowledge I have gained is how good wines pale when tasted along great wines. This is a very good wine by any standard; red and black fruits with cherries, cardamom and some edgy tannins, but it becomes outclassed quickly when one realizes that you just had the Shafer Hillside and the Mondavi PNV. It certainly shown itself to be a correct Cabernet with some dimension but lacking was the pizzazz. On the table, alone and with some time to spend, this would be a minor rockstar, tonight it’s a roadie'. 90
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Very Enjoyable. Initial mineral taste exited on the second sip. Dark concentrated, but fairly sweet, dark cherry and an small amount of vanilla. Just as good the second day.
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Wine was very different from when previously tasted. Very tight and closed, loads of tannin. Medium-bodied black cherry fruit, good structure, short finish, leathery flavors but not expansive.
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Huge nose on this. Very intense & concentrated black fruit with black currant & plum coming through on the nose. I honestly just swirled and sniffed this for about 2 to 3 minutes because it was so amazing. On initial tasting extremely fruit forward, Dark chewy Black fruit including blackberries, black cherry, & plum. This was so well-balanced and complex in every regard that is truly now one my favorites. One additional note we had this in a Magnum format and it was an 06 so of course it will need a little longer to age.
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open for 2 hours, smooth, nice cab lavors, finish is a little bitter with grippy tannins and seeemed empty or hollow. Not as big on this wine as other users, maybe a little more time or time to breathe. the g/f loved it, maybe its just me.
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nose; forest floor, cassis, leather, and espresso. palate; blackberries, mocha, vanilla, and black licorice. full bodied and medium plus tannins. long finish.
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The fill was into the neck; popped and poured. Youthful appearance, with notes of black cherry, licorice, vanilla and roasted fennel. Rather full bodied, with a pleasant mouthfeel, but still some tannins to resolve.
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Decanted to remove sediment. Rather reserved nose. The fruit is in the background on the palate as well. More earthy and woody flavors. Decent mouth feel.
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Soft, smooth black cherry fruit with slight chalky and oak flavors, very well balanced, very good structure, seems to be blend of Cab and Merlot, fruit forward, nice finish, ready to drink
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Harder than before. This is still a jucy wine but it is holding back a lot of depth I think. The taste is full of dark berries and chalk. I will hold my last bottle for some years.
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nose; forest floor, cassis, leather, and espresso. palate; blackberries, mocha, vanilla, and black licorice. full bodied and medium plus tannins. long finish.
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Very typicial Napa style of Cabernet. Wonderful to drink now. Full of Cassis and plums. Taste is very long and rich. My only problem with this wine is it's slightly overdone style and alcohol of 15,4%vol.
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Decanted for two hours and funneled back into the bottle. Even so, it was still a little tight. Luscious fruit. Good potential, but probably would benefit from a year or more of life in the bottle.
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Decanted for a couple of hours. Wine is still young and would improve with longer cellaring, but exhibited nice fruit and good balance. Can't wait to drink it in a couple of years.
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Still needs time. It's shed a load of tannin and needs a careful decant to get it off the sediment. The air is a necessity as well to smooth some hard edges and add some flesh. Again, bright red fruit takes a backseat to charred cedar, butter and oak notes. Beginning to put on some weight, and the middle fills in with a few hours of air. Good, but still wound up too tight and a bit primary for a fair evaluation. Still believe this has a strong upside.
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nose; forest floor, cassis, leather, and espresso. palate; blackberries, mocha, vanilla, and black licorice. full bodied and medium plus tannins. long finish.
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Tasted this briefly at a retailer. From magnum. Dark garnet in the glass. Fairly straightforward currant and cedar nose with a similar palate. Somewhat astringent tannins starting mid palate. Pretty good, but shy of greatness. Call it a 90.
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Only had a relatively small pour. Paired with bison tenderloin. Some classic Napa cab characteristics, but not overly oaked. Smooth, but I think this will be better in a few years. I liked it.
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tasted along side 2006 Oakville East Exposure Cabernet Sauvignon. showing very well at pop and pour. lively black fruit and just as much blacktop. rich fruit on the palate, such weight of lush fruit. vs. Snowden The Ranch...this is a lot more approachable and not wound up as tightly. more than accessable balance for a young cabernet. oak is also in a nice spot in early life. after an hour, much more of an up front oak express. balsa. positive wood shop. tannin is now at the forefront and this wine is getting tougher. in the end, i'd really like to see where this guy ends up going. in the end...accessible dark blackness and highly structured.
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Much more balanced on the oak treatment. Much more balanced in its big gutsy way than The Ranch. Tight now, needs some time. Strongest note of cherry cola.
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nose; forest floor, cassis, leather, and espresso. palate; blackberries, mocha, vanilla, and black licorice. full bodied and medium plus tannins. long finish.
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Still showing primary grape and cherry flavors. Well slathered in malolactic butter and creamy oak. Bright and tight, needs several hours air to stretch out. Even then, its obviously needs cellar time to develop some secondary interest. Good, with upside potential.
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A few more years in the cellar, and this one might be a 95. It has a dark berry nose with a good hint of oak. The structure is very good, and the finish is long and smooth. It was my favorite of the night at a local wine store tasting.
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1/15/2023 - KaupCava Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wish I had another few bottles !
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9/21/2021 - KaupCava Likes this wine: 94 Points
Berry, currant, cedar, and green pepper on the nose
Dark currant, tar, and dark berry fruit
Great fruit acid balance
Lingering finish
Fabulous match to grilled filet mignon with tri-mushroom cream sauce and mashed potatoes
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2/23/2020 - Mbad77 wrote: 91 Points
Finding some bottle variation so this ticks a little lower. Very much reminded me of a Bordeaux on the nose and this one was just a touch pruney like a 2003 Bordeaux. Still older Cali and have a few bottles left so be interesting how they go over next few years.
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4/21/2019 - Sugarb Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very nice, definitely ready to drink, close to being too late. Medium strawberry red color has become dominant in the glass and comes through early on the palate. Finish does not last very long at this point in its life. Was decanted for 2 hours, probably not necessary.
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2/23/2019 - mjf@ulkner wrote: 90 Points
Plum and ripe blackberry notes. Still fruit forward, not a lot of secondary notes. This finishes silky smooth- the tannins are fully integrated. The acidity is starting to fade a bit- I'd drink these up over the short term.
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10/18/2018 - bobadopolis Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent
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2/28/2018 - bobadopolis Likes this wine:
Not rated. Had a recent dental procedure, and my mouth is not right. I want to like this wine, I think I like it very much, but I can't be positive because I'm so swollen. My wife, however, is positive, and she declares the wine a singing success.
Note to self: Probably very good. Try again within the next 12 months.
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6/3/2017 - Hamersly Likes this wine: 93 Points
Complex nose including cassis, cherries and cedar is supplemented by tobacco and figs in the mouth. Smooth, with refined tannins and good supporting acid. Best after a 4-5 hour slow ox; tasted a little thin on day 2.
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3/26/2017 - Snag One Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted for an hour. Nose consists of cassis, pencil lead, cherries, licorice and toast. Very smooth tannins that allow flavors of Bing cherries, raisins, figs and mint. Wonderful wine approaching it's peak.
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11/6/2016 - Grinner wrote: 90 Points
20th Annual Lyon 10 Year Retrospective: The Mish Mash (Lyon Den): Obvious Cab fruit profile with nice density. Not terribly complex, but a nice long tannic finish. 90 on day 2. Now-2020
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7/9/2016 - Bluethunder wrote: 91 Points
Overall a nice wine, deep purple, cassis, leather with nice fruit. Medium/full body with good fruit. Tight initially but opened up over the course of the night.
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1/31/2016 - nm10 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Lovely nose. Deep purple colour. Fruit forward, nice balance, and a long finish.
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3/8/2015 - CV Griz Fan Likes this wine: 95 Points
A very nice cassis nose to start. This fruit forward Cabernet has a spicy, smokey character that's quit nice. The black fruit flavors are very dense and well balanced. The alcohol content is high, at 15.4%, but the wine is not overpowering at all. The finish is lush and lengthly. A great effort...
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11/10/2014 - Mr T wrote:
decanted a couple of hours before heading to dinner...shared with 3 couples and can't say it ever really got going for me...probably needed more time
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7/16/2014 - hawkeye54 wrote: 95 Points
Popped and poured. This was holding back a little. Nice cab but wasn't giving much up. 24 hrs later it is signing with everything in tune. Beautifully balanced and the finish goes on for over a minute. The tannins were a little gritty and dusty the first day, but smoothed out nicely on the second.
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5/8/2014 - Amerique wrote: 93 Points
Rich, delicious black cherry fruit with oak and cassis flavors, beautiful wine, long finish, excellent structure, fruit forward, suspect 2nd wine drunk was corked
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4/12/2014 - ELH wrote: 92 Points
Alas, the last bottle. In a fine drinking window, with exquisite balance among age, tannins, and Cabernet fruit.
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1/27/2014 - Mr T wrote:
end of the evening and pretty good but no match following the Ramey Pedregal
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1/14/2014 - ELH wrote: 90 Points
Drinking nicely now.
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12/29/2013 - ELH wrote: 89 Points
Decanted in glass for an hour. Restrained fruit and aroma; edgy tannins.
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10/10/2013 - EMichels wrote: 92 Points
Nice nose; Good structure; A bit brambly; Purple fruit; Structure slightly compressed
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10/9/2013 - dhammer53 wrote: 92 Points
Drank this at Mike Pobega's CLONYC 39. I can't find my notes, so I'll post his. 'After 39 CLONYC dinners, the only empirical knowledge I have gained is how good wines pale when tasted along great wines. This is a very good wine by any standard; red and black fruits with cherries, cardamom and some edgy tannins, but it becomes outclassed quickly when one realizes that you just had the Shafer Hillside and the Mondavi PNV. It certainly shown itself to be a correct Cabernet with some dimension but lacking was the pizzazz. On the table, alone and with some time to spend, this would be a minor rockstar, tonight it’s a roadie'. 90
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9/8/2013 - TheWineDon wrote: 93 Points
Very Enjoyable. Initial mineral taste exited on the second sip. Dark concentrated, but fairly sweet, dark cherry and an small amount of vanilla. Just as good the second day.
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9/2/2013 - 2Travel Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice Cabernet. Medium to full body. Lovely nose of dark fruit. Cassis. Good tannins. Not as classic a flavor as the Caymus, but nice.
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3/16/2013 - Amerique wrote: 90 Points
Wine was very different from when previously tasted. Very tight and closed, loads of tannin. Medium-bodied black cherry fruit, good structure, short finish, leathery flavors but not expansive.
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1/5/2013 - JDV.DDSPHD wrote: 93 Points
Huge nose on this. Very intense & concentrated black fruit with black currant & plum coming through on the nose. I honestly just swirled and sniffed this for about 2 to 3 minutes because it was so amazing. On initial tasting extremely fruit forward, Dark chewy Black fruit including blackberries, black cherry, & plum. This was so well-balanced and complex in every regard that is truly now one my favorites. One additional note we had this in a Magnum format and it was an 06 so of course it will need a little longer to age.
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11/29/2012 - Mr T wrote:
Very pretty wine....young enought to drink but will go for years...deep purple, not too sweet but nicely ripe fruit...cassis and cherry
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9/2/2012 - J2K wrote:
open for 2 hours, smooth, nice cab lavors, finish is a little bitter with grippy tannins and seeemed empty or hollow. Not as big on this wine as other users, maybe a little more time or time to breathe. the g/f loved it, maybe its just me.
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9/2/2012 - botrytisvirtuoso1819 wrote: 96 Points
nose; forest floor, cassis, leather, and espresso.
palate; blackberries, mocha, vanilla, and black licorice.
full bodied and medium plus tannins.
long finish.
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9/1/2012 - tbabes wrote: flawed
Slightly oxidized and undrinkable
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8/24/2012 - tbabes wrote: 93 Points
The fill was into the neck; popped and poured. Youthful appearance, with notes of black cherry, licorice, vanilla and roasted fennel. Rather full bodied, with a pleasant mouthfeel, but still some tannins to resolve.
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8/11/2012 - mbenz wrote: 90 Points
Decanted to remove sediment. Rather reserved nose. The fruit is in the background on the palate as well. More earthy and woody flavors. Decent mouth feel.
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6/30/2012 - Arcturus wrote: 93 Points
93- Very intense, black currant nose, heavy but balanced mid palate. The finish is rough and tannic but good. Needs a few years but enjoyable now.
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5/8/2012 - Lord Rodney wrote: 91 Points
Very dark and a bit harsh. Will it improve, maybe but I can't wait for that. NOw it's gone
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3/10/2012 - Amerique wrote: 93 Points
Soft, smooth black cherry fruit with slight chalky and oak flavors, very well balanced, very good structure, seems to be blend of Cab and Merlot, fruit forward, nice finish, ready to drink
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12/29/2011 - Lord Rodney wrote: 94 Points
Harder than before. This is still a jucy wine but it is holding back a lot of depth I think. The taste is full of dark berries and chalk. I will hold my last bottle for some years.
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9/24/2011 - botrytisvirtuoso1819 wrote: 96 Points
nose; forest floor, cassis, leather, and espresso.
palate; blackberries, mocha, vanilla, and black licorice.
full bodied and medium plus tannins.
long finish.
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9/12/2011 - canan wrote: 93 Points
BYO (Lyng): Wild and edgy with some black currants and a harsh acidity. Seems closed down.
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9/11/2011 - Lord Rodney wrote: 94 Points
Very typicial Napa style of Cabernet. Wonderful to drink now. Full of Cassis and plums. Taste is very long and rich. My only problem with this wine is it's slightly overdone style and alcohol of 15,4%vol.
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8/15/2011 - mactheknife wrote: 94 Points
Just a beautiful wine; went thru an aeration device and drank immediately; dark fruit, some graphite, smooth and balanced. Got plenty of life left.
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1/29/2011 - ELH wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for two hours and funneled back into the bottle. Even so, it was still a little tight. Luscious fruit. Good potential, but probably would benefit from a year or more of life in the bottle.
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1/1/2011 - grubmanda wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for a couple of hours. Wine is still young and would improve with longer cellaring, but exhibited nice fruit and good balance. Can't wait to drink it in a couple of years.
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11/25/2010 - dontime wrote: 93 Points
No formal notes, last wine of the evening, still young but has a lot going on. Rich and balanced and the best wine of the night.
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10/6/2010 - simply red wrote:
with
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4/12/2010 - Jody Smith wrote:
Still needs time. It's shed a load of tannin and needs a careful decant to get it off the sediment. The air is a necessity as well to smooth some hard edges and add some flesh. Again, bright red fruit takes a backseat to charred cedar, butter and oak notes. Beginning to put on some weight, and the middle fills in with a few hours of air. Good, but still wound up too tight and a bit primary for a fair evaluation. Still believe this has a strong upside.
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4/4/2010 - botrytisvirtuoso1819 wrote: 96 Points
nose; forest floor, cassis, leather, and espresso.
palate; blackberries, mocha, vanilla, and black licorice.
full bodied and medium plus tannins.
long finish.
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1/21/2010 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
Tasted this briefly at a retailer. From magnum. Dark garnet in the glass. Fairly straightforward currant and cedar nose with a similar palate. Somewhat astringent tannins starting mid palate. Pretty good, but shy of greatness. Call it a 90.
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11/15/2009 - mbenz wrote: 91 Points
Only had a relatively small pour. Paired with bison tenderloin. Some classic Napa cab characteristics, but not overly oaked. Smooth, but I think this will be better in a few years. I liked it.
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10/8/2009 - nzinkgraf wrote:
tasted along side 2006 Oakville East Exposure Cabernet Sauvignon.
showing very well at pop and pour. lively black fruit and just as much blacktop. rich fruit on the palate, such weight of lush fruit. vs. Snowden The Ranch...this is a lot more approachable and not wound up as tightly. more than accessable balance for a young cabernet. oak is also in a nice spot in early life. after an hour, much more of an up front oak express. balsa. positive wood shop. tannin is now at the forefront and this wine is getting tougher. in the end, i'd really like to see where this guy ends up going.
in the end...accessible dark blackness and highly structured.
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10/8/2009 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Much more balanced on the oak treatment. Much more balanced in its big gutsy way than The Ranch. Tight now, needs some time. Strongest note of cherry cola.
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9/12/2009 - botrytisvirtuoso1819 wrote: 96 Points
nose; forest floor, cassis, leather, and espresso.
palate; blackberries, mocha, vanilla, and black licorice.
full bodied and medium plus tannins.
long finish.
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6/21/2009 - Jody Smith wrote: 90 Points
Still showing primary grape and cherry flavors. Well slathered in malolactic butter and creamy oak. Bright and tight, needs several hours air to stretch out. Even then, its obviously needs cellar time to develop some secondary interest. Good, with upside potential.
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3/14/2009 - dpohlman wrote: 93 Points
A few more years in the cellar, and this one might be a 95. It has a dark berry nose with a good hint of oak. The structure is very good, and the finish is long and smooth. It was my favorite of the night at a local wine store tasting.
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