Wow, this was just singing. Velvety texture, fully resolved tannins, vibrant and tart black fruit and black liquorice, excellent acidity, not a hint of this getting tired, and none of the sweetness to the fruit that I find on older vintages of lesser Cali Cabs.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
To a lumnch tasting. Quite a lovely showing with soft leather, tobacco leaf, plum, some floral lift. Silky on the palate. It won't get any better than this. 91-92
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
For about the first 30 minutes this smelled like it was freshly shoveled out of the horse paddock. Really strong and unapproachable. Blew off and settled down to give a nicely aged Cab character of plum, tobacco, black cherry, saddle leather, woodpile, some herbs. Good body with plenty of lift and persistence. Resolved tannins.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Really outstanding aged Cabernet. Still very vibrant with lots of life left. Dark fruit and spice. Very fragrant nose. 10-15 second finish. Lovely wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I obtained this bottle through the opimian and what a nice find! Drank new years after 3 hrs decanting, gorgeous nose and complete - rusty tinge showed it's age and readiness. Not along finish and sone tannins still left and lots of fruit still present with currants and a nice amount of oak. If there was a hint of chocolate I'd go for 95 but alas if you have any left drink it up!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Smooth, ripe and polished, with tiers of plum, black cherry, currant and cedar, it's rich and focused, long on the finish. A wine that combines depth and concentration. JD90
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not perfectly integrated, but pretty darn close (my guess is a tad over the hill, if anything but was still showing a good amount of fruit). Tasted against a newbie 2006, which most at the table preferred (saying the 95 was halfway to vinegar) but I strongly liked the 95 and sommellier said was nothing wrong with 95.
A delight. This bottle was temperature controlled very cool and never saw the light of day, so I would strongly suggest drinking up any that aren't.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Med red. Lead pencil, blackcurrant. Blackcurrant flavours , piney, with licorice finish. Still refreshing at this age! Really interesting minerality. With time, the palate brodened to incude cherry pie filling. med weight.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This note is based on two bottles. For the first, I had: "This struck me as thin, fruitless, and a little musty. There was some interesting earth and tobacco that some people may like, but I didn't finish the bottle." Just had the second though and the first was clearly flawed in some way. The second was closed down at first, but opened up nicely after about an hour. It was light, smooth, and elegant, with somewhat light fruit for a cab - more cherry than blackberry, and a good bit of earthiness. Really quite nice. I drank it too fast thinking it would decline, but it was actually getting stronger as I finished it. Wish I had another.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Absolutely in a great place right now. Black ruby color. Nose has fruit somewhere between plum and prune, with soft leather, black walnut hulls, earthy undertones. Medium body but lithe and supple in the mouth. This has come together with such harmony with long aging. Great opportunity to acquire this at such a lovely place in its aging arc. Fabulous with steak strips and onions, sweet potato fries, wilted spinach.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very nicely aged. No sharp edges on this wine. Strong stone fruit and a light funk on both the nose and mouth. Very well balanced. Drinking very well for a 15 year old California Cab. This should still have several years left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep inky purple, plenty of fruit on the nose with ripe cherry and some earth. Very smooth mouthfeel, structure is holding up nicely. More subtle palate of tobacco, cherries and cedar. Great wine!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A nice well balanced Cab. After an hour in the decanter, this wine showed silky tannins and a complex nose of clove, cinnamon and black olive. It continued to evolve with a general minty fragrance emerging on top of a nice structured palate. Seems like it has plenty of life left in it but it is certainly drinking well right now. Nice crimson color with a garnet touch.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lots of fruit still on this one. Very tannic. I enjoyed this with a fantastic Filet Mignon. Also served a 1996 Chateau Haut-Bailly. Unfortunately the Burgess was out of it's league.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
New Year's Weekend @ Rob & Lisa's; 1/1/2009-1/4/2009 (Scott's Valley, CA): Beautiful old cab nose of some musty dark fruits, currant, and a touch of spicy oak. Initially a bit uninteresting at the pop and pour, an hour of air really allowed it to blossom. Quite a lot of round fruits still hanging around here balanced out with soft oak and a slight bit of acidity. This seems like a pretty well made wine, and considering its age and the price, it really is a steal at $37. Not quite as good as the 93 BV Georges La Tour that KL had a special last year for the same price, but a very nice wine that went well with our ribeye steaks.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This took about a half hour or so to open up but once it did, it showed a nice blend of fruit with just a touch of a tannic finish. Oak seems to be pretty well integrated at this point and there is a slight bit of old leather mixed in as well. Pretty good for the price and I think that this has aged well and should last for at least another 5 years or so.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I bougt this last week from K&L on a Library Release for 40 bucks. Good aged Napa ab with plenty of power and grip left. Soft tannins and firm acidity provide structure for tar fruit. Full bodied and complex with secondary notes of currant, licorice and spice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
(at Bobby Vans – NYC, from magnum) medium ruby. Bright nose of cassis and a touch of herb. Medium body, tight on opening, and good not great depth or richness. Still this is a good wine on the elegant side of the Cali spectrum. Pleasing enough. (87)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I was surprised by how much fruit was still there. There was a fair amount of complexity as well. Medium bodied which I don't love but a pleasant surprise overall.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
12/20/2019 - mflesh wrote: flawed
Cow manure and weeds. Soap in a Frenchman's armpit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/22/2019 - sunnylea57 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wow, this was just singing. Velvety texture, fully resolved tannins, vibrant and tart black fruit and black liquorice, excellent acidity, not a hint of this getting tired, and none of the sweetness to the fruit that I find on older vintages of lesser Cali Cabs.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/21/2019 - korniev wrote: 86 Points
Yet not that old, a very tired bottle....Moving towards Madeira and Port notes however not oxidized. Not much pleasure and very simple.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/8/2018 - sunnylea57 Likes this wine: 92 Points
From magnum. Great balance. Tart red fruit, sweet licorice, hints of dried tobacco, excellent acidity, good weight. A winner.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/21/2018 - sunnylea57 Likes this wine: 93 Points
From magnum. Fresh and vibrant fruit, excellent acidity and tart tannins. Lovely balance. Still has years ahead of it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/18/2014 - grosel wrote: 88 Points
better than expected but i thought it would be done... drink now and drink fast.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/31/2012 - MindMuse wrote:
To a lumnch tasting. Quite a lovely showing with soft leather, tobacco leaf, plum, some floral lift. Silky on the palate. It won't get any better than this. 91-92
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/7/2012 - bwillia wrote: 79 Points
Three bottles in a row now and they have all been dead. What a bummer!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/24/2012 - bwillia wrote: 80 Points
This bottle was completely dead
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/2/2011 - MindMuse wrote: 90 Points
For about the first 30 minutes this smelled like it was freshly shoveled out of the horse paddock. Really strong and unapproachable. Blew off and settled down to give a nicely aged Cab character of plum, tobacco, black cherry, saddle leather, woodpile, some herbs. Good body with plenty of lift and persistence. Resolved tannins.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/20/2011 - Ceo wrote: 92 Points
At the end but still nice!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/5/2011 - adbrownstein wrote: 91 Points
- Garnet color with medium forming legs.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/28/2011 - seanness wrote: 87 Points
Might be past its prime. Should have been smooth, but was a bit caustic.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/8/2011 - Mark from Plano wrote: 92 Points
Really outstanding aged Cabernet. Still very vibrant with lots of life left. Dark fruit and spice. Very fragrant nose. 10-15 second finish. Lovely wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2011 - rosko47 wrote: 91 Points
I obtained this bottle through the opimian and what a nice find! Drank new years after 3 hrs decanting, gorgeous nose and complete - rusty tinge showed it's age and readiness. Not along finish and sone tannins still left and lots of fruit still present with currants and a nice amount of oak. If there was a hint of chocolate I'd go for 95 but alas if you have any left drink it up!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/6/2010 - InternationalWineReport wrote: 90 Points
Smooth, ripe and polished, with tiers of plum, black cherry, currant and cedar, it's rich and focused, long on the finish. A wine that combines depth and concentration. JD90
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/2/2010 - Chrisinroch wrote: flawed
Decanted 15 minutes. Thin nose of musty fruit. Fruit all but gone. Tart with a horrible finish. Flawed possible storage issues from retailer
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/30/2010 - Winebof wrote: 94 Points
Not perfectly integrated, but pretty darn close (my guess is a tad over the hill, if anything but was still showing a good amount of fruit). Tasted against a newbie 2006, which most at the table preferred (saying the 95 was halfway to vinegar) but I strongly liked the 95 and sommellier said was nothing wrong with 95.
A delight. This bottle was temperature controlled very cool and never saw the light of day, so I would strongly suggest drinking up any that aren't.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2010 - KVM wrote:
Med red. Lead pencil, blackcurrant. Blackcurrant flavours , piney, with licorice finish. Still refreshing at this age! Really interesting minerality. With time, the palate brodened to incude cherry pie filling. med weight.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/15/2010 - wp888 wrote: 90 Points
This note is based on two bottles.
For the first, I had: "This struck me as thin, fruitless, and a little musty. There was some interesting earth and tobacco that some people may like, but I didn't finish the bottle."
Just had the second though and the first was clearly flawed in some way. The second was closed down at first, but opened up nicely after about an hour. It was light, smooth, and elegant, with somewhat light fruit for a cab - more cherry than blackberry, and a good bit of earthiness. Really quite nice. I drank it too fast thinking it would decline, but it was actually getting stronger as I finished it. Wish I had another.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/30/2010 - BigRed70 wrote: 89 Points
Good color... young looking for a 95. Plenty of mineral, cherry fruit in the mouth but lacking a bit on the nose. Good, not great.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/5/2010 - MindMuse wrote: 92 Points
Absolutely in a great place right now. Black ruby color. Nose has fruit somewhere between plum and prune, with soft leather, black walnut hulls, earthy undertones. Medium body but lithe and supple in the mouth. This has come together with such harmony with long aging. Great opportunity to acquire this at such a lovely place in its aging arc. Fabulous with steak strips and onions, sweet potato fries, wilted spinach.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2010 - Mark from Plano wrote: 90 Points
Very nicely aged. No sharp edges on this wine. Strong stone fruit and a light funk on both the nose and mouth. Very well balanced. Drinking very well for a 15 year old California Cab. This should still have several years left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/9/2010 - bwillia wrote: 88 Points
Very smooth and resolved, Decent nose. The palate is dominated by sour cherry.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/6/2010 - adbrownstein wrote: 91 Points
Deep inky purple, plenty of fruit on the nose with ripe cherry and some earth. Very smooth mouthfeel, structure is holding up nicely. More subtle palate of tobacco, cherries and cedar. Great wine!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2009 - Mark Brandon wrote: 92 Points
As Before...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/19/2009 - Mark Brandon wrote: 92 Points
Soft, Rich, surprisingly prominent red/blue fruit core for it's age. Drinking very well right now. Touch of dark fruit/leather.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/11/2009 - ksde wrote: 92 Points
A nice well balanced Cab. After an hour in the decanter, this wine showed silky tannins and a complex nose of clove, cinnamon and black olive. It continued to evolve with a general minty fragrance emerging on top of a nice structured palate. Seems like it has plenty of life left in it but it is certainly drinking well right now. Nice crimson color with a garnet touch.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/17/2009 - europat55 wrote: 91 Points
Outstanding wine. Very smooth. Tasted next to 1995 Château Branaire (Duluc-Ducru).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/12/2009 - ggmama wrote:
still holding up well. lovely smooth finish. accompanied a filet mignon and mushrooms in port wine reduction.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/10/2009 - sirswami wrote: 91 Points
This was a somewhat unexpected treat, surprisingly robust red fruit given its age and seemingly in perfect balance - just delightful.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/21/2009 - pouncey wrote: 90 Points
Lots of fruit still on this one. Very tannic. I enjoyed this with a fantastic Filet Mignon. Also served a 1996 Chateau Haut-Bailly. Unfortunately the Burgess was out of it's league.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2009 - jhannah27 wrote: 89 Points
New Year's Weekend @ Rob & Lisa's; 1/1/2009-1/4/2009 (Scott's Valley, CA): Beautiful old cab nose of some musty dark fruits, currant, and a touch of spicy oak. Initially a bit uninteresting at the pop and pour, an hour of air really allowed it to blossom. Quite a lot of round fruits still hanging around here balanced out with soft oak and a slight bit of acidity. This seems like a pretty well made wine, and considering its age and the price, it really is a steal at $37. Not quite as good as the 93 BV Georges La Tour that KL had a special last year for the same price, but a very nice wine that went well with our ribeye steaks.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2009 - Rob MacKay wrote: 88 Points
This took about a half hour or so to open up but once it did, it showed a nice blend of fruit with just a touch of a tannic finish. Oak seems to be pretty well integrated at this point and there is a slight bit of old leather mixed in as well. Pretty good for the price and I think that this has aged well and should last for at least another 5 years or so.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/17/2008 - MJTed wrote: 90 Points
I bougt this last week from K&L on a Library Release for 40 bucks. Good aged Napa ab with plenty of power and grip left. Soft tannins and firm acidity provide structure for tar fruit. Full bodied and complex with secondary notes of currant, licorice and spice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/2/2008 - mjulien wrote: 90 Points
Tanins have softened leaving a smooth full-bodied wine
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/26/2007 - dbkitc wrote: 87 Points
(at Bobby Vans – NYC, from magnum) medium ruby. Bright nose of cassis and a touch of herb. Medium body, tight on opening, and good not great depth or richness. Still this is a good wine on the elegant side of the Cali spectrum. Pleasing enough. (87)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/24/2006 - ssouth wrote: 91 Points
Dark and brooding. Still has moderate tannins. Good fruit structure. Still has several years of improvement possible
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/21/2005 - CMCLR wrote: 88 Points
I was surprised by how much fruit was still there. There was a fair amount of complexity as well. Medium bodied which I don't love but a pleasant surprise overall.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment