Dry cork. 13.5% Ribena (blackcurrant) on nose when opened. In good shape. It’s certainly aged with a older Italian / French impression on nose. Strong colour and plenty of fruit left. Quite soft and open and easy to drink but lacking any cut and rather simple / short. Touch of sourness for sone interest to wrap up finish. It does have just so little on the finish, short is an exaggeration- none is appropriate initially. Didn’t expect anything as was part of an Auction bundle. Happy enough with this given age and expectations
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Very surpised, this was an outstanding wine that is drinking great right now. More cab like characteristics, especially in the finish. Wish I had more of this.
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Pleasantly surprised. I forgot when/where I purchased the bottle, but found it to be one that I would buy again. Fruit forward, fairly balanced, cab like in many ways. Nose got better w/ time, finished very well.
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a wine with great character but not a masterpiece. good mouth feel. nice blackcherry flavor lingers a bit. still has tannins to shed but fruit must be fading since the nose came up short, in contrast with reviews by others who enjoyed several years ago. i don't want to be too critical of this wine but i assume it is made from grapes that have been de-selected from the insignia cuvee. enjoyable nevertheless and fairly priced. let's not forget that standing sideways, i would have to join the side of the debate that says that merlot is not the most successful grape in napa.
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4/30/2023 - Mbad77 wrote: 88 Points
Dry cork. 13.5%
Ribena (blackcurrant) on nose when opened. In good shape. It’s certainly aged with a older Italian / French impression on nose.
Strong colour and plenty of fruit left. Quite soft and open and easy to drink but lacking any cut and rather simple / short. Touch of sourness for sone interest to wrap up finish. It does have just so little on the finish, short is an exaggeration- none is appropriate initially.
Didn’t expect anything as was part of an Auction bundle. Happy enough with this given age and expectations
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12/31/2014 - brianofthevine wrote: 88 Points
Past its prime, muted red fruit, subtle earth, short finish.
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9/21/2009 - AlexHop wrote: 87 Points
Lean, not a lot of substance.
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9/6/2009 - AlexHop wrote: 89 Points
Very good, well balanced and smooth. Not especially interesting but still solid.
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6/17/2009 - ejca wrote:
Very surpised, this was an outstanding wine that is drinking great right now. More cab like characteristics, especially in the finish. Wish I had more of this.
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3/25/2008 - GPujia wrote: 90 Points
Pleasantly surprised. I forgot when/where I purchased the bottle, but found it to be one that I would buy again. Fruit forward, fairly balanced, cab like in many ways. Nose got better w/ time, finished very well.
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1/17/2008 - guyxjones wrote: 80 Points
Tannins. No fruit. No nose.
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1/1/2008 - JBVino wrote:
no notes taken...
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11/2/2007 - bacchus wrote: 89 Points
a wine with great character but not a masterpiece. good mouth feel. nice blackcherry flavor lingers a bit. still has tannins to shed but fruit must be fading since the nose came up short, in contrast with reviews by others who enjoyed several years ago. i don't want to be too critical of this wine but i assume it is made from grapes that have been de-selected from the insignia cuvee. enjoyable nevertheless and fairly priced. let's not forget that standing sideways, i would have to join the side of the debate that says that merlot is not the most successful grape in napa.
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4/8/2006 - skwid wrote:
Opened and poured, not decanted. Drunk from Spiegelau Vino Grande Bordeaux glasses.
Very aromatic upon opening with notes of chocolate and cherries. Tannins are there but not obtrusive. Finish is decent but not super long.
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7/24/2005 - davetong wrote: 91 Points
Took to a friend's house for dinner; now I wish I'd kept it all for myself because it was excellent.
I'd say it was at its peak right now.
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