Friday Group Brown Bag Tasting (R&R's): Blind. A good bit of bricking hints at an older wine. A bouillon cube aroma dominates the red fruit undertones. Flavors of dried herbs and ripe, plummy fruit on the palate. The bouillon note is a bit distracting. This bottle has not held up as well as we had hoped it might.
This had been double decanted two hours before the flight was poured and there was no hint that this would have shown the way it did- in fact it seemed it would have needed the air to wake up and reveal itself- I fully expected a lovely bottle by the time we got to the tasting. Oh well...win some, lose some.
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With Jeroen and Isobel, brought this to DeLorenzo's Tomato Pies (a NJ classic). Last bottle from a batch purchsed from Garagiste circe 2009. Decanted and rebottled about 3 hours before drinking.
Notes from 2020: "Nose showing dark cherry, savory, vanilla oak, cedar. Aromas jumped out during the decant. Palate of dark fruits, blackberry, currant, baking spice. Perfumed secondary notes. Medium weight, smooth texture."
This showing had more pronounced blue and dark fruits, blueberry/blackberry and currants. Rich texture and good persistence through the mid palate. Considerably better after the decant - which would be consistent with Randy Dunn wines from Napa. Tight when first opened this was really showing after 3 hours.
Excellent wine and a great spot right now. Staying with Dunn tradition of long lived wines this will still go a while. Its outstanding now - no reason to wait IMO
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Garnet colored, medium bodied, dark blackberry, black currant and black cherry fruits with earthy leather, black tea, spices and toasted oak on a moderate tannin laced finish.
Opened last night for dinner with friends at the Biltmore. This bottle followed a 22 year old Bordeaux and the differences and similarities were striking! Color is dark red and the nose was inviting with light leather, flowers and baking spice. The mouth was filled with what seemed to be a youthful but complex Cabernet. I find most of the tasting notes below to be very accurate so I won't recapitulate. This wine is in a perfect spot and I don't think you should wait to drink it because it's so good right now in my opinion.
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very youthful, years to go, full on fruit, currants, berry, blackberry, well integrated tannins, much softer than Dunn Napa and Howell Mountain, but like them seems to be ageing glacially
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The last of my four, and drinking beautifully. Reminds me of a high quality Pessac-Leognan. Plum on the nose, and lots of cassis and trailing blackberry in the mouth with real minerality and a touch of herb on the finish. Purchased on release and stored in the cellar since. This has much time left.
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In my cellar from release, well stored bottles. Decanted for about 90 minutes, drank over 2 hours. Paired with some savory pulled pork.
Deep purple/garnet color, mild separation. Nose showing dark cherry, savory, vanilla oak. Aromas jumped out during the decant. Palate of dark fruits, blackberry, currant, baking spice. Perfumed secondary notes. Medium weight, smooth texture.
This might be in a perfect spot right now, although I have no comparison. I had let these bottles cellar for a while given experience with Dunn's Howell Mountain and Napa wines (I am a big fan). These are ready now, should go for a while if wanting to hold - but I don't think they improve much from here. If you have more than one, worth trying now. Great stuff
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This wine has been in my EuroCave for nearly 9 years and was fresh and vibrant when I opened it and poured it to accompany a nice steak. I noticed that Wine Spectator said drink by 2013. They couldn't have been more wrong. This wine will last for another 5 years easily, stored properly, but is 'singing right on pitch' right now! Outstanding!
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The nose identified the usual suspects of dark fruit, smoke box, saddle, spice and a hint of vanilla. The fruit has moved secondary on the palate, and now has over reliance on the acid structure.
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Drinking very well. I would say it’s in the prime drinking window. Decently expressive nose. Smokey and earthy with an undercurrent of black cherry and cedar. Round and nicely resolved tannins. Nice lingering finish that gains weight with time.
7-18-9-9
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Still drinking wonderfully, I think even a little better than before. Such great WA cab, so much black fruit, herb, and cassis with that distinctive angularity and spiciness that I associate with high quality wine here. The flavors are still primary, how good will this be in 15 years? Likely do not have the patience to find out. CT shows the value at $21, if you find this on the secondary market for that price - buy it!
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Good cork. PnP. Opaque and blackish in color. Blackberry, coffee and cocoa on the nose and soft tannins. Some brighter red fruit emerges after a few hours. Decant for that and to remove sediment.
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Delicious, pure, WA cabernet. Has some nice earthy, tobacco and leather notes to merge with the blackcurrant and cherry notes. Lovely acidity to cut through food (grilled ribeye - great match) with a long fine finish. Excellent wine and drinking very well.
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This wine really came into its own afeter several hours of air. Upon opening, it didn't seem to have the spine to support the age that the fruit would need to settle and evolve. After 3+ hours in the decanter, however, it matured and gained in structure and complexity. I think a few more years will add class and sophistication, but I wouldn't have realized this point had I not left it alone in a decanter for a while. The score reflects the decanted experience.
Upon opening - dark cherry, graphite, leather and a subtle note of cola on the nose. The palette follows the nose with a bit more of a lean towards the fruit. Very plush, round texture and the tannins have all but melted away and there is a hint of heat. The finish is quite long with pronounced cherry and vanilla. Not all that complex, but VERY good. We'll see how a couple hours in a decanter treate it... 7-17-9-8
After 3 hours in the decanter - some blackberry, tar and pipe tobacco have evolved to go along with the prior notes of black cherry and leather. Some grip had arrived as the tannins seemed to have awoken and the mid has gained some complexity as the graphite and leather have become more noticeable on the palette. It became fuller and much more serious. The finish gained in length and has also become a little dryer, thus lending some depth. 8-18-10-9
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I did not decant this bottle but it didn't really need it. the wine was enjoyable. But, I tasted just the slightest bit of the wet newspaper funk on it. I don't have many bottles left but I thin it is time to drink up.
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Very strange to me that a 2006 cab with name recognition would have completely mellowed out already. This bottling showed zero tannins / acids -- smoothed out to a degree usually seen after two decades. Light on the nose, but still a tasty drink otherwise. IF you're holding, I wouldn't wait but another 1-2 years tops.
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Amazing wine from Randy Dunn. Soft, polished tannins and great mouthfeel. Lots of excellent dark fruit with some chocolate. Very smooth and long finish.
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aroma - walnut, dried cherry, raisin, fig, forest floor; taste - cherry, initially tannic, but quickly fades, chewy, raisin, there's something dark green (seaweed?) and a little spice; very very good
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Definitely in it's drinking window, the tannins are nicely integrated and fruit really opens up over an hour of so of being open on the table. A very straightforward wine, it shows a bit Californian in that it isn't a burly as you might expect from WA Cab. All the typical quality markers are there and well integrated. Moderate oak, nice secondary notes on the nose and palate. Smooth. Unlike Dunn's California wines, this is very approachable. PDQ93+
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Did a taste comparison of a 2006 Long Shadows Feather (Randy Dunn consulting winemaker) and a 2006 Dunn Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. There was considerable difference with each showing off their region. The Feather was fun right out of the bottle with a lot of rich, ripe fruit. The Dunn tasted of the Napa earth and more reserved fruit. Both were very enjoyable. Over time I grew to like the Dunn a bit more.
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Opened and decanted for multiple hours. Great nose, still had some acid and tannins left, so could sit longer in the cellar and be possibly even better. Real nice nose, dark color, nice mouth feel with fruit, mostly cherries, leading the way, finish was a bit shorter than I would have expected, but good wine
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Had a little bit of promise but overall I had higher hopes, I was hoping with the cellaring it had that it would age more gracefully but actually I kind of agree with Chuck Miller - kind of boring.
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Finally, a wine from Randy Dunn that is ready to drink. The question is, however, "Why bother?". This is 100% cabernet, but if tasted blind, I would have guessed a merlot made to drink the day it was released. Cab might not have even been in my top 5 guesses. In a word, boring (and while I'm at it, bland).
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Drank with brisket on Easter. Dark purple with an almost black olive tint. At first the nose was a bit reticent. Cassis, blueberry and graphite. Medium palate of blackberry, blueberry, cassis, espresso, mocha, and minerals. Slightly herbal note. Excellent length. Vibrant acidity. Youthful tannins. Silky texture. I think this will age beautifully. One word: elegant.
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pnp on day 1, drank a couple glasses, let the rest slow ox over night and finished the bottle on day 2. the color was a muted, almost cloudy purple that looked a lot older than the wine's actual age. the nose was tight and shy, with a little graphite, bell pepper, and spicy cherry. the palate was thin and barely hinted at some red and black fruits, and the finish was short and boring. this never really improved over the couple hours we drank it on day 1.
day 2 was gorgeous. signature wa bright, vivid fruit flavors, with a dusting of mocha and cocoa powder to accompany the pure black cherry and redcurrant fruits. silky and elegant in the mouth, with focused black and red fruits. the finish was much longer than day 1, extremely delicious, and very youthful. tannins were not noticeable, and the wine was very well balanced.
i found myself thinking that while this was very delicious, i have yet to meet a wa cab that i felt drank better than a similarly well-made napa cab. it's a texture thing for me, with napa achieving a level of voluptuousness and opulence of flavor in bdx varietals that wa has yet to match for my palate.
if scoring, 90-92. drink now with a 4+ hour decant, or hold for another few years.
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Drinking very well right now - great mouthfeel with a smooth finish - this is not a super complex wine but a very enjoyable go to wine that will not dissapoint.
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50+5+13+17+7 Drank side-by-side with a Dunn Howell Mountain, remarkable difference. This was more fruit forward, brighter, juicy but not jammy. I'm not sure this wine will age as long as it claims to. It's drinking now or over the next five years.
Made by Randy Dunn, this wine consists 100% cabernet sauvignon selected from five vineyards and aged for 23 months in French oak. The nose is restrained, but fine. Lovely dark berry fruit, cracked black pepper and a touch of vanilla. The palate is full bodied and delicious. Luscious blackberry, pepper and fine grained tannins. Lovely acidity and great finish.
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Another nod to Washington.....just popped and poured. This will need some time to open up, but I like what I see so far. Nose of dark fruit, spice, vanilla, forest floor, with hints of floral peeking through. In the mouth this is very well integrated. Some tannins, sure, as expected on the pop and pour, but this is really balanced and smooth. Might be getting hints of chocolate on this, but it really needs time to open up, so all I really want to do hear is remove this from cellartracker and be on my merry way.
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Nose is nice but a little weak, and alcohol toward end. Smooth feel, rich cherry and spices. Long finish and dry but does lack complexity. Wonderful with chocolate
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Nice dark, almost purple colored wine. Still such a young tight wine. Nice dark fruits, vanilla and forest floor. This got better after more time in the glass.
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Recanted 1 hour. Great mouthfeel. Primary notes of black cherry, vanilla, plum, with secondary mint and cassis. I agree that it isn't as complex as other offerings from Long Shadows, but very fine, well integrated tannins and depth of fruit make this very enjoyable.
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DAY 1: Full bodied with firmly integrated tannins. Good mouth feel, soft on the palate. Primary notes of Cherry, cocoa and vanilla with secondary notes of plum and mint. Above notes are Day 1, the remainder stored with Preservino argon gas, will revisit tonight.
DAY 2: Decanted 1 hour, then recanted 1/2 overnight wiry Preservino argon. Great mouthfeel. Primary notes of black cherry, vanilla, plum, with secondary mint and cassis. I agree that it isn't as complex as other offerings from Long Shadows, but very fine, well integrated tannins and depth of fruit make this very enjoyable.
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Drinks like a $25 cab. To be honest, I got none of the balance or complexity that some of the other tasters did. Quality fruit, but the oak is not quite integrated, and it runs a little hot. Not loving the QPR here--pretty bummed I spent $50 for this.
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Lot of Vanilla, Cherry, red berries, very smooth and round. Velvety on the palate, sweet potato, cherries, Maraschino Cherries, a little alcohol in the nose but very good. After some air it gets distinct chestnut flavor. Great effort!
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The nose had creamy oak and blackberry, spice and leather, sweet cassis and coffee. The palate was soft, with blackberry and oak, spice ad earth, and a good coffee finish.
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Black opaque color. Even more so than the Pirouette. Which is hard to imagine. Dark tobacco and blue fruit on the nose. Very expression of WA state cabernet. Palate is supple and light on its feet. Also adds a cherry note to the wine. The Piroutette's fury tannins are kinda screwing with it a little bit. I like it, I like it quite a bit but hmm, the price is a bit high to me at $60.
This will be more interesting in a year or two would be my thought. Would really love to see how it evolves.
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Nice nose of violets, blueberry, cassis, and dark cherries. Tannins were a little rounder than previous offerings but the palate continued on the theme of cassis, dark berries and a little vanilla.
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1.5 Liter bottle Had at a dinner party. Great wine, a little over priced, but opens up well. Upon opening: very firm astringent tannins, after about an hour and a half the flavor profile is lengthened with a very nice vanilla character.
Was a wine dinner party, so no Elaborate notes taken.
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I'm a big Long Shadows fan, especially the Pedestal, Poet's Leap and Chester Kidder. But, I'm underwhelmed by the Feather - sweet, thin and oakey, I'm not sure I get the other ratings in the low 90's, especially given that this is a $50+ wine. At that price level, there are too many better alternatives / competitors. For me, this wine competes better in the $20 - $30 range.
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Wonderful mag of Cab. Smooth easy drinking, not big tannins, ready to go. Had at a large dinner party with about eight wine drinkers, seems the bottle just keep coming. I love mags. Glad I have some 750's of this also.
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Washington Wine Commision tasting (Rooftop Terrace, Millenium Park, Chicago IL): nose: wonderfully spiced nose presents a great backdrop along with tones of red and black currants, red and black cherries, loads of mixed berries, along with a touch of floral tones. Very well balanced, but seems to be holding back slightly at the moment
taste: full bodied with massive tannins and deep tones of spices red and black currants, black cherries, mixed berries, and some bits of florals poke through
overall: the tannins are holding this back a bit right now, but there is a serious wine that is waiting to come out, and when it does, watch out as the nose was really well in place, and the palate has a good amount of depth. This will need a good 5 or 6 years to begin its drinking window. This is relatively accessible for a randy dunn wine, but that is not to say that's really all that accessible at this time. This certainly has the stuffing that one would expect from Randy Dunn and it has all the class too
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Decanted for over an hour through a Vinturi aerator. This wine really opened up with hints of smoke, plum, and dark cherry. The finish lasted nearly 30 seconds. It is still a young wine that will be phenomenal in a few years.
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5/15/2024 - Acohen Likes this wine: 89 Points
Very dark and dry tannins with blackberry and tobacco
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3/15/2024 - AllRed wrote: 84 Points
Friday Group Brown Bag Tasting (R&R's): Blind. A good bit of bricking hints at an older wine. A bouillon cube aroma dominates the red fruit undertones. Flavors of dried herbs and ripe, plummy fruit on the palate. The bouillon note is a bit distracting. This bottle has not held up as well as we had hoped it might.
This had been double decanted two hours before the flight was poured and there was no hint that this would have shown the way it did- in fact it seemed it would have needed the air to wake up and reveal itself- I fully expected a lovely bottle by the time we got to the tasting. Oh well...win some, lose some.
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10/20/2023 - walkerjfw wrote: 94 Points
With Jeroen and Isobel, brought this to DeLorenzo's Tomato Pies (a NJ classic). Last bottle from a batch purchsed from Garagiste circe 2009. Decanted and rebottled about 3 hours before drinking.
Notes from 2020: "Nose showing dark cherry, savory, vanilla oak, cedar. Aromas jumped out during the decant. Palate of dark fruits, blackberry, currant, baking spice. Perfumed secondary notes. Medium weight, smooth texture."
This showing had more pronounced blue and dark fruits, blueberry/blackberry and currants. Rich texture and good persistence through the mid palate. Considerably better after the decant - which would be consistent with Randy Dunn wines from Napa. Tight when first opened this was really showing after 3 hours.
Excellent wine and a great spot right now. Staying with Dunn tradition of long lived wines this will still go a while. Its outstanding now - no reason to wait IMO
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1/26/2022 - mdrelsing wrote: 96 Points
1/22/2022 consumed, decanted for 2 hours. Had subtle flavor of Blackberry and plum. Well balanced, delicious!!!
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1/1/2022 - kinkevi wrote: 90 Points
Should not have waited this long, a few years past it’s prime.
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9/26/2021 - rmcnees wrote:
Garnet colored, medium bodied, dark blackberry, black currant and black cherry fruits with earthy leather, black tea, spices and toasted oak on a moderate tannin laced finish.
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2021/09/chateau-montelena-napa-cabernet-long.html
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9/4/2021 - mkparker wrote:
unk
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3/7/2021 - aerosol Likes this wine: 94 Points
Opened last night for dinner with friends at the Biltmore. This bottle followed a 22 year old Bordeaux and the differences and similarities were striking! Color is dark red and the nose was inviting with light leather, flowers and baking spice. The mouth was filled with what seemed to be a youthful but complex Cabernet. I find most of the tasting notes below to be very accurate so I won't recapitulate. This wine is in a perfect spot and I don't think you should wait to drink it because it's so good right now in my opinion.
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2/1/2021 - ShadowIII Likes this wine: 93 Points
very youthful, years to go, full on fruit, currants, berry, blackberry, well integrated tannins, much softer than Dunn Napa and Howell Mountain, but like them seems to be ageing glacially
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7/17/2020 - skifree wrote: 92 Points
The last of my four, and drinking beautifully. Reminds me of a high quality Pessac-Leognan. Plum on the nose, and lots of cassis and trailing blackberry in the mouth with real minerality and a touch of herb on the finish. Purchased on release and stored in the cellar since. This has much time left.
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4/17/2020 - walkerjfw wrote: 93 Points
In my cellar from release, well stored bottles. Decanted for about 90 minutes, drank over 2 hours. Paired with some savory pulled pork.
Deep purple/garnet color, mild separation. Nose showing dark cherry, savory, vanilla oak. Aromas jumped out during the decant. Palate of dark fruits, blackberry, currant, baking spice. Perfumed secondary notes. Medium weight, smooth texture.
This might be in a perfect spot right now, although I have no comparison. I had let these bottles cellar for a while given experience with Dunn's Howell Mountain and Napa wines (I am a big fan). These are ready now, should go for a while if wanting to hold - but I don't think they improve much from here. If you have more than one, worth trying now. Great stuff
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3/24/2020 - DStone Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine has been in my EuroCave for nearly 9 years and was fresh and vibrant when I opened it and poured it to accompany a nice steak. I noticed that Wine Spectator said drink by 2013. They couldn't have been more wrong. This wine will last for another 5 years easily, stored properly, but is 'singing right on pitch' right now! Outstanding!
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9/22/2019 - mlawren1 wrote: 92 Points
Smooth and velvety with plums and cherries. Drinking well.
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8/10/2019 - eszencia Likes this wine:
The nose identified the usual suspects of dark fruit, smoke box, saddle, spice and a hint of vanilla. The fruit has moved secondary on the palate, and now has over reliance on the acid structure.
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6/8/2019 - thebonnydooner wrote: 92 Points
Another excellent showing. Deep, dark and sweet fruit, complex currant and black plum fruit. Delicious.
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6/6/2019 - CO_Roots13 wrote: 93 Points
Drinking very well. I would say it’s in the prime drinking window. Decently expressive nose. Smokey and earthy with an undercurrent of black cherry and cedar. Round and nicely resolved tannins. Nice lingering finish that gains weight with time.
7-18-9-9
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4/30/2019 - Neecies Likes this wine: 94 Points
Took to J&A's. Sweet dark fruit and leather very much like the 04 Abeja but with more iron-rich minerality. A splendid showing.
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11/9/2018 - mlawren1 wrote: 93 Points
Fruits have gone a bit secondary, some currants and raspberries give way to cedar and leather.
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8/4/2018 - rfras wrote: 87 Points
The fruit is gone. I held this bottle too long. It is a mature cab with good nose, but no fruit and a bit of stringent finish.
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2/11/2018 - Tarpon222 wrote: 92 Points
Smooth as silk. Not much on the fruit but very enjoyable but mature vino
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11/18/2017 - toedocdawg wrote: 92 Points
Big nose. Free forward. Nice silky finish. Excellent
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9/26/2017 - dphilip Likes this wine:
Very nice
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7/21/2017 - mlawren1 wrote: 84 Points
Harsh and astringent. Fruit is gone.
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1/26/2017 - skifree wrote: 93 Points
Still drinking wonderfully, I think even a little better than before. Such great WA cab, so much black fruit, herb, and cassis with that distinctive angularity and spiciness that I associate with high quality wine here. The flavors are still primary, how good will this be in 15 years? Likely do not have the patience to find out. CT shows the value at $21, if you find this on the secondary market for that price - buy it!
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9/11/2016 - Neecies Likes this wine:
Good cork. PnP. Opaque and blackish in color. Blackberry, coffee and cocoa on the nose and soft tannins. Some brighter red fruit emerges after a few hours. Decant for that and to remove sediment.
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7/31/2016 - thebonnydooner wrote: 93 Points
Delicious, pure, WA cabernet. Has some nice earthy, tobacco and leather notes to merge with the blackcurrant and cherry notes. Lovely acidity to cut through food (grilled ribeye - great match) with a long fine finish. Excellent wine and drinking very well.
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1/15/2016 - DLVino Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious and drinking beautifully. Layers of polished fruit with a core of crushed blackberries. Nice finish.
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10/30/2015 - Yack Man wrote: 90 Points
Nice earthy nose, reddish-garnet color. Tart berries, mild oak notes, tannis with earthy elements. An okay to good wine.
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8/16/2015 - CO_Roots13 wrote: 95 Points
This wine really came into its own afeter several hours of air. Upon opening, it didn't seem to have the spine to support the age that the fruit would need to settle and evolve. After 3+ hours in the decanter, however, it matured and gained in structure and complexity. I think a few more years will add class and sophistication, but I wouldn't have realized this point had I not left it alone in a decanter for a while. The score reflects the decanted experience.
Upon opening - dark cherry, graphite, leather and a subtle note of cola on the nose. The palette follows the nose with a bit more of a lean towards the fruit. Very plush, round texture and the tannins have all but melted away and there is a hint of heat. The finish is quite long with pronounced cherry and vanilla. Not all that complex, but VERY good. We'll see how a couple hours in a decanter treate it...
7-17-9-8
After 3 hours in the decanter - some blackberry, tar and pipe tobacco have evolved to go along with the prior notes of black cherry and leather. Some grip had arrived as the tannins seemed to have awoken and the mid has gained some complexity as the graphite and leather have become more noticeable on the palette. It became fuller and much more serious. The finish gained in length and has also become a little dryer, thus lending some depth.
8-18-10-9
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7/17/2015 - skifree wrote: 92 Points
Another 10 year old, well-made Washington wine that is in its prime. Juicy dark fruits dominated, with a hint of menthol noticeable at first.
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12/21/2014 - mhewitt wrote: 88 Points
A well made wine but not exciting.
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6/7/2014 - phantphant wrote: 92 Points
VELVET!
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4/25/2014 - Redteeth wrote:
I did not decant this bottle but it didn't really need it. the wine was enjoyable. But, I tasted just the slightest bit of the wet newspaper funk on it. I don't have many bottles left but I thin it is time to drink up.
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4/4/2014 - fitchbuck wrote: 91 Points
Very strange to me that a 2006 cab with name recognition would have completely mellowed out already. This bottling showed zero tannins / acids -- smoothed out to a degree usually seen after two decades. Light on the nose, but still a tasty drink otherwise. IF you're holding, I wouldn't wait but another 1-2 years tops.
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3/5/2014 - Capt. Cork wrote: 93 Points
Amazing wine from Randy Dunn. Soft, polished tannins and great mouthfeel. Lots of excellent dark fruit with some chocolate. Very smooth and long finish.
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11/21/2013 - jimpem Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened up nice after an hour
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10/27/2013 - Brett and Megan Likes this wine: 92 Points
aroma - walnut, dried cherry, raisin, fig, forest floor; taste - cherry, initially tannic, but quickly fades, chewy, raisin, there's something dark green (seaweed?) and a little spice; very very good
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10/4/2013 - pdemaio wrote: 93 Points
Definitely in it's drinking window, the tannins are nicely integrated and fruit really opens up over an hour of so of being open on the table. A very straightforward wine, it shows a bit Californian in that it isn't a burly as you might expect from WA Cab. All the typical quality markers are there and well integrated. Moderate oak, nice secondary notes on the nose and palate. Smooth. Unlike Dunn's California wines, this is very approachable.
PDQ93+
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6/11/2013 - Redteeth wrote:
Did a taste comparison of a 2006 Long Shadows Feather (Randy Dunn consulting winemaker) and a 2006 Dunn Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. There was considerable difference with each showing off their region. The Feather was fun right out of the bottle with a lot of rich, ripe fruit. The Dunn tasted of the Napa earth and more reserved fruit. Both were very enjoyable. Over time I grew to like the Dunn a bit more.
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4/12/2013 - Acohen wrote: 91 Points
Big dark fruit with integrated tannins. Still lots of grip so plenty of life left in it
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3/30/2013 - jrglm Likes this wine: 93 Points
This was WOTN, hands down. Terrific nose, complex and layered. Really nice finish.
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3/23/2013 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 92 Points
consistent with notes of 5/17/2012
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12/30/2012 - Capt. Cork wrote: 91 Points
Smooth and round, with a roasted red pepper note weaving through the ripe currant, plum and spice flavors, lingering easily against polished tannins.
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12/26/2012 - W2WineGuy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Absolutely incredible and well integrated. Nice nose, cherry forward, no harsh alcohol burn, medium to long finish that coats your mouth, awesome.
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6/24/2012 - W2WineGuy Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opened and decanted for multiple hours. Great nose, still had some acid and tannins left, so could sit longer in the cellar and be possibly even better. Real nice nose, dark color, nice mouth feel with fruit, mostly cherries, leading the way, finish was a bit shorter than I would have expected, but good wine
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5/17/2012 - danielbleier wrote: 92 Points
Ripe plum and currant aromas. Smooth plum, currant and and tomatoflavors, with a slightly drying finish. Overall, a very smooth and enjoyable wine.
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4/28/2012 - Nbkat8 wrote: 90 Points
Had a little bit of promise but overall I had higher hopes, I was hoping with the cellaring it had that it would age more gracefully but actually I kind of agree with Chuck Miller - kind of boring.
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4/14/2012 - Chuck Miller wrote:
Finally, a wine from Randy Dunn that is ready to drink. The question is, however, "Why bother?". This is 100% cabernet, but if tasted blind, I would have guessed a merlot made to drink the day it was released. Cab might not have even been in my top 5 guesses. In a word, boring (and while I'm at it, bland).
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4/9/2012 - Wink wrote: 92 Points
Drank with brisket on Easter. Dark purple with an almost black olive tint. At first the nose was a bit reticent. Cassis, blueberry and graphite. Medium palate of blackberry, blueberry, cassis, espresso, mocha, and minerals. Slightly herbal note. Excellent length. Vibrant acidity. Youthful tannins. Silky texture. I think this will age beautifully. One word: elegant.
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1/16/2012 - dross811 wrote: 92 Points
Good cabernet with a very smooth finish.
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1/15/2012 - fdizzy wrote: 82 Points
very mild for a cab. was looking forward to fruit and oak but disappointed on both counts.
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12/20/2011 - caeleric Likes this wine:
pnp on day 1, drank a couple glasses, let the rest slow ox over night and finished the bottle on day 2. the color was a muted, almost cloudy purple that looked a lot older than the wine's actual age. the nose was tight and shy, with a little graphite, bell pepper, and spicy cherry. the palate was thin and barely hinted at some red and black fruits, and the finish was short and boring. this never really improved over the couple hours we drank it on day 1.
day 2 was gorgeous. signature wa bright, vivid fruit flavors, with a dusting of mocha and cocoa powder to accompany the pure black cherry and redcurrant fruits. silky and elegant in the mouth, with focused black and red fruits. the finish was much longer than day 1, extremely delicious, and very youthful. tannins were not noticeable, and the wine was very well balanced.
i found myself thinking that while this was very delicious, i have yet to meet a wa cab that i felt drank better than a similarly well-made napa cab. it's a texture thing for me, with napa achieving a level of voluptuousness and opulence of flavor in bdx varietals that wa has yet to match for my palate.
if scoring, 90-92. drink now with a 4+ hour decant, or hold for another few years.
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12/9/2011 - fdizzy Does not like this wine:
a weak weak excuse for a cab.
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11/5/2011 - Nbkat8 wrote: 91 Points
Drinking very well right now - great mouthfeel with a smooth finish - this is not a super complex wine but a very enjoyable go to wine that will not dissapoint.
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10/7/2011 - Msquared wrote:
lighter than expected, weak nose, fruit notes initally gave way to alcohol finish. Decent with food, but overpowered by a burger - very surprising.
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9/4/2011 - PlanetX wrote: 90 Points
Reticent but lovely nose. Inital noticeable oak dissipated on the second day. Tasty medium weight blueberry and vanilla notes.
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9/2/2011 - annerk wrote: 92 Points
50+5+13+17+7 Drank side-by-side with a Dunn Howell Mountain, remarkable difference. This was more fruit forward, brighter, juicy but not jammy. I'm not sure this wine will age as long as it claims to. It's drinking now or over the next five years.
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7/3/2011 - jamieirving wrote: 93 Points
Made by Randy Dunn, this wine consists 100% cabernet sauvignon selected from five vineyards and aged for 23 months in French oak. The nose is restrained, but fine. Lovely dark berry fruit, cracked black pepper and a touch of vanilla. The palate is full bodied and delicious. Luscious blackberry, pepper and fine grained tannins. Lovely acidity and great finish.
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6/3/2011 - Jazzman wrote:
Another nod to Washington.....just popped and poured. This will need some time to open up, but I like what I see so far. Nose of dark fruit, spice, vanilla, forest floor, with hints of floral peeking through. In the mouth this is very well integrated. Some tannins, sure, as expected on the pop and pour, but this is really balanced and smooth. Might be getting hints of chocolate on this, but it really needs time to open up, so all I really want to do hear is remove this from cellartracker and be on my merry way.
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5/19/2011 - Bb87 wrote: 90 Points
Nose is nice but a little weak, and alcohol toward end. Smooth feel, rich cherry and spices. Long finish and dry but does lack complexity. Wonderful with chocolate
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4/24/2011 - IWineAlot wrote: 92 Points
Nice dark, almost purple colored wine. Still such a young tight wine. Nice dark fruits, vanilla and forest floor. This got better after more time in the glass.
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11/29/2010 - bobheddle wrote: 90 Points
A smooth well-rounded taste, but not as complex as I would have expected. Good but undistinguished.
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11/28/2010 - rkelly wrote:
Drank after Marathon
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11/9/2010 - GoodToGrape wrote: 91 Points
Recanted 1 hour. Great mouthfeel. Primary notes of black cherry, vanilla, plum, with secondary mint and cassis. I agree that it isn't as complex as other offerings from Long Shadows, but very fine, well integrated tannins and depth of fruit make this very enjoyable.
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11/5/2010 - GoodToGrape wrote: 91 Points
DAY 1: Full bodied with firmly integrated tannins. Good mouth feel, soft on the palate. Primary notes of Cherry, cocoa and vanilla with secondary notes of plum and mint. Above notes are Day 1, the remainder stored with Preservino argon gas, will revisit tonight.
DAY 2: Decanted 1 hour, then recanted 1/2 overnight wiry Preservino argon. Great mouthfeel. Primary notes of black cherry, vanilla, plum, with secondary mint and cassis. I agree that it isn't as complex as other offerings from Long Shadows, but very fine, well integrated tannins and depth of fruit make this very enjoyable.
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11/1/2010 - McBenalds wrote: 90 Points
Rich and oaky but a bit lacking in terms of complexity.
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10/22/2010 - rockguit wrote: 88 Points
Drinks like a $25 cab. To be honest, I got none of the balance or complexity that some of the other tasters did. Quality fruit, but the oak is not quite integrated, and it runs a little hot. Not loving the QPR here--pretty bummed I spent $50 for this.
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10/15/2010 - G_H wrote: 91 Points
Lot of Vanilla, Cherry, red berries, very smooth and round. Velvety on the palate, sweet potato, cherries, Maraschino Cherries, a little alcohol in the nose but very good. After some air it gets distinct chestnut flavor. Great effort!
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9/11/2010 - mmurry Likes this wine: 92 Points
The nose had creamy oak and blackberry, spice and leather, sweet cassis and coffee. The palate was soft, with blackberry and oak, spice ad earth, and a good coffee finish.
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9/4/2010 - skifree wrote: 92 Points
Dark color. Cassis, cedar, tobacco, a distinct touch of menthol. Same notes over two nights. Long finish. Tasted young.
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6/24/2010 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
So this is Dunn.
Black opaque color. Even more so than the Pirouette. Which is hard to imagine. Dark tobacco and blue fruit on the nose. Very expression of WA state cabernet. Palate is supple and light on its feet. Also adds a cherry note to the wine. The Piroutette's fury tannins are kinda screwing with it a little bit. I like it, I like it quite a bit but hmm, the price is a bit high to me at $60.
This will be more interesting in a year or two would be my thought. Would really love to see how it evolves.
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5/29/2010 - pierrebiere wrote: 91 Points
Wonderful, musty nose that blossomed as it it opened. Fruit forward, dark berries, cherry. Long finish. Best opened an hour before drinking.
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4/2/2010 - mulder wrote: 91 Points
Nice nose of violets, blueberry, cassis, and dark cherries. Tannins were a little rounder than previous offerings but the palate continued on the theme of cassis, dark berries and a little vanilla.
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3/31/2010 - TJolley Likes this wine: 90 Points
1.5 Liter bottle
Had at a dinner party.
Great wine, a little over priced, but opens up well.
Upon opening: very firm astringent tannins, after about an hour and a half the flavor profile is lengthened with a very nice vanilla character.
Was a wine dinner party, so no Elaborate notes taken.
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3/26/2010 - rjhilgers@gmail.com wrote: 87 Points
I'm a big Long Shadows fan, especially the Pedestal, Poet's Leap and Chester Kidder. But, I'm underwhelmed by the Feather - sweet, thin and oakey, I'm not sure I get the other ratings in the low 90's, especially given that this is a $50+ wine. At that price level, there are too many better alternatives / competitors. For me, this wine competes better in the $20 - $30 range.
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10/10/2009 - duck833 wrote: 93 Points
Wonderful mag of Cab. Smooth easy drinking, not big tannins, ready to go. Had at a large dinner party with about eight wine drinkers, seems the bottle just keep coming. I love mags. Glad I have some 750's of this also.
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9/14/2009 - KeithAkers wrote: 93 Points
Washington Wine Commision tasting (Rooftop Terrace, Millenium Park, Chicago IL): nose: wonderfully spiced nose presents a great backdrop along with tones of red and black currants, red and black cherries, loads of mixed berries, along with a touch of floral tones. Very well balanced, but seems to be holding back slightly at the moment
taste: full bodied with massive tannins and deep tones of spices red and black currants, black cherries, mixed berries, and some bits of florals poke through
overall: the tannins are holding this back a bit right now, but there is a serious wine that is waiting to come out, and when it does, watch out as the nose was really well in place, and the palate has a good amount of depth. This will need a good 5 or 6 years to begin its drinking window. This is relatively accessible for a randy dunn wine, but that is not to say that's really all that accessible at this time. This certainly has the stuffing that one would expect from Randy Dunn and it has all the class too
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5/1/2009 - BJW wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for over an hour through a Vinturi aerator. This wine really opened up with hints of smoke, plum, and dark cherry. The finish lasted nearly 30 seconds. It is still a young wine that will be phenomenal in a few years.
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