Agree with others that there seems to be bottle variation. Earlier bottle was excellent but this bottle was overly sweet with port-like favors. Not unpleasant but not expected. Balance also a bit off. 87
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I really rate it 90.5. Burgundy states , you can tell more plot differentiation, in off years. Unfortunately , we don't know where these grapes were sourced, but for an "off" vintage , I have enjoyed this bargain Napa cab every time I open one , and more so , now. 24 bucks. Great value!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine is still fresh and clean and vibrant. Great with grilled ribeye. Not as oakey as previous bottles. Fruit remains primary and lush with smokey finishing notes.
Decanted for over an hour. Opened up well on the nose and palate. Deep/opaque purple. Hints of creme de casis, cedar, oak and cigar box with a lingering and not quite so smooth finish. Solid QPR.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A little tight after a one hour decant. Requires a lot of air. The nose had some muted fruit with other intangibles. Deep purple/violet color with loose transparent crimson edge. Very fruit forward, medium to full bodied with a lot of oak in the middle and on the finish. The finish is long and persistent. Paired well with grilled lamb chops.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Beautiful, classy cabernet. Opened nicely right out of the bottle, very slight improvement on day 2. Smoke, leather and a trace of heat on the nose, blackberry, hint of vanilla/oak in the mouth. Very nice finish. Great wine. No idea what "retail" is for this, but at $19.99 on WTSO for such a classy cabernet, this is a real bargain.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Please see multiple previous notes. This bottle may have been just a little tighter than the previous few, but still just excellent! It has become my go to wine for special company, though only 3 more left at this point. 91-92 pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Peaked and drinking well. Nice garnet but thinning color. Some good fruit on the nose, much drier on the tongue with no complaints. Well integrated but still grippy tannins make for a nice QPR with the WTSO verticals. Have had several of these of varying years tending to be a bit more on the fruit forward side (yet not quite paso robles-style), and sadly one was corked but unsure of what year that one was. All in all good $20 bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Only got an hour or so of air, but was delightful all the same. Deep ruby with amber hues in the glass. Nose of chocolate covered cherries, forest floor and lingering perfumed wood and spice. Palate is thick layering in herbal notes. The mouth fills with satin and velvet. Elegant and unassuming tannin provide an undertone to dark fruit and tangy molasses notes. Finishes with more spices mixed with creamy black fruits. PJG: 90-91
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
The nose is fruit bomb, then it opens into complex layers on the palate with leather and sandalwood and smoke, and a finish that goes on forever. So good! Sorry it's the last one of the vintage, but I have some 2004s to look forward to. [No sooner had I uploaded this than WTSO posted a deal on 2003/2004 Sempre Vive, 2 of each for $80. Yes!]
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had 6 wines at this tasting with 5 or 6 people. This was the clear favorite. A broad range of palates, from novices to a collector, liked this best. 92+ points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured. Dark purplish red with legs. Amazing bouquet with fruit, spice, leather and smoke. Palate is blackberry and cassis, perfumed with spice and oak, soft tannins, long finish. It's really singing right now, lots of charm, no restraint, pure pleasure, essence of Napa cab. Better on the first day than the second or third, so drink it up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Took a bit to open and was a little musty on opening, surprisingly, but this cleared to clean black cherry and a touch of cedar and leather. Perhaps this one was less complex than some other reviewers have suggested, but there's a sense of briar and stems in this that's not unpleasant and the tannins are chewy and there's a decent tart acidity. Medium long finish. I would not hold this more than another year or two.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A little more fruit forward than the 2002. I liked it just as much. Probably could have used a little more time to open. It had about a half hour while we finished another bottle, but the second glass was better than the first. Great QPR.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Brought this to a meetup with a group of wine enthusiasts and those that had it LOVED it! For my palate, it blew everything else away. Please see previous notes. 92-93 pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
So well balanced & delicious. Great structure, & a nice long finish. For more details please see note from 11/3/12. What a steal from invino, $20! Six more ordered in late may, think they may have sold out of it for good this time. Blows many $40-$60 wines away. 92-93 pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Impressive effort considering that it was from a less highly regarded vintage. Time has rewarded the well crafted balance and lingering finish. Can't wait to try the others!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking really well right now with notes of cherry, mint and vanilla. With a supple mouthfeel and just a little spicy note at the back end of a long finish, this is a good buy. Just grabbed three more, actually!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Blind tasted. A beautiful nose of cherry, some smoke / smoked meat, leather, eucalyptus/menthol On the palate: Bing cherry, a little menthol, some smokiness. Some complexity here, a wonderful mouthfeel, & it's just silky smooth with a fairly long finish. Thrilled to have 2 more, and have a friend that has 3 more! 92 pts.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
1/6/2019 - jhighs1234 Likes this wine:
The wine looks crimson colored. The legs are medium. There is moderate sediment in the bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/29/2016 - Humblewineguy wrote: 88 Points
Possibly past its prime. Assuming it had one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/6/2015 - elevwine Likes this wine: 89 Points
375ml bottling is fading. Past its peak but still enjoyable, just not for much longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/25/2015 - ICaWineGuy wrote: 92 Points
Really loving the smooth structure and refined mouthfeel
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/16/2015 - elevwine Likes this wine: 90 Points
Half bottle still holding up well especially for the price. Soft tannins, almost jammy now but still enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/5/2015 - Bodyfxr wrote: 87 Points
Not a good bottle. Last of my batch. Reminds me of Lady Gaga...a little hot and funky....Sharon says she picks up a hit of feet...and I concur.__
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/10/2015 - sdonahue Likes this wine: 90 Points
not as good as i remember an earlier one
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/5/2015 - Bodyfxr wrote: 89 Points
See previous notes
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/7/2015 - elevwine wrote: 87 Points
Agree with others that there seems to be bottle variation. Earlier bottle was excellent but this bottle was overly sweet with port-like favors. Not unpleasant but not expected. Balance also a bit off. 87
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/1/2015 - emmcrod wrote: 91 Points
A bot of anise, great body and balance. No hint of port. Excellent. Must have a great bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/25/2015 - Bodyfxr wrote: 89 Points
This was a very oakey bottle. Experiencin significant bottle variation with this lot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/3/2014 - wirelesswine wrote:
From 375. Oddly sweet and port-like. Tasty but not what I expected.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/13/2014 - Bodyfxr wrote: 90 Points
See previous notes
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/8/2014 - NickTrainer wrote:
Nice one
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/20/2014 - FarmerKeith LA/VA Likes this wine: 90 Points
I really rate it 90.5. Burgundy states , you can tell more plot differentiation, in off years. Unfortunately , we don't know where these grapes were sourced, but for an "off" vintage , I have enjoyed this bargain Napa cab every time I open one , and more so , now. 24 bucks. Great value!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/19/2014 - Bodyfxr wrote: 91 Points
This wine is still fresh and clean and vibrant. Great with grilled ribeye. Not as oakey as previous bottles. Fruit remains primary and lush with smokey finishing notes.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
10/8/2014 - Bodyfxr wrote: 92 Points
See previous notes
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/8/2014 - Bodyfxr wrote: 89 Points
See previous notes
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/24/2014 - ICaWineGuy wrote: 92 Points
This bottle was back to the deliciousness I had first.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/24/2014 - Bodyfxr wrote: 90 Points
See previous notes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/24/2014 - Bodyfxr wrote: 90 Points
See previous drinking notes. Solid Napa cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/24/2014 - Bodyfxr wrote: flawed
This was an off bottle. Slightly corked.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/17/2014 - Bodyfxr wrote: 90 Points
Decanted for over an hour. Opened up well on the nose and palate. Deep/opaque purple. Hints of creme de casis, cedar, oak and cigar box with a lingering and not quite so smooth finish. Solid QPR.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/8/2014 - Bodyfxr wrote: 91 Points
A little tight after a one hour decant. Requires a lot of air. The nose had some muted fruit with other intangibles. Deep purple/violet color with loose transparent crimson edge. Very fruit forward, medium to full bodied with a lot of oak in the middle and on the finish. The finish is long and persistent. Paired well with grilled lamb chops.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/31/2014 - MadisonWIneGuy wrote: 90 Points
90-91 pts. Think this peaked about a yar ago, and is now on the slight decline. Still mighty fine. See many previous notes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/18/2014 - fredfromny wrote: 92 Points
blueberry cassis tobacco vanilla nice wood integration ready to drink.
Nice finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/11/2014 - MadisonWIneGuy wrote:
Consistent with all previous notes. A steal.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/25/2014 - csimmons wrote: 92 Points
This is my favorite of the 2002-2007 vertical.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/25/2014 - FlyPig Likes this wine: 91 Points
Beautiful, classy cabernet. Opened nicely right out of the bottle, very slight improvement on day 2. Smoke, leather and a trace of heat on the nose, blackberry, hint of vanilla/oak in the mouth. Very nice finish. Great wine. No idea what "retail" is for this, but at $19.99 on WTSO for such a classy cabernet, this is a real bargain.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/15/2014 - ICaWineGuy wrote: 89 Points
This bottle was a bit past its prime. Drink up!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/31/2014 - ICaWineGuy wrote: 92 Points
Still tasting amazing. I love the muted fruit coupled with the soft tannins, smokiness and spicy finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/30/2013 - MadisonWIneGuy wrote: 91 Points
Please see multiple previous notes. This bottle may have been just a little tighter than the previous few, but still just excellent! It has become my go to wine for special company, though only 3 more left at this point. 91-92 pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/29/2013 - Myrtle Likes this wine: 90 Points
Peaked and drinking well. Nice garnet but thinning color. Some good fruit on the nose, much drier on the tongue with no complaints. Well integrated but still grippy tannins make for a nice QPR with the WTSO verticals. Have had several of these of varying years tending to be a bit more on the fruit forward side (yet not quite paso robles-style), and sadly one was corked but unsure of what year that one was. All in all good $20 bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2013 - noahbw Likes this wine: 91 Points
Only got an hour or so of air, but was delightful all the same. Deep ruby with amber hues in the glass. Nose of chocolate covered cherries, forest floor and lingering perfumed wood and spice. Palate is thick layering in herbal notes. The mouth fills with satin and velvet. Elegant and unassuming tannin provide an undertone to dark fruit and tangy molasses notes. Finishes with more spices mixed with creamy black fruits. PJG: 90-91
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2013 - mazik Likes this wine: 92 Points
The nose is fruit bomb, then it opens into complex layers on the palate with leather and sandalwood and smoke, and a finish that goes on forever. So good! Sorry it's the last one of the vintage, but I have some 2004s to look forward to.
[No sooner had I uploaded this than WTSO posted a deal on 2003/2004 Sempre Vive, 2 of each for $80. Yes!]
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/22/2013 - MadisonWIneGuy wrote: 92 Points
Had 6 wines at this tasting with 5 or 6 people. This was the clear favorite. A broad range of palates, from novices to a collector, liked this best. 92+ points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/7/2013 - mazik Likes this wine: 92 Points
Popped and poured. Dark purplish red with legs. Amazing bouquet with fruit, spice, leather and smoke. Palate is blackberry and cassis, perfumed with spice and oak, soft tannins, long finish. It's really singing right now, lots of charm, no restraint, pure pleasure, essence of Napa cab. Better on the first day than the second or third, so drink it up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/21/2013 - ICaWineGuy wrote: 91 Points
This has got a great juicy deliciousness with just a hint of spice. Still drinking really well
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/28/2013 - doctornoah wrote: 90 Points
Took a bit to open and was a little musty on opening, surprisingly, but this cleared to clean black cherry and a touch of cedar and leather. Perhaps this one was less complex than some other reviewers have suggested, but there's a sense of briar and stems in this that's not unpleasant and the tannins are chewy and there's a decent tart acidity. Medium long finish. I would not hold this more than another year or two.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/16/2013 - csimmons Likes this wine: 92 Points
A little more fruit forward than the 2002. I liked it just as much. Probably could have used a little more time to open. It had about a half hour while we finished another bottle, but the second glass was better than the first. Great QPR.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/17/2013 - MadisonWIneGuy wrote: 92 Points
Brought this to a meetup with a group of wine enthusiasts and those that had it LOVED it! For my palate, it blew everything else away. Please see previous notes. 92-93 pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/15/2013 - ddgd Likes this wine: 89 Points
Even for a 2003 it took awhile to open up. Medium nose and legs, medium to medium + body. Enjoyable but a tad overpriced to quality.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/4/2013 - MadisonWIneGuy wrote: 92 Points
So well balanced & delicious. Great structure, & a nice long finish. For more details please see note from 11/3/12. What a steal from invino, $20! Six more ordered in late may, think they may have sold out of it for good this time. Blows many $40-$60 wines away. 92-93 pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/10/2013 - fredfromny wrote: 93 Points
Impressive effort considering that it was from a less highly regarded vintage. Time has rewarded the well crafted balance and lingering finish. Can't wait to try the others!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/6/2013 - MadisonWIneGuy wrote: 91 Points
Please see previous notes (11/3/12). Still drinking excellently, and happy to have another 3 on the way. 90-91 pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/2/2013 - ICaWineGuy wrote: 91 Points
Drinking really well right now with notes of cherry, mint and vanilla. With a supple mouthfeel and just a little spicy note at the back end of a long finish, this is a good buy. Just grabbed three more, actually!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/17/2012 - MadisonWIneGuy wrote: 92 Points
Please refer to recent 11/3/12 note. Wonderful. 92 pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2012 - MadisonWIneGuy wrote: 92 Points
Blind tasted. A beautiful nose of cherry, some smoke / smoked meat, leather, eucalyptus/menthol
On the palate: Bing cherry, a little menthol, some smokiness. Some complexity here, a wonderful mouthfeel, & it's just silky smooth with a fairly long finish. Thrilled to have 2 more, and have a friend that has 3 more! 92 pts.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/27/2012 - apspr wrote: 91 Points
Again, lovely wine, though surprisingly few characteristics of bottle aging after 9 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/28/2012 - apspr wrote: 92 Points
Wonderful lush oak and dark red fruit -- great with steak or by itself!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/2/2011 - ckilpatrick wrote: 91 Points
smooth, elegant & gooooood.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment