This is drinking well now with sweet tannin, dark fruits and spice. A bit on the acidic side and a bit of alcohol on the finish. A bit disappointed for a wine at this price point. I actually prefer the regular bottling. This wine improved significantly after a couple of hours. Initially a 91 evolving to a 94.
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Excellent balance with deep black and blue fruit. Still show fairly significant chalky tannin. IMHO, were going to drink these over the next few years as we're a bit spooky on the huge, 16.2% alcohol, but it could last a good bit longer. I loved this at release and bought a chunk of it. It's pretty beautiful right now.
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Splash decant, hour of air. Somewhat shy. Beautiful looking, smooth mature texture not showing any grainy chewy qualities. Was hoping for a bigger, more massive cab, but still a very solid number. Fatted calf ny strips
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No formal notes. Decanted for about half an hour & rebottled. Consumed after dinner about four hours later. Nice mix of red and dark fruit, still has some tannins to integrate. Hints of spice and vanilla; seemed to shut down a bit in the glass, developing a slight austerity on the palate. Still pretty large-scaled and youthful. I plan to give our last bottle a couple more years.
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Another of the bottles Randy opened tonight. Inky color, opaque almost to the edge. Surprisingly open, with notes of blackberry, black currants, violets and cedar, with a nice spicy undertone. Tannins have integrated nicely, with flavors of cassis, blackberry, dust, and chocolate. Finishes well.
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Opened not decanted. This is almost a pop and pour. I have a tendency to not plan ahead except when we have guests over. I pulled this as I thought it would be approachable to pair with a steak while my wife is at book club.
Dark saturated purple in color with a bit of clarity at the edge of the glass. On the palate: an initial attack of citrus, spice, chocolate, and some mustiness. As it progresses through time: black fruit and dark grape notes with a little backwash of alcohol; ends with a dried fruit and a drying citrus finish. Good right now. Paired with a sirloin steak and pan fried Brussels spouts.
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Neal Tasting (Scott): Smells of fresh blackcurrant. Black cherry, blueberry, earth, chocolate, prune and charred oak on the palate. Soft finish with good length but with a little heat on the end. 14.2% alcohol.
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Neal Family SVD (My House): Day 1 - Decanted for 4 hrs. Served with buffalo meatloaf, roasted garlic mashed potatoes and organic green beans. Full bodied and mouthcoating wine with ripe blueberry fruit. The wine was quite approachable but a touch too sweet & lacked complexity. Flabby & rather one dimensional due to the ripeness. On the positive side the 16+% alcohol is hidden quite well. Absolutely no heat on the finish. Day 3 - This shed a lot of the ripeness and actually fleshed-out. This wine has made a 180. Good texture and really improved with a little air. Lush & fresh but not overdone. Incredible blue & purple fruit profile with sweet tannin. This was my MIP (most improved player) I would describe this as liquid love....instant pleasure. 50+5+14+17+7=93 Note - these wines need air. Make sure to serve at the correct temp 60 - 64 degs otherwise they will not show well.
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This wine comes in a very heavy, beautiful bottle, but it's what's inside that matters. Subdued nose of black fruit and spice. In the mouth this was medium to full bodied and tight. Tannins have a dusty quality to them. Overall a nice wine, but not spectacular. I am becoming a lot more demanding.
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Deep dark fruit but very much in the style of the regular Napa bottling. Doesnt show much development but is really pretty accessable. I was under the impression that the Wykoff was the fruit bomb of the bunch but didnt really find that to be the case. Good steak wine.
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The Blind Drunks monthly tasting (Rich & Dana's): One of our contributions to the December Blind Drunks tasting, served double blind to the group after having been decanted for about 5 hours. Inky color, almost comletely opaque all the way through. Faint tobacco notes mix with aromas of cassis and deep dark fruit. Sweet, tangy tannins on the palate, with flavors of cassis, vanilla and oak. Nicely balanced though. We took the remnants home and three days later this was at its best. Very plush, rich and velvety, and it picked up some coffee and chocolate tones. Lots of potential here.
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my first Neal SVD incredible nose. opaque in the glass. opened at 7pm, consumed over 4 hours. nose of chocolate brownie with a blueberry tart nearby. just jumping out of the decanter. the sips at this point were thick and filled with big dark fruit and chocolate, blueberries and a little confectioners sugar...
after about 45 minutes the blueberry and overt chocolate died down a bit and it became more complex which continued throughout the evening. my wife pegged some olive notes about this time. The chocolate became mocha with some tobacco/cigar box and the blueberry was relegated to the end of the finish. the tannins were soft big and round, then they got roughed up a bit, then became softer again as the night wore on, still very present at the end. (sometimes tannins seem to me to unfold like a little pearl of tea as it steeps). Very full on the nose and palate all night. solid and strong from attack to finish. the "presence", depth and complexity seemed to be what a little cousin of a HSS might be like (I have only had the '96). 93 - 94
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An incredible very young calif. cab. Even with several hours of decanting this huge wine was still tasting very young. Should be an incredible bottle of wine in several years. Just wish I hadn't drank my only bottle so young.
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Incredible deep color. Wonderful nose of black fruit and crushed berries. Did not decant but ran through an aerating funnel when poring into glasses. This is a huge wine with layers of flavor, blackcherry, tar and mocha. This was very smooth considering the alchohol content of 16%+. Delicious now but I believe this will develop into a wonderful wine over time.
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Purchased from the winery for $66. Decanted for 2 hours. Dark purple color. Highly extracted aromas and flavors. Blueberries, brown sugar, Asian spices, and blackberries. My favorite element was the velvety mouthfeel, which coated the tongue like satin sheets. Lots of sweet oak on the finish. Tannins are soft but substantial. I enjoyed this wine's unabashed hedonism. Worth opening one now if you're looking for a rollercoaster ride.
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I took this bottle to Paris for an extended stay so I let it sit for a couple of weeks then decanted for 3-4 hours and wow this was big and mouth coating with waves of flavor!
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The Best for The Best 2005 (Chicago NW Suburbs): Huge, huge wine. Decanted a couple of hours before drinking. I was blown away by the fruit concentration and power washing over my palate in waves. Deep sweet flavors of cassis, plum, blueberries and black cherry. Plenty of structure underneath, but not getting in the way of the fruit or drying out the mouth. A lengthy finish capped off a great experience. Everything I look for in a cab. My WOTN.
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6/18/2022 - psoals Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really stunning for being almost 20. No real signs of Breckinridge, tannins has softened beautifully, but still present.
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8/27/2014 - thelostverse wrote: 93 Points
Drinking very well. Surprising Bordeaux profile with cedar, leather and minimal dark fruits. Holding well.
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5/10/2013 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 94 Points
This is drinking well now with sweet tannin, dark fruits and spice. A bit on the acidic side and a bit of alcohol on the finish. A bit disappointed for a wine at this price point. I actually prefer the regular bottling. This wine improved significantly after a couple of hours. Initially a 91 evolving to a 94.
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1/6/2013 - stealthman_1 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent balance with deep black and blue fruit. Still show fairly significant chalky tannin. IMHO, were going to drink these over the next few years as we're a bit spooky on the huge, 16.2% alcohol, but it could last a good bit longer. I loved this at release and bought a chunk of it. It's pretty beautiful right now.
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6/25/2012 - NotNYC wrote: 90 Points
Splash decant, hour of air. Somewhat shy.
Beautiful looking, smooth mature texture not showing any grainy chewy qualities.
Was hoping for a bigger, more massive cab, but still a very solid number.
Fatted calf ny strips
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4/20/2012 - AllRed wrote: 91 Points
No formal notes. Decanted for about half an hour & rebottled. Consumed after dinner about four hours later. Nice mix of red and dark fruit, still has some tannins to integrate. Hints of spice and vanilla; seemed to shut down a bit in the glass, developing a slight austerity on the palate. Still pretty large-scaled and youthful. I plan to give our last bottle a couple more years.
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4/4/2012 - brianofthevine wrote: 91 Points
Same as before.
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12/18/2011 - jhngo wrote: 94 Points
Big round soft velvety fruit smooth finish very good wine.
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1/12/2011 - brianofthevine wrote: 92 Points
Black cherry, blackberry with chocolate and mocha notes. Nice long finish with smooth tannins.
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1/8/2011 - soyhead wrote: 92 Points
full bodied and rich, still with considerable tannins. This is a great cab with some ways to go still.
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5/9/2010 - olm2000 wrote: 94 Points
generally my favorite Neal SVD...the mountain vineyards can be too tannic at times for me...another great showing
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2/13/2010 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
Another of the bottles Randy opened tonight. Inky color, opaque almost to the edge. Surprisingly open, with notes of blackberry, black currants, violets and cedar, with a nice spicy undertone. Tannins have integrated nicely, with flavors of cassis, blackberry, dust, and chocolate. Finishes well.
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1/11/2010 - tanglenet wrote:
Opened not decanted. This is almost a pop and pour. I have a tendency to not plan ahead except when we have guests over. I pulled this as I thought it would be approachable to pair with a steak while my wife is at book club.
Dark saturated purple in color with a bit of clarity at the edge of the glass. On the palate: an initial attack of citrus, spice, chocolate, and some mustiness. As it progresses through time: black fruit and dark grape notes with a little backwash of alcohol; ends with a dried fruit and a drying citrus finish. Good right now. Paired with a sirloin steak and pan fried Brussels spouts.
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9/23/2008 - jivey wrote:
Blue fruits, currents, prune, well intagrated tannins with hint of chocolate.
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9/23/2008 - jeff nowak wrote: 87 Points
decanted. sweet tannin, with a high octane chocolate note. yet, it was very vegetal, and out of whack with the horizontal.
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9/23/2008 - kstoddard wrote: 88 Points
Neal Tasting (Scott): Smells of fresh blackcurrant. Black cherry, blueberry, earth, chocolate, prune and charred oak on the palate. Soft finish with good length but with a little heat on the end. 14.2% alcohol.
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9/23/2008 - ScottS wrote: 93 Points
Neal Family SVD (My House): Day 1 - Decanted for 4 hrs. Served with buffalo meatloaf, roasted garlic mashed potatoes and organic green beans. Full bodied and mouthcoating wine with ripe blueberry fruit. The wine was quite approachable but a touch too sweet & lacked complexity. Flabby & rather one dimensional due to the ripeness. On the positive side the 16+% alcohol is hidden quite well. Absolutely no heat on the finish.
Day 3 - This shed a lot of the ripeness and actually fleshed-out. This wine has made a 180. Good texture and really improved with a little air. Lush & fresh but not overdone. Incredible blue & purple fruit profile with sweet tannin. This was my MIP (most improved player) I would describe this as liquid love....instant pleasure.
50+5+14+17+7=93
Note - these wines need air. Make sure to serve at the correct temp 60 - 64 degs otherwise they will not show well.
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7/4/2008 - hcampana wrote: 90 Points
This wine comes in a very heavy, beautiful bottle, but it's what's inside that matters. Subdued nose of black fruit and spice. In the mouth this was medium to full bodied and tight. Tannins have a dusty quality to them. Overall a nice wine, but not spectacular. I am becoming a lot more demanding.
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4/5/2008 - Ekoostik wrote: 92 Points
Deep dark fruit but very much in the style of the regular Napa bottling. Doesnt show much development but is really pretty accessable. I was under the impression that the Wykoff was the fruit bomb of the bunch but didnt really find that to be the case. Good steak wine.
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4/20/2007 - CMCLR wrote: 93 Points
Awesome. Wall of Tannins with layers of complexity. Drinks well now- will get better with age.
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3/17/2007 - budman wrote: 94 Points
Monster wine - 94 points. WOW!!! Possibly the best Neal SVD out there!!
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12/17/2006 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
The Blind Drunks monthly tasting (Rich & Dana's): One of our contributions to the December Blind Drunks tasting, served double blind to the group after having been decanted for about 5 hours. Inky color, almost comletely opaque all the way through. Faint tobacco notes mix with aromas of cassis and deep dark fruit. Sweet, tangy tannins on the palate, with flavors of cassis, vanilla and oak. Nicely balanced though. We took the remnants home and three days later this was at its best. Very plush, rich and velvety, and it picked up some coffee and chocolate tones. Lots of potential here.
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11/7/2006 - ScottS wrote: 92 Points
50+5+14+16+7= 92 pts
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10/9/2006 - budman wrote: 94 Points
Awesome. We had no time to decant, yet the 16% alcohol didn't give any heat. Fantastic effort!!!
Thanks, Mark & Gove!!!
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10/1/2006 - AlexRed wrote: 93 Points
my first Neal SVD
incredible nose. opaque in the glass. opened at 7pm, consumed over 4 hours.
nose of chocolate brownie with a blueberry tart nearby. just jumping out of the decanter. the sips at this point were thick and filled with big dark fruit and chocolate, blueberries and a little confectioners sugar...
after about 45 minutes the blueberry and overt chocolate died down a bit and it became more complex which continued throughout the evening. my wife pegged some olive notes about this time.
The chocolate became mocha with some tobacco/cigar box and the blueberry was relegated to the end of the finish. the tannins were soft big and round, then they got roughed up a bit, then became softer again as the night wore on, still very present at the end. (sometimes tannins seem to me to unfold like a little pearl of tea as it steeps).
Very full on the nose and palate all night. solid and strong from attack to finish. the "presence", depth and complexity seemed to be what a little cousin of a HSS might be like (I have only had the '96). 93 - 94
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8/23/2006 - Screameagle wrote: 95 Points
An incredible very young calif. cab. Even with several hours of decanting this huge wine was still tasting very young. Should be an incredible bottle of wine in several years. Just wish I hadn't drank my only bottle so young.
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11/6/2005 - ScottS wrote: 95 Points
Incredible deep color. Wonderful nose of black fruit and crushed berries. Did not decant but ran through an aerating funnel when poring into glasses. This is a huge wine with layers of flavor, blackcherry, tar and mocha. This was very smooth considering the alchohol content of 16%+. Delicious now but I believe this will develop into a wonderful wine over time.
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9/4/2005 - otisabdul wrote: 93 Points
Purchased from the winery for $66. Decanted for 2 hours. Dark purple color. Highly extracted aromas and flavors. Blueberries, brown sugar, Asian spices, and blackberries. My favorite element was the velvety mouthfeel, which coated the tongue like satin sheets. Lots of sweet oak on the finish. Tannins are soft but substantial. I enjoyed this wine's unabashed hedonism. Worth opening one now if you're looking for a rollercoaster ride.
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8/31/2005 - Bryan wrote: 94 Points
I took this bottle to Paris for an extended stay so I let it sit for a couple of weeks then decanted for 3-4 hours and wow this was big and mouth coating with waves of flavor!
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8/13/2005 - GlenD wrote: 96 Points
The Best for The Best 2005 (Chicago NW Suburbs): Huge, huge wine. Decanted a couple of hours before drinking. I was blown away by the fruit concentration and power washing over my palate in waves. Deep sweet flavors of cassis, plum, blueberries and black cherry. Plenty of structure underneath, but not getting in the way of the fruit or drying out the mouth. A lengthy finish capped off a great experience. Everything I look for in a cab. My WOTN.
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