Definitely bringing some secondary notes to the table, more dried plums and raisins at this point. Lighter mouthfeel for sure with a nice smooth finish. There was a slight bit of tannins left. Felt like this is a couple years over the peak, but very good especially considering the price point ($125).
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Gift from son in law and daughter, from winery on their honeymoon in 2005 ie cellared carefully for 14+ years. Decanted 2 hours+ and showed marked improvement. Very good mature wine that’s ready for drinking and can probably go a few more years. Dark mature fruit, black Licorice and savory notes with a light chalky mouthfeel.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decent showing this past weekend. Served with steak off the BBQ this Father's Day. This might have been better a few years earlier.
Notes of chocolate, dust, fading black currant. Alcohol seemed a little warm but that could have been enhanced by the serving temp. Everyone enjoyed except me. I would be hesitant to buy another Elivette over 15 years of age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I have noticed the 2001 Elivette is a little heavier on the Oak than I like. That being said still a nice Bordeaux style wine. So far the 2007 Elivette is my favorite vintage.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Rich, viscous, dark ruby, chocolate and black cherry, soft tannins and acidity. A unique approach to a Bordeaux blend. More like a top notch Zinfandel. Excellent.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Blind tasting. Brief note. Purplish red core showing orange reflections near the rim. Nose and palate give up tight red fruits, rich creme de mure, roasted coffee beans, dark chocolate and well integrated oak that lends some vanilla to the coffee note. Well rounded and integrated. Tannins seem resolved and the acidity is still fresh but the structure is starting to fade as it goes into it's secondary stage. Drink now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
dark red color. nose slight herbs, lightly fruity notes. Palate dusky cherry, faded fruit with low acidity, slight sweet maple flavor. still tannic. at least this bottle was slightly over peak, I think, but interesting to try.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking very well. Fully mature (but will ride it for a few more years). Smooth cherry liquor, aging blackcurrants, great depth and still enough backbone. Sits somewhere between the new and old world.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
We all know Cab. We drink Bordeaux and Napa Cab young and old and figure out what we like. I like aged Cab and especially Mountain fruit. This was a WTF bottle that had a PERFECT cork and was just amazing. If you are in to aged mountain fruit and funky Bordeaux I know you get it and you are like me and the wifey. IF it's not your thing then cheers and I hear ya. This wine was on point, rich and sexy with secondary notes that were an olfactory and palate experience. I really appreciate when I find this stuff on the auction sites and it has a sense of pedigree that gives a 16 year experience. This wine is not tired at all for us mountain fruit peeps. Cheers.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Purchased through winebid.com thinking I could save $50 on each bottle. In hindsight, I should have just gone straight to the winery as they still have a large library selection. Our last bottle opening in Dec was incredible, sourced from the estate. I'm on the fence as to which is better, the reserve or the regular cab. The regular cab reminds me more of a Bordeaux with a distinct floral aroma that is the character of the wine. This reserve was all about the fruit, a highly extracted wine which I think actually has less cabernet than the regular cab. Either way, both wines of 2001 are worth the extra bucks!
Yah baby! This wine is so enjoyable. Hasn't moved to the entire set of secondary favors yet, the fruit was the lead role. Hints of old cabernet (cedar, tobacco, earth) but very young and more elegant compared to the 1999 Elivette.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank with an 08 Realm Beckstoffer and 07 Outpost with Valerie's "Pond View" skirt steak. Really fun to drink three different AVAs, all nicely aged. Decanted for 2.5 hours, drank over 1.5 hours with dinner with a splash left for later.
Deep purple color, vibrant core and no signs of age at the rim. Nose jumps from the glass - dark berry fruits, floral notes - expressive and still young. Palate was dark fruits, blackberry on the front, red fruits, tobacco and earth on mid palate. Mountain fruit signature shining through. Secondary characteristics were dominated by spices, a more forward version of Rhone-like baking spice and cinnamon...this came out clearly after the wine had been open for 4 hours.
This bottle purchased directly from the winery as a library selection and stored in my cellar since, great provenance. What struck me is how young it is still drinking. Seems like other tasters may differ on this so could be bottle variation...based on this bottle I would guess another 5-7 at this level, drinking window of another 15...but who knows...great wine, nice surprise to the upside
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Based on my poor cork performance for wines 10+ years, expected I would have to sadly pour this down the sink. Gladly I didn't have too. However, the cork disintegrated while extracting, leaving only the bottom stub somewhat enact, the rest crumbled like blue cheese. But no infiltration. Legs run quick first wave, then big fat tears ran slow. Must also be very fine sediment present as glass became stained later on, perhaps halfway through the bottle. Very slight bouquet upon opening, pour through Vinturi and the filter helped. Dirty purple in color. In glass wine lighter at rim. first sip was enough to tell me it was still good. Muted flavors but the essence of the cabernet grape and musty taste and I thought it was fruit faded and past it's prime. However, the longer it remained in the glass the more the fruit came out. That took over the course of the evening until the fruit was more then apple. Got that mountain fruit profile which is hard for me to explain but unique to Spring Mountain. Fully aged and secondary flavors well developed, very tasty blend. I feel this is completely ready right now, but given it took several hours for the fruit to push forward, if you have been storing bottles in ideal condition, i think it could go just a few years more. a pleasant surprise and well related, recommended.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
OMG, this is still powerful. Possibly the best 14 year old wine I've had so far. The best part is it has more to give and I have another bottle. Tasting notes on it are spot on so if you can get it with perfect provenance you will not be disappointed I promise. And as a side note, all of Spring Mountain Vineyard wine is above bar so go visit and try their lineup of great wines.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Special bottle. Let breathe in bottle for 2 hrs and had for Thanksgiving. Aromatics were off the charts - powerfully floral. On the nose this is the only bottle that has come close to the lone 82 bordeaux I've had (La Lagune). After the incredible air freshener attack, on the palate the wine was a fantastic California take on the bordeaux blend. Delicious red and dark fruits with underpinning of earth and tobacco. A joy to drink now and think would have many years left. Can't wait for the 2002 et al. I have left!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pop and pour. The bottom half of the cork disintegrated as I pulled it out of the bottle. Menthol and a note of prune on the nose. On the palate, strong black fruit and raspberry at first, with a white pepper note on the finish, but within half an hour it had changed to show brackish water, menthol, and lemon on the nose, with sweet prune and cherry jam on the palate and notes of cocoa, sage (?), and white pepper showing up on a 15-second finish, with moderate acidity. My wife described this as "candy wine," which is a good description; it's dry, but the fruit makes it seem sweet. I guessed this was 15% alcohol, and the bottle says 14.8%. This is something of a fruit bomb, and it's a bit simple, but it's nicely integrated and easy to drink. Although I didn't enter what I paid in Cellartracker, it wasn't anywhere near the $100 mark it seems to be at now, and I wouldn't pay that much for it -- this would be a good value at $50. It does seem to be at or near its peak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Omgomgomgomgomgomg. I guess, if you like that sort of thing.
Seriously, though, this wine is firing on all cylinders. At 15 years of age now, it tastes as though it were barely a toddler. Someone needs to adjust those 2007-2015 drink dates (can I do that?) because that's just ridiculous. This will go another 20 easy.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pop and pour with friends, this bottle of Elivette was in fantastic shape, great Bordeaux type profile with some CA moxy. Bright cherry and blackberry with well integrated creamy oak and vanilla, very smooth with a wonderful balance and presence. This wine dominated a 2001 Mondavi Reserve that was enjoyed as well, but didn't reach this level.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
At Ad Hoc. Deep red center, red rim with some signs of age. Complex nose of darker red fruits, cassis, herbs and smoke. Smooth, cherries and plums, balanced tannins (modest), very good length with fruit finish. Excellent Elivette. Drinking well now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The wine looks tawny colored. The legs are medium. There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like blackberry and red currant. It tastes like forest floor and medium toast. The body is medium/full. The wine has polished texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has low acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted and drank over an hour+, continued to open up beautifully with black currant, slight earth, floral - like red rose, plum, vanilla & soft tannins… really beautiful wine. The wine looks Ruby colored. The legs are Medium. The body is Medium/Full. The wine has Satin-like texture. The wine finishes Long.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Agree with others. This is drinking fabulously now. FYI: Found it for $50 at the Boise wine co-op. Very nice complex aromatics and flavors. Mid-weight on the palate, the finish was long. Tannins were present but did seemed to provide a tension and structure to wine.
Drink now and for next five years in my opinion. Pairs best with a leaner red meat or game done simply.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
the fruit, oak, tannins and balance make this a remarkable selection and well worth the wait, cellared since purchase in 2003. The wine has well rounded currant, black cherry, subtle raspberry,vanilla and cedar with a firm round and long finish. While there was plenty of fruit left I felt the timing was good and pleased, I had not held further. This is peaking now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Sunday Brown Bag Tasting: 2001 CA cabs (Mike & Judi's): Reticent. Hints of red fruit and pine resin, but not much else. Nice balance, with flavors of red fruit- currant and cherries, picking up a nice spice quality in the medium+ finish. Did not change much in the glass although the pine resin note eventually appeared on the palate as well. 89+ pts.
My #6, Domino's #5 Group #4, 62 pts. (the tiebreaker with the Dominus was number of 1st place votes)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Another surprise. This was not supposed to be a great wine, and we were relatively disappointed in earlier years. But it has matured, and as noted by someone else, it is not a typical CA fruit-heavy CS. It does have hints of graphite, minerals but with fruit. Very balanced. While not really French in style, a treat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Smooth, almost creamy wine yet full-bodied; shows graphite, earth, glycerin, red fruits; still quite young with a powerful finish. Very well balanced and integrated. Decanted for 90 mins.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was wine of the night. Soft, subtle, with raspberry fruit, and a plum-like finish, it was smooth, complex and delicious. I really love wines that have aged, and this was just singing in its perfect drinkability window.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank for my 40th birthday along with 10 other wines, and this was the standout of the bunch. What I love about hillside Napa - ripe fruit balanced by mineral notes and structured tannins. Though this wine could evolve more in bottle, I can't imagine it tasting any better than right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
50+4+12+16+6 Fruit is starting to fade a bit, still quite drinkable though. Tons of sediment, decant and expect sludge in the bottom of the decanter. Filter/strain if you can. Really rich, heavy, but lacking the decadence you'd expect from a wine that dense. Dark berry, plum, and asparagus with some spice. Pretty typical Spring Mountain profile. Somewhat fleshy with a medium finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
still dark; nose of earth and some berry; big mixed plum/dark fruit, more brooding than bright due to fruit density and modest acidity; still some earthy tannins on the finish; my first thought was an older petite sirah but this does have the complexity of a cab with earth and herb; more evolved day 2 with more focused black currant notes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Cork pulled pretty easy and I was worried it wasn't a good bottle, but was okay. Residue caked onto the cork and stained deep purple. Reminds me a lot of the Delectus Sacrashe I had recently. Deep purple, great nose, really fragrant, and legs that run slow, thick, and even. A little reticent on the fruit, as if holding back, but what is there is very nice. Now on day three, vacuum sealed. a bit of a varnish or lacquer scent has arisen, but not bad. Has smoothed out even more and the fruit has really come forward as well. Took some time but it came out from behind the corner. Smells...thick. Alcohol also on the rise as well. A bit of tannin at the finish but they seem subdued, as if time has taken the edge off. Actually, this is about the tannin level that is right for me; just enough to let you know it's there. The fruit is nice but not overdone; I credit the Bordeaux style blending. Berry flavors, think it is raspberry and not so much blackberry, cherry too. Nose is really interesting as if many scents arising and melding.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank a vertical of '00-'05 w/ 10 freinds. This was the unanimous choice. Great balance, soft yet present tannins, long finish. The best blend in my cellar.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
From magnum. Decanted for over 2 hours. Dark, opaque color. Floral and dark fruit nose. Taste was lush and velvety; great balance of fruit, tannin, and acid. Terrific by itself, we agreed that it complemented four different selections at the restaurant (Crofton, $45 corkage) including two different fish, pork, and beef.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
taste: a real attractive plush medium feel gives into tones of cedar, red fruits and red cherries. Very well balanced and polished on the palate
overall: This has a real elegant style to it. Well balanced with really good fruit flavors blending well together. This is in a really good spot right now
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was a pleasant surprise. We purchased at the winery (as we noted in our last note)...always an impulse decision, and based on later reviews, were regretting our "investment". However, we felt this wine has done very well since last tasted. Classic CA CS nose of fruit, a bit hot, but quite nice. We found it to have classic CA elements including eucalyptus, dark berry fruit and a bit of sweetness. The wine is well-balanced and not at all over-extracted.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted blind against the 2001 Ch. Montelena estate. This wine won hands down. Also austere, and perhaps benefiting from more time. This wine gave up a reticent nose of dried blackberries and sage. The mouthfeel was a bit rustic, showing wild forest fruit, and new wood. There were complex layers of mocha and sage following through to a nice finish of licorice and coffee. The tannins were austere, but the fruit was strong, suggesting that the wine will benefit from 3-5 more years of cellaring.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Definitely took some time to open up. The fruit was suttle. I did not catch as much berry as other tasting notes indicated. The wine was very well balanced. The tannins are present, but muted. I enjoyed it with lamb, and the two married perfectly. This was one of my favorite bottles, and I definitely think this wine could go a few more years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Far too tight without decanting. Muted black and blue nose with a bit of alcohol and eucalyptus. Almost perfectly balanced fruit and tanin at present, medium in weight with a slight dryness, and a finish that feels and tastes good, but is shorter than I'd like. All in all,very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted and aired for 45-60 minutes. I actually opened both a magnum and two 750s and the magnum was just slightly superior (more fruit and vibrancy) to either of the 750s. Definitely a bordeaux-style wine from California. It was very dark colored but without much nose. Medium weight with good structure and balance. Boysenberry flavors dominate with some coffee, earth and oak in the background. Slightly drying, integrated tannins and a medium finish. Smooth mouthfeel with just enough complexity and elegance to make it very interesting and enjoyable. Drinking very well right now and probably has several years of life remaining.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Cali cab for sure -- this is dominated by ripe, rich boysenberry fruit with lots of oak in the background. Has a muted blackberry/black cherry nose with dark garnet color and no sign of aging. Very tight on opening, it took at least 30 min. to begin to open up. In addition to the "in-you 'face" boysenberry flavors, it has a medium body, dry tannins, good acidity and a medium-long finish.. Not especially complex right now, I found it difficult to get much other than fruit, oak and tannin. Although enjoyable, this is a wine that needs a few more years of bottle time to fully reveal what it has to offer. Interestingly, I left the opened bottle out over night and found it tasted almost exactly the same as it did 24 hours earlier. LOTS of sediment remaining at the end.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very good, continues to evolve and improve. This wine smelled of dark berry fruit, coffee, and subtle oak. Mouthfeel was full bodied with some grainy tannins, and lush flavors of ripe but crisp blackberry and currant, vanilla nuanced oak, earthy mountain fruit, and a lingering finish balanced between berry and mocha.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nice big cali cab. even better with some time. not the most complex, but plenty of fruit, body and tannin to back it up. Not really my style, but full i enjoyed it and throttle cali cab lovers will enjoy even more. B+/A-
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This continues to improve. It remains aromatic and deep garnet, nearly black in color. The wine has aromas of ripe blackberry and cedar. Mouthfeel is huge, and the layers of mocha, cassis, blackberry, and vanilla are impressive and balanced by austere tannin structure and ample acid. Finish is long and caressing. I love this wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Shhhhhhh. This remains the best kept secret in Napa. This winery cranks out old-school, fantastic and profound wine at a song. The 01 elevette is a wine as deep and profound as its inky dark color. Nose reticently gives berries and buttery oak. Mouthfeel is full and the tannins still have a grip. But the palate is as broad as it is deep. Berry and mocha start, giving way to vanilla and brown spice (nutmeg etc.). Finish was long and caressing. A beauty which seems to only improve as time goes on.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A surprise based on reviews. We purchased at vineyard after tasting, and later wondered if a wise decision. This was our first bottle. Extremely dark in color, with a rich, sweet CS nose of plumb, darker fruits, some vanilla. In the mouth quite smooth, well-balanced with a bit of mint/herbal quality to balance the fruit. Soft tannins, but well balanced, not over-extracted. Drinking well now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Great wine that developed with time. medium bodied with dark cherries and licorice flavors. It had a dustiness to it and nice on the finish. it was a pleasure to drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Amazing how huge this wine remains, even with 6 years of time. Tastes like a youngster, but revealing layer upon layer of coffee, cassis, dark fruit, toasted oak, and sage. Finish was long, and midpalate was substantial. This remains one of the great unheralded wines of the Valley.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Of the three wines consumed for dinner (Martinelli Bella Vigne 2003 and Villa Bucci Castelli dei Jesi 2001 the other two) this one was favored second. A complex, fuller bodied wine that had a longer finish, perhaps 20+ seconds. I told guests to give it some time in the glass and sure enough, it began to show more. In fact, it was still developing when we finished it off. Reminds me a lot of the Ridge Monte Bello 2001, another excellent wine, as it has the same grape blend. The Elivette was a bit more fuller due to the higher cabernet percentage. I don't think I would bring another to a restaurant dinner again, as this wine shows best when given time to develope, perhaps at least 45 minutes or more. How much more will it improve with age? Seemed pretty near the top to me, but I have two more and will find out within the next 5-7 years
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
My god this is drinking well! Best it has ever tasted, opulent, fragrant, with loads of berry, creme-de-cassis, subtle vanilla oak, loads of dark chocolate, a fat and opulent midpalate, and a long lingering finish. Reminds me of the 04 Lewis now, with more maturity. Awesome.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
From .375 - Decanted and allowed to sit 45 mins. Seemed tight right out of the bottle (leading to the decant). While this is well after-the-fact with few details, this was a rich and full wine, nice coating, but a curiously brief finish given how lush the wine seems when it hits your mouth. Very enjoyable and fine today, but unsure what time if any is needed for this wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
great bottle, opened after an 04 Caymus and it held up to the competition. Tannins are starting to tame, fruit is opulent as ever, and the finish is long. Berry and cassis dominate, with a touch of vanilla and a well integrated cedar resin. Very polished, very fine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A very nice bottle of wine especially if you enjoy mountain fruit. A touch of dark fruit on the nose. On the palate with some developing softness through the tannins ... an improvement since the last one I tasted. Full on the palate with a moderate finish. Can drink now but would recommend 1-2 hours of decanting if you're tannin phobic. Otherwise, will cellar for a good 5 more years at least.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
maybe still a bit too young to enjoy fully. Opened up after an hour revealing blackberry, a touch of leather, cassis, and austere tannins. Still, a very good drink of wine with a moderate to long finish, and a consistent midpalate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Great depth and complexity in an elegant styled wine. Rich black and red fruit with sweet oak aromas. Round and polished mouthfeel. Long, lingering finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A young giant, which opened up after an hour in the decantor. It was full-bodied with strong tannins, blackberry, oak, toast, and cassis. It's finish was not as long as I expected, but give this youngster a few years, and it will likely improve.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
11/20/2023 - chugwine Likes this wine: 91 Points
Definitely bringing some secondary notes to the table, more dried plums and raisins at this point. Lighter mouthfeel for sure with a nice smooth finish. There was a slight bit of tannins left. Felt like this is a couple years over the peak, but very good especially considering the price point ($125).
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/2/2022 - Masterkim Likes this wine: 95 Points
For son’s 18th Bday. Just fantastic and fully mature. Versus a 2003 Cos D’Estournel, everyone agreed it was as good or better.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/15/2022 - Putnam Weekley wrote: 94 Points
Glycerin. Chewy. Proportionate tension. Mint. Chocolate and cherries surmaturité. Thriving tannin formation. Decades left ahead of this.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/6/2021 - daved Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still big, but it has smoothed out. Full mouth feel, dark fruits and the Eucalyptus with a long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/24/2020 - fpg1951 Likes this wine:
Gift from son in law and daughter, from winery on their honeymoon in 2005 ie cellared carefully for 14+ years. Decanted 2 hours+ and showed marked improvement. Very good mature wine that’s ready for drinking and can probably go a few more years. Dark mature fruit, black Licorice and savory notes with a light chalky mouthfeel.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/11/2019 - stevenjstein wrote:
This bottle seemed a bit past its prime.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/18/2019 - CleverCorkage Likes this wine:
Decent showing this past weekend. Served with steak off the BBQ this Father's Day. This might have been better a few years earlier.
Notes of chocolate, dust, fading black currant. Alcohol seemed a little warm but that could have been enhanced by the serving temp. Everyone enjoyed except me. I would be hesitant to buy another Elivette over 15 years of age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/17/2019 - ascharff Likes this wine: 92 Points
I have noticed the 2001 Elivette is a little heavier on the Oak than I like. That being said still a nice Bordeaux style wine. So far the 2007 Elivette is my favorite vintage.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/26/2018 - jeginmt Likes this wine: 94 Points
Rich, viscous, dark ruby, chocolate and black cherry, soft tannins and acidity. A unique approach to a Bordeaux blend. More like a top notch Zinfandel. Excellent.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/19/2018 - bigdogflow Likes this wine: 94 Points
Tasted at Spring Mtn Vineyard tasting
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/25/2017 - EMichels wrote: 88 Points
On night 1 - Heavy tannins; Dark and fatiguing; Fruit fading before the tannins; Improved on night 2 with a bit more fruit expression
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/24/2017 - ESTEELE90 Likes this wine:
Blind tasting. Brief note. Purplish red core showing orange reflections near the rim. Nose and palate give up tight red fruits, rich creme de mure, roasted coffee beans, dark chocolate and well integrated oak that lends some vanilla to the coffee note. Well rounded and integrated. Tannins seem resolved and the acidity is still fresh but the structure is starting to fade as it goes into it's secondary stage. Drink now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/23/2017 - fred o. Likes this wine:
dark red color. nose slight herbs, lightly fruity notes. Palate dusky cherry, faded fruit with low acidity, slight sweet maple flavor. still tannic. at least this bottle was slightly over peak, I think, but interesting to try.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/31/2017 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking very well. Fully mature (but will ride it for a few more years). Smooth cherry liquor, aging blackcurrants, great depth and still enough backbone. Sits somewhere between the new and old world.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/18/2017 - FullPolicyLimits Likes this wine: 91 Points
We all know Cab. We drink Bordeaux and Napa Cab young and old and figure out what we like. I like aged Cab and especially Mountain fruit. This was a WTF bottle that had a PERFECT cork and was just amazing. If you are in to aged mountain fruit and funky Bordeaux I know you get it and you are like me and the wifey. IF it's not your thing then cheers and I hear ya. This wine was on point, rich and sexy with secondary notes that were an olfactory and palate experience. I really appreciate when I find this stuff on the auction sites and it has a sense of pedigree that gives a 16 year experience. This wine is not tired at all for us mountain fruit peeps. Cheers.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/18/2017 - cyber553 Likes this wine: 99 Points
Fantastic wine. Best we've had in a while. These Elivette's really do get even better with age!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/18/2017 - JEP007 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Purchased through winebid.com thinking I could save $50 on each bottle. In hindsight, I should have just gone straight to the winery as they still have a large library selection. Our last bottle opening in Dec was incredible, sourced from the estate. I'm on the fence as to which is better, the reserve or the regular cab. The regular cab reminds me more of a Bordeaux with a distinct floral aroma that is the character of the wine. This reserve was all about the fruit, a highly extracted wine which I think actually has less cabernet than the regular cab. Either way, both wines of 2001 are worth the extra bucks!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (3)
12/19/2016 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent mature Cabernet blend. Drinking very well now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2016 - JEP007 wrote: 97 Points
Yah baby! This wine is so enjoyable. Hasn't moved to the entire set of secondary favors yet, the fruit was the lead role. Hints of old cabernet (cedar, tobacco, earth) but very young and more elegant compared to the 1999 Elivette.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/24/2016 - tfesmgk Likes this wine: 93 Points
Even better than the last bottle
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/22/2016 - walkerjfw wrote: 95 Points
Drank with an 08 Realm Beckstoffer and 07 Outpost with Valerie's "Pond View" skirt steak. Really fun to drink three different AVAs, all nicely aged. Decanted for 2.5 hours, drank over 1.5 hours with dinner with a splash left for later.
Deep purple color, vibrant core and no signs of age at the rim. Nose jumps from the glass - dark berry fruits, floral notes - expressive and still young. Palate was dark fruits, blackberry on the front, red fruits, tobacco and earth on mid palate. Mountain fruit signature shining through. Secondary characteristics were dominated by spices, a more forward version of Rhone-like baking spice and cinnamon...this came out clearly after the wine had been open for 4 hours.
This bottle purchased directly from the winery as a library selection and stored in my cellar since, great provenance. What struck me is how young it is still drinking. Seems like other tasters may differ on this so could be bottle variation...based on this bottle I would guess another 5-7 at this level, drinking window of another 15...but who knows...great wine, nice surprise to the upside
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/17/2016 - pmarlo wrote: 94 Points
Based on my poor cork performance for wines 10+ years, expected I would have to sadly pour this down the sink. Gladly I didn't have too. However, the cork disintegrated while extracting, leaving only the bottom stub somewhat enact, the rest crumbled like blue cheese. But no infiltration. Legs run quick first wave, then big fat tears ran slow. Must also be very fine sediment present as glass became stained later on, perhaps halfway through the bottle. Very slight bouquet upon opening, pour through Vinturi and the filter helped. Dirty purple in color. In glass wine lighter at rim. first sip was enough to tell me it was still good. Muted flavors but the essence of the cabernet grape and musty taste and I thought it was fruit faded and past it's prime. However, the longer it remained in the glass the more the fruit came out. That took over the course of the evening until the fruit was more then apple. Got that mountain fruit profile which is hard for me to explain but unique to Spring Mountain. Fully aged and secondary flavors well developed, very tasty blend. I feel this is completely ready right now, but given it took several hours for the fruit to push forward, if you have been storing bottles in ideal condition, i think it could go just a few years more. a pleasant surprise and well related, recommended.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/18/2015 - MXL wrote: 93 Points
OMG, this is still powerful. Possibly the best 14 year old wine I've had so far. The best part is it has more to give and I have another bottle. Tasting notes on it are spot on so if you can get it with perfect provenance you will not be disappointed I promise. And as a side note, all of Spring Mountain Vineyard wine is above bar so go visit and try their lineup of great wines.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2015 - SLR204 wrote: 95 Points
Special bottle. Let breathe in bottle for 2 hrs and had for Thanksgiving. Aromatics were off the charts - powerfully floral. On the nose this is the only bottle that has come close to the lone 82 bordeaux I've had (La Lagune). After the incredible air freshener attack, on the palate the wine was a fantastic California take on the bordeaux blend. Delicious red and dark fruits with underpinning of earth and tobacco. A joy to drink now and think would have many years left. Can't wait for the 2002 et al. I have left!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/7/2015 - RichardP wrote: 91 Points
Pop and pour. The bottom half of the cork disintegrated as I pulled it out of the bottle. Menthol and a note of prune on the nose. On the palate, strong black fruit and raspberry at first, with a white pepper note on the finish, but within half an hour it had changed to show brackish water, menthol, and lemon on the nose, with sweet prune and cherry jam on the palate and notes of cocoa, sage (?), and white pepper showing up on a 15-second finish, with moderate acidity. My wife described this as "candy wine," which is a good description; it's dry, but the fruit makes it seem sweet. I guessed this was 15% alcohol, and the bottle says 14.8%. This is something of a fruit bomb, and it's a bit simple, but it's nicely integrated and easy to drink. Although I didn't enter what I paid in Cellartracker, it wasn't anywhere near the $100 mark it seems to be at now, and I wouldn't pay that much for it -- this would be a good value at $50. It does seem to be at or near its peak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/6/2015 - ctmilner wrote: 94 Points
Wonderful combination of youthful fruit and refined age. Decanted about 2 hours before drinking.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/23/2015 - alpha_ori Likes this wine: 95 Points
Omgomgomgomgomgomg. I guess, if you like that sort of thing.
Seriously, though, this wine is firing on all cylinders. At 15 years of age now, it tastes as though it were barely a toddler. Someone needs to adjust those 2007-2015 drink dates (can I do that?) because that's just ridiculous. This will go another 20 easy.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/7/2015 - winejnky wrote:
Pop and pour with friends, this bottle of Elivette was in fantastic shape, great Bordeaux type profile with some CA moxy. Bright cherry and blackberry with well integrated creamy oak and vanilla, very smooth with a wonderful balance and presence. This wine dominated a 2001 Mondavi Reserve that was enjoyed as well, but didn't reach this level.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/4/2014 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 91 Points
At Ad Hoc. Deep red center, red rim with some signs of age.
Complex nose of darker red fruits, cassis, herbs and smoke.
Smooth, cherries and plums, balanced tannins (modest), very good length with fruit finish.
Excellent Elivette. Drinking well now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/19/2014 - stevenjstein wrote: 93 Points
Still drinking well
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/8/2014 - jeremy@ Likes this wine: 88 Points
Big wine full body blackberries earthy. Fine tannins. Long finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/16/2014 - gryz Likes this wine: 94 Points
Full bodied wine with excellent long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/3/2014 - Trolson wrote: 94 Points
This is a special vineyard that consistently presents an old world taste.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/27/2014 - tfesmgk Likes this wine: 92 Points
Much better than the last bottle. Big round mouth with soft tannins.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/2/2014 - us010144 wrote: 92 Points
The wine looks tawny colored. The legs are medium. There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like blackberry and red currant. It tastes like forest floor and medium toast. The body is medium/full. The wine has polished texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has low acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/3/2013 - Wine-Gal Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted and drank over an hour+, continued to open up beautifully with black currant, slight earth, floral - like red rose, plum, vanilla & soft tannins… really beautiful wine.
The wine looks Ruby colored. The legs are Medium. The body is Medium/Full. The wine has Satin-like texture. The wine finishes Long.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/14/2013 - stevenjstein Likes this wine: 93 Points
Complex and elegant. Fruit still holding up well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/13/2013 - norsktorsk wrote: 94 Points
One of the best Napa cabs I have had. Beautiful.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/9/2013 - grapist wrote:
Far from my favorite Elivette
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/13/2013 - arthrovine wrote: 93 Points
Agree with others. This is drinking fabulously now. FYI: Found it for $50 at the Boise wine co-op. Very nice complex aromatics and flavors. Mid-weight on the palate, the finish was long. Tannins were present but did seemed to provide a tension and structure to wine.
Drink now and for next five years in my opinion. Pairs best with a leaner red meat or game done simply.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2012 - us010144 wrote: 92 Points
Silky smooth, nice legs, left longing for more! Let breath for about an hour.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/2/2012 - The Wine Guy wrote: 94 Points
the fruit, oak, tannins and balance make this a remarkable selection and well worth the wait, cellared since purchase in 2003. The wine has well rounded currant, black cherry, subtle raspberry,vanilla and cedar with a firm round and long finish. While there was plenty of fruit left I felt the timing was good and pleased, I had not held further. This is peaking now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/12/2012 - crsprout wrote: 92 Points
Smooth dusty tannins, some fruit left. Surprisingly great...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/21/2012 - tfesmgk wrote: 88 Points
I need to drink another bottle as I felt this one had lost much of it's strength in 2 years. A little pruny, possibly flawed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/8/2012 - AllRed wrote: 89 Points
Sunday Brown Bag Tasting: 2001 CA cabs (Mike & Judi's): Reticent. Hints of red fruit and pine resin, but not much else. Nice balance, with flavors of red fruit- currant and cherries, picking up a nice spice quality in the medium+ finish. Did not change much in the glass although the pine resin note eventually appeared on the palate as well. 89+ pts.
My #6, Domino's #5
Group #4, 62 pts.
(the tiebreaker with the Dominus was number of 1st place votes)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/13/2012 - bluepeter2020@outlook.com wrote: 94 Points
Phenomenal! Paired incredibly well with short ribs. Still plenty of structure and should continue to drink well for a couple years to come.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/9/2012 - amred wrote: 92 Points
Another surprise. This was not supposed to be a great wine, and we were relatively disappointed in earlier years. But it has matured, and as noted by someone else, it is not a typical CA fruit-heavy CS. It does have hints of graphite, minerals but with fruit. Very balanced. While not really French in style, a treat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2011 - cyc wrote: 91 Points
Very un-Napa-like, balanced and smooth, with no over-the-top fruit-bombiness. Was the final wine for thanksgiving dinner
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/16/2011 - 2loyal wrote: 93 Points
Rich and smooth - very worthy teammate with my beef tenderloin. Glad I waited on this!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/15/2011 - winejnky wrote: 94 Points
Smooth, almost creamy wine yet full-bodied; shows graphite, earth, glycerin, red fruits; still quite young with a powerful finish. Very well balanced and integrated. Decanted for 90 mins.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/11/2011 - ambivalent wrote:
Elya
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/30/2011 - A&C wrote: 95 Points
This was wine of the night. Soft, subtle, with raspberry fruit, and a plum-like finish, it was smooth, complex and delicious. I really love wines that have aged, and this was just singing in its perfect drinkability window.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/27/2011 - WineGirlOne wrote: 95 Points
Drank for my 40th birthday along with 10 other wines, and this was the standout of the bunch. What I love about hillside Napa - ripe fruit balanced by mineral notes and structured tannins. Though this wine could evolve more in bottle, I can't imagine it tasting any better than right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/6/2011 - annerk wrote: 88 Points
50+4+12+16+6 Fruit is starting to fade a bit, still quite drinkable though. Tons of sediment, decant and expect sludge in the bottom of the decanter. Filter/strain if you can. Really rich, heavy, but lacking the decadence you'd expect from a wine that dense. Dark berry, plum, and asparagus with some spice. Pretty typical Spring Mountain profile. Somewhat fleshy with a medium finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/5/2010 - wabi47 wrote: 91 Points
still dark; nose of earth and some berry; big mixed plum/dark fruit, more brooding than bright due to fruit density and modest acidity; still some earthy tannins on the finish; my first thought was an older petite sirah but this does have the complexity of a cab with earth and herb; more evolved day 2 with more focused black currant notes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/8/2010 - J-Sho wrote: 93 Points
see previous
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/22/2010 - pmarlo wrote: 93 Points
Cork pulled pretty easy and I was worried it wasn't a good bottle, but was okay. Residue caked onto the cork and stained deep purple. Reminds me a lot of the Delectus Sacrashe I had recently. Deep purple, great nose, really fragrant, and legs that run slow, thick, and even. A little reticent on the fruit, as if holding back, but what is there is very nice. Now on day three, vacuum sealed. a bit of a varnish or lacquer scent has arisen, but not bad. Has smoothed out even more and the fruit has really come forward as well. Took some time but it came out from behind the corner. Smells...thick. Alcohol also on the rise as well. A bit of tannin at the finish but they seem subdued, as if time has taken the edge off. Actually, this is about the tannin level that is right for me; just enough to let you know it's there. The fruit is nice but not overdone; I credit the Bordeaux style blending. Berry flavors, think it is raspberry and not so much blackberry, cherry too. Nose is really interesting as if many scents arising and melding.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/22/2010 - dberg wrote: 93 Points
Deep rich color. Beautifully balanced. Lovely finish, but slightly tannic aftertaste. Somewhat spicy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/15/2010 - tfesmgk wrote: 93 Points
Drank a vertical of '00-'05 w/ 10 freinds. This was the unanimous choice. Great balance, soft yet present tannins, long finish. The best blend in my cellar.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/9/2010 - grapist wrote: 93 Points
From magnum. Decanted for over 2 hours. Dark, opaque color. Floral and dark fruit nose. Taste was lush and velvety; great balance of fruit, tannin, and acid. Terrific by itself, we agreed that it complemented four different selections at the restaurant (Crofton, $45 corkage) including two different fish, pork, and beef.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2009 - EMichels wrote: 92 Points
Not much nose; Great build but takes awhile to offer it up
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/14/2009 - KeithAkers wrote: 92 Points
Glunz Wines Fall Portfolio tasting (The Westin, Chicago IL): nose: elegant and pretty tones of berries, cedar, red fruits, and red cherries all balance out very well together with really good layering on the nose
taste: a real attractive plush medium feel gives into tones of cedar, red fruits and red cherries. Very well balanced and polished on the palate
overall: This has a real elegant style to it. Well balanced with really good fruit flavors blending well together. This is in a really good spot right now
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/8/2009 - amred wrote: 92 Points
This was a pleasant surprise. We purchased at the winery (as we noted in our last note)...always an impulse decision, and based on later reviews, were regretting our "investment". However, we felt this wine has done very well since last tasted. Classic CA CS nose of fruit, a bit hot, but quite nice. We found it to have classic CA elements including eucalyptus, dark berry fruit and a bit of sweetness. The wine is well-balanced and not at all over-extracted.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/31/2009 - itsallgone wrote: 90 Points
Decanted for 2 hours. Still a lot of spice, and some wonderful red fruit. A winner.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/8/2009 - mmyette wrote: 91 Points
Tasted blind against the 2001 Ch. Montelena estate. This wine won hands down. Also austere, and perhaps benefiting from more time. This wine gave up a reticent nose of dried blackberries and sage. The mouthfeel was a bit rustic, showing wild forest fruit, and new wood. There were complex layers of mocha and sage following through to a nice finish of licorice and coffee. The tannins were austere, but the fruit was strong, suggesting that the wine will benefit from 3-5 more years of cellaring.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/21/2009 - Troon wrote: 94 Points
Definitely took some time to open up. The fruit was suttle. I did not catch as much berry as other tasting notes indicated. The wine was very well balanced. The tannins are present, but muted. I enjoyed it with lamb, and the two married perfectly. This was one of my favorite bottles, and I definitely think this wine could go a few more years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/12/2009 - davidandrose wrote: 93 Points
Far too tight without decanting. Muted black and blue nose with a bit of alcohol and eucalyptus. Almost perfectly balanced fruit and tanin at present, medium in weight with a slight dryness, and a finish that feels and tastes good, but is shorter than I'd like. All in all,very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2009 - rickspicks wrote: 92 Points
Decanted and aired for 45-60 minutes. I actually opened both a magnum and two 750s and the magnum was just slightly superior (more fruit and vibrancy) to either of the 750s. Definitely a bordeaux-style wine from California. It was very dark colored but without much nose. Medium weight with good structure and balance. Boysenberry flavors dominate with some coffee, earth and oak in the background. Slightly drying, integrated tannins and a medium finish. Smooth mouthfeel with just enough complexity and elegance to make it very interesting and enjoyable. Drinking very well right now and probably has several years of life remaining.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/18/2008 - rickspicks wrote: 91 Points
Cali cab for sure -- this is dominated by ripe, rich boysenberry fruit with lots of oak in the background. Has a muted blackberry/black cherry nose with dark garnet color and no sign of aging. Very tight on opening, it took at least 30 min. to begin to open up. In addition to the "in-you 'face" boysenberry flavors, it has a medium body, dry tannins, good acidity and a medium-long finish.. Not especially complex right now, I found it difficult to get much other than fruit, oak and tannin. Although enjoyable, this is a wine that needs a few more years of bottle time to fully reveal what it has to offer. Interestingly, I left the opened bottle out over night and found it tasted almost exactly the same as it did 24 hours earlier. LOTS of sediment remaining at the end.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/2/2008 - mmyette wrote: 93 Points
Very good, continues to evolve and improve. This wine smelled of dark berry fruit, coffee, and subtle oak. Mouthfeel was full bodied with some grainy tannins, and lush flavors of ripe but crisp blackberry and currant, vanilla nuanced oak, earthy mountain fruit, and a lingering finish balanced between berry and mocha.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/24/2008 - MC wrote:
Nice big cali cab. even better with some time. not the most complex, but plenty of fruit, body and tannin to back it up. Not really my style, but full i enjoyed it and throttle cali cab lovers will enjoy even more. B+/A-
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2008 - mmyette wrote: 93 Points
This continues to improve. It remains aromatic and deep garnet, nearly black in color. The wine has aromas of ripe blackberry and cedar. Mouthfeel is huge, and the layers of mocha, cassis, blackberry, and vanilla are impressive and balanced by austere tannin structure and ample acid. Finish is long and caressing. I love this wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/16/2008 - mmyette wrote: 95 Points
Shhhhhhh. This remains the best kept secret in Napa. This winery cranks out old-school, fantastic and profound wine at a song. The 01 elevette is a wine as deep and profound as its inky dark color. Nose reticently gives berries and buttery oak. Mouthfeel is full and the tannins still have a grip. But the palate is as broad as it is deep. Berry and mocha start, giving way to vanilla and brown spice (nutmeg etc.). Finish was long and caressing. A beauty which seems to only improve as time goes on.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/3/2008 - amred wrote: 92 Points
A surprise based on reviews. We purchased at vineyard after tasting, and later wondered if a wise decision. This was our first bottle. Extremely dark in color, with a rich, sweet CS nose of plumb, darker fruits, some vanilla. In the mouth quite smooth, well-balanced with a bit of mint/herbal quality to balance the fruit. Soft tannins, but well balanced, not over-extracted. Drinking well now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2007 - emf wrote: 91 Points
Great wine that developed with time. medium bodied with dark cherries and licorice flavors. It had a dustiness to it and nice on the finish. it was a pleasure to drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/19/2007 - mmyette wrote: 94 Points
Amazing how huge this wine remains, even with 6 years of time. Tastes like a youngster, but revealing layer upon layer of coffee, cassis, dark fruit, toasted oak, and sage. Finish was long, and midpalate was substantial. This remains one of the great unheralded wines of the Valley.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/12/2007 - pmarlo wrote: 93 Points
Of the three wines consumed for dinner (Martinelli Bella Vigne 2003 and Villa Bucci Castelli dei Jesi 2001 the other two) this one was favored second. A complex, fuller bodied wine that had a longer finish, perhaps 20+ seconds. I told guests to give it some time in the glass and sure enough, it began to show more. In fact, it was still developing when we finished it off. Reminds me a lot of the Ridge Monte Bello 2001, another excellent wine, as it has the same grape blend. The Elivette was a bit more fuller due to the higher cabernet percentage. I don't think I would bring another to a restaurant dinner again, as this wine shows best when given time to develope, perhaps at least 45 minutes or more. How much more will it improve with age? Seemed pretty near the top to me, but I have two more and will find out within the next 5-7 years
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/1/2007 - mmyette wrote: 95 Points
My god this is drinking well! Best it has ever tasted, opulent, fragrant, with loads of berry, creme-de-cassis, subtle vanilla oak, loads of dark chocolate, a fat and opulent midpalate, and a long lingering finish. Reminds me of the 04 Lewis now, with more maturity. Awesome.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/25/2007 - davidandrose wrote: 92 Points
From .375 - Decanted and allowed to sit 45 mins. Seemed tight right out of the bottle (leading to the decant). While this is well after-the-fact with few details, this was a rich and full wine, nice coating, but a curiously brief finish given how lush the wine seems when it hits your mouth. Very enjoyable and fine today, but unsure what time if any is needed for this wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/5/2007 - mmyette wrote: 90 Points
Great bottle, but overshadowed by the bigger players of the night. pontet-canet, Lewis, and Pride dominated it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/18/2006 - mmyette wrote: 92 Points
See previous notes
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/7/2006 - mmyette wrote: 92 Points
great bottle, opened after an 04 Caymus and it held up to the competition. Tannins are starting to tame, fruit is opulent as ever, and the finish is long. Berry and cassis dominate, with a touch of vanilla and a well integrated cedar resin. Very polished, very fine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/30/2006 - J-Sho wrote: 92 Points
A very nice bottle of wine especially if you enjoy mountain fruit. A touch of dark fruit on the nose. On the palate with some developing softness through the tannins ... an improvement since the last one I tasted. Full on the palate with a moderate finish. Can drink now but would recommend 1-2 hours of decanting if you're tannin phobic. Otherwise, will cellar for a good 5 more years at least.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/22/2006 - mmyette wrote: 92 Points
maybe still a bit too young to enjoy fully. Opened up after an hour revealing blackberry, a touch of leather, cassis, and austere tannins. Still, a very good drink of wine with a moderate to long finish, and a consistent midpalate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/24/2006 - GolferChris wrote: 92 Points
Great depth and complexity in an elegant styled wine. Rich black and red fruit with sweet oak aromas. Round and polished mouthfeel. Long, lingering finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/18/2006 - mmyette wrote: 90 Points
A young giant, which opened up after an hour in the decantor. It was full-bodied with strong tannins, blackberry, oak, toast, and cassis. It's finish was not as long as I expected, but give this youngster a few years, and it will likely improve.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/4/2005 - R2-D2 wrote:
Very dark and the tannins are exceptionally dominant right now. Very difficult to judge. NR
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/13/2004 - 97mjr wrote:
Winery Tour and Tasting: Spring Mountain Estate (Spring Mountain, CA): big dark fruit, long tannic finish. will benefit from time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment