Agree with the fruit bomb comments others have made. Nice long, pleasant finish. This is not a "big" cab in the traditional sense - showing fruit and acid in the middle with the light spicy notes in the back end. I'd drink this alone, but likely would not pair with heavier foods. I think I would like it with game birds.
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Enjoyed at Al Biernat's Steakhouse in Dallas. Not stellar by any means. The strength of this wine is in its finish and body. KEEP IN MIND - this wine was not decanted. It was a pop, pour, the remainder being oxidized in the bottle and enjoyed over a two hour dinner. Cork was pulled to reveal a nice dark black stain with some sediment. Cork intact without bleed. Initial nose out of the bottle was dark black fruit, a little brambly, but quite locked up. Poured a deep red with violet subtleties. Coated the glass. On the entry was a slightly dusty, blackberry pie. Full bodied wine with low to medium acid. Dust was a bit attenuated, and quite elegant. Turned more to cassis and even some black cherry in the middle. Black pepper spice on the finish. I'd say that the nose and finish is the reason why I'm not rating this an 88. After two hours of decanting, the dust appeared a little more prominant up front (as expected), but the characteristics of the wine otherwise didn't change. This was a wine that didn't hide what it had from the start, and didn't really develop. This wine was rather simple, very elegant, but didn't have a whole lot of subtleties. No smoke, no shoe leather, no herbaceous notes that I get and appreciate with some of these Rutherford wines. This wine went excellently with the dishes we had - it went with a filet, a filet with oscar, some lobster risotto, and a surf and turf with asparagus. It didn't really compete, so if you have a party enjoying different things then this wine probably will be quite perfect. Drink now. You can probably hold this for quite a while, and I'm sure that 5-10 years of holding will do this wine well.
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One of the best wines I have had. Real fruit bomb with soft tannins. It opens up fast within an hour of decanting. I have had four bottles with consistent thoughts. Only problem with this bottle is that it kept opening up so that the last glass starting losing fruit. I question whether this wine will age well. I think it is drinking well now
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Inky dark in the glass. Nose of dark fruit, cherry, tobacco. Palate is smooth and inviting. Complex flavors that complement the nose with additional layers of some cocoa. Cherry is prevalent, but in an exotic way. Tannins are smooth and velvety with perfect acidity to match. Medium finish that complements and does not detract.
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Full bodied, spicy berry, smokey, and dark cherry on the nose. Dusty tannins, with dark cherry, berry, mocha and tobacco flavors. Fairly complex flavors, soft and approachable with a well integrated tannic structure. Long persistent finish. Excellent.
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A real fruit bomb with cherry and plum forward. Young but approachable. Beautiful lingering mocha finish with soft tannins that dance on your tongue and leave your palate waiting for the next sip. Had one a year ago and it's aged beautifully. Need to get more.
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Tasted non blind. Opened and served immediately. Followed over an hour.
Purple color in the glass, clear looking throughout. This bottle did have some minor sediment on the final pour from bottle. Nose of currants, blueberries, plums and berries. Flavors of berries, raspberries and a bit of dark cherries. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, full bodied. Drink now with about an hour in the decanter or continue to hold for a couple of years. No rush to drink it. Should hold for quite a while.
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Cherry with a little dust on the nose. Fuit forward tastes of cherry, and a little strawberry and raspberry. Finishes with the red fruits, mocha, lite vanilla and tanins.
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5/16/2019 - wine4lux Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark fruit, richly-textured, long finish. Still in a very drinkable state. Clearly better than an 2008 Antica also served.
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6/19/2016 - armenm72 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Beautiful and still drinking perfectly. Not a ton of Rutherford dust on this cab, just a big, fruit forward Napa cab.
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12/24/2015 - srshane Likes this wine: 93 Points
Exceptional wine, drinking very well. Fully integrated. Has some further development potential but not much.
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9/3/2014 - crsprout wrote: 93 Points
Great, balanced CA cab. Still young with plenty of fruit left.
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7/12/2013 - drbdorfman wrote: 93 Points
A little young and tight. Opened nicely over an hour. Fruit forward. Cassis, black cherry and cigar tobacco. Very nice
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6/7/2013 - sonodoc wrote: 90 Points
Lots of fruit, smooth soft tannins.
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10/10/2012 - CultCabKing wrote:
Agree with the fruit bomb comments others have made. Nice long, pleasant finish. This is not a "big" cab in the traditional sense - showing fruit and acid in the middle with the light spicy notes in the back end. I'd drink this alone, but likely would not pair with heavier foods. I think I would like it with game birds.
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8/4/2012 - mflesh wrote: 90 Points
Enjoyed at Al Biernat's Steakhouse in Dallas. Not stellar by any means. The strength of this wine is in its finish and body. KEEP IN MIND - this wine was not decanted. It was a pop, pour, the remainder being oxidized in the bottle and enjoyed over a two hour dinner. Cork was pulled to reveal a nice dark black stain with some sediment. Cork intact without bleed. Initial nose out of the bottle was dark black fruit, a little brambly, but quite locked up. Poured a deep red with violet subtleties. Coated the glass. On the entry was a slightly dusty, blackberry pie. Full bodied wine with low to medium acid. Dust was a bit attenuated, and quite elegant. Turned more to cassis and even some black cherry in the middle. Black pepper spice on the finish. I'd say that the nose and finish is the reason why I'm not rating this an 88. After two hours of decanting, the dust appeared a little more prominant up front (as expected), but the characteristics of the wine otherwise didn't change. This was a wine that didn't hide what it had from the start, and didn't really develop. This wine was rather simple, very elegant, but didn't have a whole lot of subtleties. No smoke, no shoe leather, no herbaceous notes that I get and appreciate with some of these Rutherford wines. This wine went excellently with the dishes we had - it went with a filet, a filet with oscar, some lobster risotto, and a surf and turf with asparagus. It didn't really compete, so if you have a party enjoying different things then this wine probably will be quite perfect. Drink now. You can probably hold this for quite a while, and I'm sure that 5-10 years of holding will do this wine well.
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7/22/2012 - The Wine Sherpa wrote: 94 Points
One of the best wines I have had. Real fruit bomb with soft tannins. It opens up fast within an hour of decanting. I have had four bottles with consistent thoughts. Only problem with this bottle is that it kept opening up so that the last glass starting losing fruit. I question whether this wine will age well. I think it is drinking well now
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7/10/2012 - DonWinspear wrote: 92 Points
Inky dark in the glass. Nose of dark fruit, cherry, tobacco. Palate is smooth and inviting. Complex flavors that complement the nose with additional layers of some cocoa. Cherry is prevalent, but in an exotic way. Tannins are smooth and velvety with perfect acidity to match. Medium finish that complements and does not detract.
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6/15/2012 - wmccone54 wrote: 94 Points
Full bodied, spicy berry, smokey, and dark cherry on the nose. Dusty tannins, with dark cherry, berry, mocha and tobacco flavors. Fairly complex flavors, soft and approachable with a well integrated tannic structure. Long persistent finish. Excellent.
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4/28/2012 - Wine O wrote: 94 Points
A real fruit bomb with cherry and plum forward. Young but approachable. Beautiful lingering mocha finish with soft tannins that dance on your tongue and leave your palate waiting for the next sip. Had one a year ago and it's aged beautifully. Need to get more.
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4/18/2012 - wineismylife wrote: 92 Points
WIML92
Tasted non blind. Opened and served immediately. Followed over an hour.
Purple color in the glass, clear looking throughout. This bottle did have some minor sediment on the final pour from bottle. Nose of currants, blueberries, plums and berries. Flavors of berries, raspberries and a bit of dark cherries. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, full bodied. Drink now with about an hour in the decanter or continue to hold for a couple of years. No rush to drink it. Should hold for quite a while.
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2/19/2012 - JJB007 wrote: 98 Points
pretty good, great
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11/6/2011 - Golfun4844 wrote: 94 Points
Exceptional. Will order more.
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6/19/2011 - gman1868 wrote:
Cherry with a little dust on the nose. Fuit forward tastes of cherry, and a little strawberry and raspberry. Finishes with the red fruits, mocha, lite vanilla and tanins.
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