Sorry for yet another note on this wine - but this wine is just drinking awesome this year. This is our second to last bottle and I will be sad to see them go. Bought these back in 2011 and never opened any until this year so I was quite pleasantly suprised by how well made they were given the price point and the fact that Etude is more of a Pinot house. Drinking way better than many $150 cabs in our cellar. The fruit comes from Vine Hill Ranch (VHR & Bond Vecina) so the underlying product is great. Ten years of age has been very good to this bottling. This really improves with a decant - 2+ hours is what I would recommend. mature red and black fruit, leather, dry forest floor - super long finish.
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Pnp'ed. Wow was this drinking well. Hard for me to pick a favorite in the first flight. I like Cabernet Franc quite a bit, but this was just so seductive and velvety and bright fruit but the right amount of acidity for the style and just a bit on the yummy spectrum. Good wine.
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Decanted for about 2 hours then back to bottle to bring to a wine dinner. This continues to punch above its weight. I think it really must be decanted for a while - a small pour taken before decanting shows a much more restrained result. The nose on this is not very expressive, but the finish is oh so long and lovely. I think these are ready to drink now.
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Decanted for 3-4 hours prior to drinking. Tasted side by side with two other Napa cabs (Revana 2008 and Harris - Jake's 2008) and this was the winner hands down. Drinking beautifully right now - really well balanced with a lovely long finish. The aromas from the glass are a bit restrained. Tastes of black cherry/raspberries and a tiny bit of eucalyptus - with very well integrated tannins. The finish is super long. Wow - this was great value for $73 at purchase - real glad to have 5 more in the cellar! If you have some of these recommend trying one now - don't think you will be disappointed.
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Completely agree with Bob below, seemed very austere. There wasnt alot going on. I am not sure what is up but I will hold my last bottle and try it again in a few years
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Just entering the beginning part of its maturity range; this wine was still exhibiting it's youthful fruit (blueberry and boysenberry), with some truffle, pencil lead and melding tannins. Good balance and smoothness. We think this wine will peak in another 2 to 3 years. Looking forward to our next two bottles.
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12/10/2016 - retired_and_roving Likes this wine:
Sorry for yet another note on this wine - but this wine is just drinking awesome this year. This is our second to last bottle and I will be sad to see them go. Bought these back in 2011 and never opened any until this year so I was quite pleasantly suprised by how well made they were given the price point and the fact that Etude is more of a Pinot house. Drinking way better than many $150 cabs in our cellar. The fruit comes from Vine Hill Ranch (VHR & Bond Vecina) so the underlying product is great. Ten years of age has been very good to this bottling. This really improves with a decant - 2+ hours is what I would recommend. mature red and black fruit, leather, dry forest floor - super long finish.
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4/29/2016 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Pnp'ed. Wow was this drinking well. Hard for me to pick a favorite in the first flight. I like Cabernet Franc quite a bit, but this was just so seductive and velvety and bright fruit but the right amount of acidity for the style and just a bit on the yummy spectrum. Good wine.
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4/29/2016 - retired_and_roving Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for about 2 hours then back to bottle to bring to a wine dinner. This continues to punch above its weight. I think it really must be decanted for a while - a small pour taken before decanting shows a much more restrained result. The nose on this is not very expressive, but the finish is oh so long and lovely. I think these are ready to drink now.
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1/29/2016 - retired_and_roving wrote: 94 Points
Just as delicious as the one we drank last week. Loved every sip.
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1/23/2016 - retired_and_roving wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for 3-4 hours prior to drinking. Tasted side by side with two other Napa cabs (Revana 2008 and Harris - Jake's 2008) and this was the winner hands down. Drinking beautifully right now - really well balanced with a lovely long finish. The aromas from the glass are a bit restrained. Tastes of black cherry/raspberries and a tiny bit of eucalyptus - with very well integrated tannins. The finish is super long. Wow - this was great value for $73 at purchase - real glad to have 5 more in the cellar! If you have some of these recommend trying one now - don't think you will be disappointed.
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1/8/2016 - jonanator wrote:
Completely agree with Bob below, seemed very austere. There wasnt alot going on. I am not sure what is up but I will hold my last bottle and try it again in a few years
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3/16/2014 - Bob in NC wrote: 88 Points
Smooth drinking, balanced yet somewhat austere. Possibly in dumb phase???
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3/24/2012 - Bob in NC wrote: 91 Points
Just entering the beginning part of its maturity range; this wine was still exhibiting it's youthful fruit (blueberry and boysenberry), with some truffle, pencil lead and melding tannins. Good balance and smoothness. We think this wine will peak in another 2 to 3 years. Looking forward to our next two bottles.
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