1hr+ decant. Definitely starting to fade. Classic Neal nose and flavors that are always distinctive. Very similar to previous notes. Depth starting to thin out. Wine was very different later in the evening.
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PnP’d, but this needs about an hour of air. Dark purple color. Nose and palate initially dominated by olives and black fruit, but with air and time it becomes more Bordeaux like. Silky, smoky finish at the and on the finish. Probably past prime, so drink soon. Love Neal!!!
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Decanted and drank. Really nice cab comes through after about an hour. Smooth with blackberry and other fruit flavors. Not a fruit bomb... very pleasant. Last one for me.
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A good showing. Distinct eucalyptus and graphite elements in the nose, flinty. Some tasters at the table said reminded them of young Bdx/Graves. I thought it really a nice addition to the meal. The aromatics were the star, but the midpalate was there too with tightly knit red fruits and a touch of earthiness. A great value Napa Cab, esp with how dynamic it was in the glass. Engaging now, but has a future ahead of it for those tasters that like more secondary expression beyond core fruit in their Cabs. My only bottle unfortunately. If the winery releases some library of this, I may pull the trigger.
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Unfortunately it’s nearing the end of its drinking window. I would drink very soon! Still that classic Neal nose, but the wine is starting to fade. Still nice cherry and cedar flavors, but finish is dwindling. Most wines don’t last forever unfortunately.
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My only bottle of this delicious mature Cab. Pop and Pour. Eat with grilled tenderloins. This wine was best during the first 3-4 hours so I would say its probably time to drink up.
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I don't know why but this wine always surprises me even though I have had numerous bottles! The nose puts me in heaven. Huge flavors of tobacco, black cherry, and tar make this a very powerful wine. Excellent finish, and probably the best QPR Cab going right now. Mark and team know what they are doing up on Howell Mtn!!! Shhhhh, don't tell too many people.
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Probably just getting into it's prime drinking window... good dark fruit, and tannins, while strong, are starting to integrate. I suspect this will continue to improve over the next 5 years.
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big and forthcoming with all it has to offer on the nose, I found this to be remarkably restrained on the palate. think Nape cabernet that's well built and deriving from a very good vintage but without the nuance of structure that speak of a specific piece of land. That is to say, it speaks loudly but without refined articulation, diverse vocabulary or depth of meaning.
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Black cherry, blackberry fruit with huge presence of dark chocolate on the palate. Nice balance, long finish, smooth tannins. Definitely will last a few years yet.
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A bit thick and wayward, even after two hours of decanting. Pleasant enough, nothing awry, but lacking persuasion. The last glass was quite pretty and tasty but still - not a lot of there-there.
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Inventory update uncovered another 500ml. As others note, the format is perfect for my bride to have a glass, leaving me an "unfair share" that just isn't enough in a 375. Dark cherry and sweet tannins on the nose, medium - viscosity. While there's a silky mouthfeel, the tannins are sweet and declining, placing this at- or just-over-the-hump of its drinking window. Watery black / bing cherry, faint spice, silky smooth tannins.
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I very nice cab, great color and nose. Nice structure and complexity with very solid soft tannins. This wine would benefit from some time in a decanter as well as a bit more cellar time. Should be very good witha bit more age.
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Last of several .500's. Pop and pour, followed over 2 hours. Dark fruit is tight and restrained on the nose, lots of black fruit. Flavor profile shows some youthful edge with stone/metal, black fruit but also has a silky mouthfeel that lets this glide down. In a nice place, ready to go.
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A bit too much tannic on opening. After about 30 minutes though, was opening up some. Dark and purple, with some black cherry and other berry flavors. Fairly nice, but just didn't quite make it to epic levels on taste or complexity. Medium smooth, no acidity that I could tell. Not bad for the price, but as others have said, probably needs a few more years (but only a few) in the bottle.
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Very enjoyable cab. Dark berries, tobacco, nice balance, medium body. Drinking nicely now but probably has another 2-3 years. A little one dimensional.
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This wine is delicious now and ready to go. A lot of dark black fruit on the palate. This is a very good bottle and I enjoyed it very much. Will probably get a little better with time, but I would just start enjoying it now.
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I like Neal generally but it just doesn't get to 90- yet- this is a good wine and yet it doesn't show me anything remarkable or unique and so it joins the legions of Napa cabs which are very good, but doesn't join those which are exceptional- yet. Older Neals have evolved and rewarded and there is time- probably another 7-10 years
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Fragrant berries on the nose. Rich blackberry & red fruit flavors wit balanced tannins and a lingering pleasant finish. Drinking very nicely now, but expect it to improve with a few more years aging.
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Another .500 as I dine (adult solo) at home w my 14yo. Decanted about half the bottle and drank the remainder from the bottle. Poured very dark, tight oak remained on the nose all evening. This is in much better balance than during prior tastings, with dark fruits, blackberry, fine-grained tannins and a little tobacco present. If I ignored my other tastings of this, I'd say this is 1-3 years from hitting its stride.
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Very good Cabernet with a rich, velvety structure and smooth, mineral-filled tannin. Flavors of earth, smoke, ripe black currant and toasted vanilla on the lifted, high-octane palate (but not over the top) makes this wine very enjoyable now taken with steaks, barbeques or even after meals. Good stuff. Drink now until 2017.
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Pop and pour ... Very smooth and rich. Full and big. All berries and cream in this deep purple pour. Lush and RIPE. Very much in the Caymus or Nickel and Nickel style. A big hit!
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From a .500ml bottle - great format, that I like even better than a 375, but I've never seen anyone else sell a CS in this size. Decanted for an hour prior to drinking. A light fruit-driven wine that is enjoyable but generally lacking in depth and structure. Fine and faint tannins present, but they're overshadowed by young red fruit that I can't envision putting on weight/structure. Had this with a steak but it's light-enough to drink with most seafood. Purchased directly and personally carried away from the winery.
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Very dense aromas and texture, but not heavy - a complete wine experience with very integrated layers and layers of black currant, cherry coke, spice, moccha and many other pleasant things. This has very good acidity and should keep for a very very long time. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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I brought a bottle with me on a trip to Korea, as I needed something in my room other than over-priced hotel wines ($80 for Yellowtail, for instance!). This sat for 3 days before I opened it, and I consumed it (with some help from the family) over two days. Day 1 was similar to my notes of 8/18. On Day 2, this was much more open, with distinct note of licorice underlying the well-structured fruit/tannin layers. Nicely done. Needs more time, as I noted in the earlier note. But, with plenty of air, this opens up very nicely.
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Hier soir, avec un ribsteak sur BBQ, un imposant Neal 2007, cabernet sauvignon, nez de petits fruits, cassis, beau nez sérieusement assez volatile, en bouche, c'est tissé très serré, l'attaque est surette avec des fruits frais des champs, en milieu de bouche, c'est empreignant, très bien, c'est encore jeune, bu sur 7heures, la bouteille s'est amélioré toute la soirée. Donc attendre encore longtemps.
A acheter certainement, mais 50$ on ne peut appeller cela un RQP honnête.. mais peut-être ca vaudra le coup dans 6-7 ans. Je vais tenter la chance.
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Nose: Blackberry, Cassis and Blueberry notes with many earthy and herbal components. Very identifiable at Howell Mtn based for its deep fruit notes. Palate: Blackberry, Cassis and a bit of Licorice. Followed by Sous Bois, Pain Grille and Sage. Very dense up front with a well built mid palate that shows the tobacco and herb components well. Finish: Complex and rustic, this one is not afraid to show its structure. A great showing, and I would expect this to improve.
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A bit of mould on the nose but nice fruit on the palate. Unfortunately, the wine really died after being open for a few hours. May have been slightly corked. Would not buy again.
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14.5% alcohol. Ripe and pretty typical of the 2007s. Not a standout. Really not much character beyond ripe cassis fruit, light herb and tobacco notes. Some heat on the finish. Just a ho-hum sort of experience. Pleasant enough, but at the same price you can get so much more character out of other wines. B+
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Little surprised as past Neal's have tended to be bigger, it appeared to be medium bodied and the fruit never really evolved over the night. So, the fruit was a bit flat to be honest but it was pleasant to drink had decent body. Either it needs more time in the bottle for the fruit to develop it is a just an ok cab. 90 tops for now. -S
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double decanted but still not showing a whole lot. there is some dark fruit and a solid wall of tannins but this needs more time to come together, a bit dumb right now.
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From 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from multiple vineyards, the wine opens with oak, earth, mushroom and blackberry jam aromas. Soft in texture, the wine ends with sweet, red and black fruits. Already providing pleasure, this is ready to drink.
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Opened about an hour before serving. Very nice aromas of cassis and berry carry over onto the palate. Nice acidity and evident tannins. Medium bodied, with deep fruit flavors and well balanced. Not in the lush style seen in other '07 Napa Cabs. Excellent with a grilled prime NY strip steak. Should continue to improve and drink well for several years.
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Nice deep ruby red. Nice nose of red fruits (Raspberries, strawberries) and a bit of oak. Good balance on the palate, tannins are smooth but needed a hour in the glass to come toghether. medium plus finish. Solid QPR.
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The wine is entering a good phase. The green tones have been replaced by scorched oak and worn leather. At this price point ($40) a very good option. Drank over 3 days and the wine improved each day. My guess is that this will hit its peak in around 2 years.
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"Melting the ice" at 801. Popped and poured. Very vibrant fruit and acidity. Enough oak to know it's a Napa Cab. Seems thinner and less serious relative to other '07 Napa Cabs -- very drinkable and mouth watering as a result.
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surprisingly tight and not as open and lush as other 2007s. admittedly didn't decant, just did pop and pour. the fruit is there but there is also a big wall of tannins right now. perhaps they will integrate over time.
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If I was doing a vertical tasting I would guess this to be the 2006. How is it that almost everyone had a wonderful year in 2007 and Neal took a step back.
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A very nice wine but not what I was expecting out of the 07, decanted 2 bottles for thanksgiving. Missed the velvety tannins and the faultless integration of the wine that I remembered from previous years. Hopefully sometime in the bottle will help. I have always felt that Neal leaned towards the "Caymus" side of cabernets and the 07s deviate more towards a classic Cab.
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8/13/2023 - asteff Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice fairly ripe but not overly so. Great balance. Good finish.
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5/12/2022 - spectrumphoto Likes this wine: 92 Points
Aging nicely. Dark fruit with softened tannins. Structure present
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10/8/2021 - PMJak11 Likes this wine: 93 Points
1hr+ decant. Definitely starting to fade. Classic Neal nose and flavors that are always distinctive. Very similar to previous notes. Depth starting to thin out. Wine was very different later in the evening.
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9/3/2021 - PMJak11 Likes this wine: 94 Points
PnP’d, but this needs about an hour of air. Dark purple color. Nose and palate initially dominated by olives and black fruit, but with air and time it becomes more Bordeaux like. Silky, smoky finish at the and on the finish. Probably past prime, so drink soon. Love Neal!!!
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8/22/2021 - JB12 wrote: 94 Points
Decanted and drank. Really nice cab comes through after about an hour. Smooth with blackberry and other fruit flavors. Not a fruit bomb... very pleasant. Last one for me.
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12/20/2019 - PMJak11 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Can’t beat Neal!!! Juice is insane! See previous notes.
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11/6/2019 - budman Likes this wine: 91 Points
Yummy dark fruit.
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2/23/2019 - btock Likes this wine: 92 Points
A good showing. Distinct eucalyptus and graphite elements in the nose, flinty. Some tasters at the table said reminded them of young Bdx/Graves. I thought it really a nice addition to the meal. The aromatics were the star, but the midpalate was there too with tightly knit red fruits and a touch of earthiness. A great value Napa Cab, esp with how dynamic it was in the glass. Engaging now, but has a future ahead of it for those tasters that like more secondary expression beyond core fruit in their Cabs. My only bottle unfortunately. If the winery releases some library of this, I may pull the trigger.
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11/18/2018 - PMJak11 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Unfortunately it’s nearing the end of its drinking window. I would drink very soon! Still that classic Neal nose, but the wine is starting to fade. Still nice cherry and cedar flavors, but finish is dwindling. Most wines don’t last forever unfortunately.
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9/9/2018 - danscellar wrote: 91 Points
Very nice well balanced cab, drinking very nicely right now. Enjoy!!
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3/27/2018 - danscellar wrote: 91 Points
Consistent with the others, Big solid Cab drinking well right now. Not showing much age that I can see.
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3/25/2018 - JB12 wrote: 93 Points
Opened for an hour. Bright flavors in a complex mix. Really nice Cab. Smooth from beginning to end. Medium finish.
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3/17/2018 - danscellar wrote: 91 Points
Good solid Cab with some nice structure and complexity. Not big on fruit but solid on oak. Not showing any signs of age.
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3/17/2018 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 93 Points
My only bottle of this delicious mature Cab. Pop and Pour. Eat with grilled tenderloins. This wine was best during the first 3-4 hours so I would say its probably time to drink up.
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3/11/2018 - pjb1955 wrote:
Very thin with little body. Maybe should have drank it sooner.
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3/8/2018 - danscellar wrote: 90 Points
NICE DRINKING CAB
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2/24/2018 - danscellar wrote: 91 Points
A very solid Cab, holding up very well and not showing any signs of being over the Hill. Second day was essentially the same as the first.
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11/23/2017 - Mark Roberts Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very smooth - drank well
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10/20/2017 - PMJak11 Likes this wine: 95 Points
I don't know why but this wine always surprises me even though I have had numerous bottles! The nose puts me in heaven. Huge flavors of tobacco, black cherry, and tar make this a very powerful wine. Excellent finish, and probably the best QPR Cab going right now. Mark and team know what they are doing up on Howell Mtn!!! Shhhhh, don't tell too many people.
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9/13/2017 - budman Likes this wine: 92 Points
Probably just getting into it's prime drinking window... good dark fruit, and tannins, while strong, are starting to integrate. I suspect this will continue to improve over the next 5 years.
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6/17/2017 - spectrumphoto wrote: 92 Points
On the dry side.Rutherford dust, black fruit but not over ripe. A solid amount of terroir. Not a juice bomb but more neutral structure.
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11/4/2016 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Garnet hues. Medium bodied. Pleasant but not exiting red and blue fruit. A bit on the pinot side of cab. But, it wasn't that expensive.
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10/16/2016 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 90 Points
A pretty average wine. Medium bodied muted dark fruit. Nothing really bad about it but also not something you'd cross the road to get.
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9/18/2016 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very average wine. Still needs to decant. Very muted bland fruit. Medium bodied, didn't really stand on its own or complement food.
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2/20/2016 - gmbdds wrote: 91 Points
Tasted single blind. A solid, structured wine with pepper and earth notes. The fruit is secondary, but very nice and integrated.
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1/14/2016 - timshel Likes this wine: 90 Points
big and forthcoming with all it has to offer on the nose, I found this to be remarkably restrained on the palate. think Nape cabernet that's well built and deriving from a very good vintage but without the nuance of structure that speak of a specific piece of land. That is to say, it speaks loudly but without refined articulation, diverse vocabulary or depth of meaning.
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12/8/2015 - brianofthevine wrote: 91 Points
Black cherry, blackberry fruit with huge presence of dark chocolate on the palate. Nice balance, long finish, smooth tannins. Definitely will last a few years yet.
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7/25/2015 - Mech-E Likes this wine: 88 Points
Fruit bomb-esque with a better nose than palate.
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5/30/2015 - cweiner wrote: 90 Points
Improved with a few hours of air to my surprise.
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3/15/2015 - Philman15 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Think chalky tannins, even after an hour decant. Napa noise and jammy fruit. Decent, but expected more from '07 vintage.
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10/15/2014 - brianofthevine wrote: 90 Points
Still black cherry and chocolate notes, lots of acidity here and firm tannins. Needs to sit.
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10/5/2014 - John McCabe wrote: 91 Points
A bit thick and wayward, even after two hours of decanting. Pleasant enough, nothing awry, but lacking persuasion. The last glass was quite pretty and tasty but still - not a lot of there-there.
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9/4/2014 - Lakewine23 wrote: 92 Points
NFL 14 Kick off with a Neal!
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8/30/2014 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 91 Points
Inventory update uncovered another 500ml. As others note, the format is perfect for my bride to have a glass, leaving me an "unfair share" that just isn't enough in a 375. Dark cherry and sweet tannins on the nose, medium - viscosity. While there's a silky mouthfeel, the tannins are sweet and declining, placing this at- or just-over-the-hump of its drinking window. Watery black / bing cherry, faint spice, silky smooth tannins.
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4/24/2014 - rhfactor wrote: 92 Points
really liked this cab. One of the better Neal vintages
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4/5/2014 - capacious Likes this wine: 90 Points
Like the 500 ml format almost as much as the wine. Each bottle is getting better than the one before so this is hitting a good time
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3/20/2014 - capacious Likes this wine: 91 Points
Love the 500 ml format. Generally very happy with Neal. This one is coming on and is ready but young and has probably 8-10 years to enjoy.
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2/15/2014 - jerry6 wrote: 93 Points
great now .
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1/28/2014 - danscellar wrote: 91 Points
I very nice cab, great color and nose. Nice structure and complexity with very solid soft tannins. This wine would benefit from some time in a decanter as well as a bit more cellar time. Should be very good witha bit more age.
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12/21/2013 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 90 Points
Last of several .500's. Pop and pour, followed over 2 hours. Dark fruit is tight and restrained on the nose, lots of black fruit. Flavor profile shows some youthful edge with stone/metal, black fruit but also has a silky mouthfeel that lets this glide down. In a nice place, ready to go.
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12/14/2013 - MemorialWineFan wrote: 88 Points
Decent cab. I much prefer mountain fruit from California. A little short on the finish.
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11/10/2013 - Chuck C Likes this wine: 89 Points
A bit too much tannic on opening. After about 30 minutes though, was opening up some. Dark and purple, with some black cherry and other berry flavors. Fairly nice, but just didn't quite make it to epic levels on taste or complexity. Medium smooth, no acidity that I could tell. Not bad for the price, but as others have said, probably needs a few more years (but only a few) in the bottle.
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10/26/2013 - slippytoad wrote: 90 Points
Lots of dark fruit, gobs of chocolate. Not as smooth as it could be - I doubt will get much better with age.
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9/29/2013 - Mike V wrote: 90 Points
A really reliable $40 Napa cab. In the Neal style. A bit tannic with more subtle fruit than some.
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6/27/2013 - Gcashman wrote: 90 Points
Very enjoyable cab. Dark berries, tobacco, nice balance, medium body. Drinking nicely now but probably has another 2-3 years. A little one dimensional.
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6/20/2013 - jonanator wrote: 90 Points
This wine is delicious now and ready to go. A lot of dark black fruit on the palate. This is a very good bottle and I enjoyed it very much. Will probably get a little better with time, but I would just start enjoying it now.
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6/4/2013 - capacious Likes this wine: 89 Points
I like Neal generally but it just doesn't get to 90- yet- this is a good wine and yet it doesn't show me anything remarkable or unique and so it joins the legions of Napa cabs which are very good, but doesn't join those which are exceptional- yet. Older Neals have evolved and rewarded and there is time- probably another 7-10 years
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4/13/2013 - Wrkolbeck wrote: 92 Points
Fragrant berries on the nose. Rich blackberry & red fruit flavors wit balanced tannins and a lingering pleasant finish. Drinking very nicely now, but expect it to improve with a few more years aging.
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3/9/2013 - Lessthanzero wrote: 90 Points
big black fruits, pretty oaky, but a little green. Might turn better in 5 years, but who's going to cellart this?
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2/18/2013 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 91 Points
Another .500 as I dine (adult solo) at home w my 14yo. Decanted about half the bottle and drank the remainder from the bottle. Poured very dark, tight oak remained on the nose all evening. This is in much better balance than during prior tastings, with dark fruits, blackberry, fine-grained tannins and a little tobacco present. If I ignored my other tastings of this, I'd say this is 1-3 years from hitting its stride.
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2/17/2013 - soyhead wrote: 91 Points
nose - dark fruit and oak
mouth - ripe attractive dark fruit. my WOTN
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12/3/2012 - gmbdds wrote: 91 Points
Beautiful nose. Pretty, balanced and structured wine featuring black cherry. A classy effort by Neal.
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11/15/2012 - capacious Likes this wine: 91 Points
I have always liked Neal and the 500ml format is a hit for my wife and I on a night when we didn't want to open a 750
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11/11/2012 - Life At Your Leisure 🍷 wrote: 92 Points
Very good Cabernet with a rich, velvety structure and smooth, mineral-filled tannin. Flavors of earth, smoke, ripe black currant and toasted vanilla on the lifted, high-octane palate (but not over the top) makes this wine very enjoyable now taken with steaks, barbeques or even after meals. Good stuff. Drink now until 2017.
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11/2/2012 - jupiter33 wrote: 91 Points
Nice Cab, could use a little more time but definitely not over the top.
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10/13/2012 - markandsusanw wrote: 92 Points
Pop and pour ... Very smooth and rich. Full and big. All berries and cream in this deep purple pour. Lush and RIPE. Very much in the Caymus or Nickel and Nickel style. A big hit!
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9/21/2012 - davidandrose wrote: 89 Points
From a .500ml bottle - great format, that I like even better than a 375, but I've never seen anyone else sell a CS in this size. Decanted for an hour prior to drinking. A light fruit-driven wine that is enjoyable but generally lacking in depth and structure. Fine and faint tannins present, but they're overshadowed by young red fruit that I can't envision putting on weight/structure. Had this with a steak but it's light-enough to drink with most seafood. Purchased directly and personally carried away from the winery.
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9/19/2012 - Omar Khayyam Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very dense aromas and texture, but not heavy - a complete wine experience with very integrated layers and layers of black currant, cherry coke, spice, moccha and many other pleasant things. This has very good acidity and should keep for a very very long time. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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9/9/2012 - Haggis wrote: 89 Points
I brought a bottle with me on a trip to Korea, as I needed something in my room other than over-priced hotel wines ($80 for Yellowtail, for instance!). This sat for 3 days before I opened it, and I consumed it (with some help from the family) over two days. Day 1 was similar to my notes of 8/18. On Day 2, this was much more open, with distinct note of licorice underlying the well-structured fruit/tannin layers. Nicely done. Needs more time, as I noted in the earlier note. But, with plenty of air, this opens up very nicely.
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8/18/2012 - Haggis wrote: 88 Points
Youthful, lush plummy fruit, hint of steminess. Needs time! Decanted only one hour, but it did open up over the course of the evening.
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7/15/2012 - Frank&Steph wrote: 91 Points
Hier soir, avec un ribsteak sur BBQ, un imposant Neal 2007, cabernet sauvignon, nez de petits fruits, cassis, beau nez sérieusement assez volatile, en bouche, c'est tissé très serré, l'attaque est surette avec des fruits frais des champs, en milieu de bouche, c'est empreignant, très bien, c'est encore jeune, bu sur 7heures, la bouteille s'est amélioré toute la soirée. Donc attendre encore longtemps.
A acheter certainement, mais 50$ on ne peut appeller cela un RQP honnête.. mais peut-être ca vaudra le coup dans 6-7 ans. Je vais tenter la chance.
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7/1/2012 - drcoop wrote: 93 Points
Delicious young fruit
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6/29/2012 - mn47 wrote: 92 Points
Un cabernet sauvignon typé. Excellent avec une fondue chinoise et ses sauces au cari et au raifort.
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6/8/2012 - RockinCabs wrote: 91 Points
Nose: Blackberry, Cassis and Blueberry notes with many earthy and herbal components. Very identifiable at Howell Mtn based for its deep fruit notes. Palate: Blackberry, Cassis and a bit of Licorice. Followed by Sous Bois, Pain Grille and Sage. Very dense up front with a well built mid palate that shows the tobacco and herb components well. Finish: Complex and rustic, this one is not afraid to show its structure. A great showing, and I would expect this to improve.
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5/18/2012 - Thobman wrote: 85 Points
A bit of mould on the nose but nice fruit on the palate. Unfortunately, the wine really died after being open for a few hours. May have been slightly corked. Would not buy again.
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5/18/2012 - Roentgen Ray wrote: 93 Points
Nice big style wine, good fruit, dark currant, graphite, and coffee.
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4/24/2012 - davidandrose wrote: 87 Points
Pop and pour. This just seemed a little backwards and never real came to its own during the brief drinking window.
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4/22/2012 - Frank&Steph wrote: 90 Points
a attendre longtemps je crois
mur de tannins immense cachant un peu le tout
même après 4 heures de carafe c'Est fermé
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4/19/2012 - jtebo wrote: 87 Points
Dry, lots of tannins, my taste says good not great
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3/31/2012 - gutt22 wrote:
14.5% alcohol. Ripe and pretty typical of the 2007s. Not a standout. Really not much character beyond ripe cassis fruit, light herb and tobacco notes. Some heat on the finish. Just a ho-hum sort of experience. Pleasant enough, but at the same price you can get so much more character out of other wines. B+
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3/13/2012 - jerry6 wrote: 90 Points
Very nice , think it will be better in a few months/ years hope I can resist drinking them this year.
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3/5/2012 - sasvino wrote: 90 Points
Little surprised as past Neal's have tended to be bigger, it appeared to be medium bodied and the fruit never really evolved over the night. So, the fruit was a bit flat to be honest but it was pleasant to drink had decent body. Either it needs more time in the bottle for the fruit to develop it is a just an ok cab. 90 tops for now. -S
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2/24/2012 - texag96 wrote: 91 Points
Very easy drinking wine right now. Good fruit and mild tannins.
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2/15/2012 - konadog wrote:
double decanted but still not showing a whole lot. there is some dark fruit and a solid wall of tannins but this needs more time to come together, a bit dumb right now.
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2/5/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 90 Points
From 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from multiple vineyards, the wine opens with oak, earth, mushroom and blackberry jam aromas. Soft in texture, the wine ends with sweet, red and black fruits. Already providing pleasure, this is ready to drink.
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1/15/2012 - vinordinaire wrote: 93 Points
Surprisingly smooth for being so young. Full, layered flavor and nice finish. Will get even better in the years to come.
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10/15/2011 - scottj wrote: 92 Points
Opened about an hour before serving. Very nice aromas of cassis and berry carry over onto the palate. Nice acidity and evident tannins. Medium bodied, with deep fruit flavors and well balanced. Not in the lush style seen in other '07 Napa Cabs. Excellent with a grilled prime NY strip steak. Should continue to improve and drink well for several years.
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10/10/2011 - jaxpaj wrote: 89 Points
Acids seemed higher than I remembered.
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10/8/2011 - jtebo wrote:
Excellent lighter Napa Cab, woody/oak
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9/28/2011 - CMCLR wrote: 86 Points
Too rustic. Maybe VA?
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9/18/2011 - Thobman wrote: 92 Points
Big and ready. Should decant for 30 minutes or more
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9/17/2011 - vinaigre wrote: 91 Points
Nice deep ruby red. Nice nose of red fruits (Raspberries, strawberries) and a bit of oak. Good balance on the palate, tannins are smooth but needed a hour in the glass to come toghether. medium plus finish. Solid QPR.
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9/16/2011 - jaxpaj wrote: 91 Points
The wine is entering a good phase. The green tones have been replaced by scorched oak and worn leather. At this price point ($40) a very good option. Drank over 3 days and the wine improved each day. My guess is that this will hit its peak in around 2 years.
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6/25/2011 - vegasoenophile wrote: 96 Points
Very fruit forward style, but still a well balanced, deep, rich and luscious cabernet.
- Tasted at winery 12/30/10
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5/16/2011 - whallyden wrote: 89 Points
"Melting the ice" at 801. Popped and poured. Very vibrant fruit and acidity. Enough oak to know it's a Napa Cab. Seems thinner and less serious relative to other '07 Napa Cabs -- very drinkable and mouth watering as a result.
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2/16/2011 - konadog wrote:
surprisingly tight and not as open and lush as other 2007s. admittedly didn't decant, just did pop and pour. the fruit is there but there is also a big wall of tannins right now. perhaps they will integrate over time.
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1/24/2011 - jaxpaj wrote: 89 Points
If I was doing a vertical tasting I would guess this to be the 2006. How is it that almost everyone had a wonderful year in 2007 and Neal took a step back.
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1/8/2011 - Cashious wrote: 90 Points
Good, solid, reliable cab. Excellent value.
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11/29/2010 - jaxpaj wrote: 90 Points
A very nice wine but not what I was expecting out of the 07, decanted 2 bottles for thanksgiving. Missed the velvety tannins and the faultless integration of the wine that I remembered from previous years. Hopefully sometime in the bottle will help. I have always felt that Neal leaned towards the "Caymus" side of cabernets and the 07s deviate more towards a classic Cab.
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11/18/2010 - brianofthevine wrote: 91 Points
Black cherry and chocolate, good balance and acidity. Smooth tannins, nice finish.
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