If I rated today it would be 89-90 as I know what this tastes like from years ago - outstanding, one of my favorites. Stored in a temp controlled cellar in pristine condition. Wine is showing a little thin at the moment, tannins are faded, good acidity and Rutherford dust ever present. Medium finish.
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Wine still has a ton of structure, color and flavor. Utilized aeration device and the wine did to disappoint. Will be dipping into a few more of these before it passes its time.
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Decanted and drank over 6 hours. The wine initially came across hot and over extracted, but with time in the glass, it opened up and showed excellent ripe fruit, smooth tannins and a long finish.
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Hate to say good bye to this wine. Very consistent and well made wine. Really was a wine I wish I had more of. If you have this in your cellar, you are quite fortunate. Drink up, not sure it can improve
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This is ready. Secondary flavors have come, wine has mellowed tremendously. Drink up...very smooth, dark fruit. Not much tannin left. Still enjoyable, but I would not think it will improve much beyond this...
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Opened last night with Nick & Nick Kelham '07 and Cliff Lede '13 Beck To Kalon. Thought even better than the Nick. Still very fruit forward but some good secondary flavors developing like forest floor and mushroom. Nice place right now and has a good 5 years left at peak.
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Gorgeous wine. Tastes like a top Aussie shiraz like a Clarendon with that raspberry core. Very concentrated yet seemingly light on its feet. Really well executed.
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Well, this was the surprise of the night, pop and pour third bottle of the night following a 2013 Schrader RBS and a 2012 Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Cab, and was the WOTN for me !
Palate was more balanced than the prior two, and had a fabulous silky mouth feel. I was very surprised, as the last time I tried this in 2011 I was very disappointed. Very impressed, I hope the rest of the case drinks as well.
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No score as this needed a longer decant than we gave it (splash decant and pour) -- it was definitely improving with air as we drank it. A bit thin and weak purple flavors upon opening. Was deepening and body was building with air. Probably would have been excellent with 2-3 hour decant...
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Decanted for 3 hours and the wine was first of the evening. By far, the nicest wine out of twelve tastings. Long finish, with pleasant nose and bursting with flavor. Drinking nicely right now with no notice of age.
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Very rich and smooth. Aromas of blue and black fruit, licorice and floral notes. Tastes of blackberry and blueberry, toasty oak and sweet spices. Probably could go another 10 years.
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Decanted with aerator and let sit 45 minutes. This wine is simply amazing, hitting all the notes. Gorgeous lush fruit, smooth tannins and perfect acidity. Great mouth feel and long lingering finish. I was told at the winery that this wine may be peaking but I think not - has several years at this plateau. Bravo!
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Excellent - popped and poured - was a bit tanic so next time will decant. In spite of that was a delight = amazing fruit and great structure. Has plenty of time to go but can be drank now as well with a decant.
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Really beautiful juice. Still has a lot of power; can keep cellared for another 5 years. But drinking in a nice spot right now. Well balanced with harmonious tones of Rutherford. Wish I had more.
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Hmmmmm I was expecting more. Just had the 2010 vintage, and it was ready. This vintage was off for me. Almost like it was 20-30% flawed if that makes sence.
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Multiple tastings with consistent notes, strong aromatics, good depth of fruit, drinking well right now, should last several more years. I'll be sad to see my last bottle go.
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Second bottle in about 3 months (should have checked my notes before opening. If I'd realized I'd drank a bottle so recently I would have waited). This struck me as really good, but flavor was not as good as last bottle. Balance was perfect, just not sure about taste.
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Third tasting with consistent notes, wonderful fruit flavors, field flowers, good balance. A well made wine in a wonderful vintage. Much better than other FFV wines have had from other vintages.
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If i had opened this blind I would have thought this was Shafer Hillside. Fruit was huge but incredibly balanced, even straight from the bottle from 55 degree cellar. Got better as it warmed up. May have to get on this list.
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Decanted for about 45 minutes, and paired with filet, potato, and veggies, truly an outstanding Cab. The aroma of currants, pencil shavings, and the taste of black berries, spice, cinninam.
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Tenzing Portfolio Tasting (Tenzing - Chicago, IL): Excellent reserve bottling. Outscored the Winston Hill in fact. Great culty ripe fruit. Cassis, blueberry, graphite. Lots of purple plums and fig. Heady licorice, road tar. Nice acidity, good weight. Resolved tannins.
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A little bit zingy right now. There's no denying this is good stuff. Recommended with a capital R. Probably best to wait a little while to unlock its potential.
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This wine is still in infancy but shows amazing promise. 2.5 hour decant. Still tannic but not oaky, more silky tannins. Amazing fruit, complex with cassis, berries and full mouth feel and mocha. The acid is in balance, it will greatly reward patience. Has potential to be a 95 to 96 point wine. (still giving a bit of a low-ball score to balance the "100" score below)
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Frank Family has always been a solid producer, this Reserve is superb. This big Napa cab has notes of cassis, herbal notes and blackberry. Very balanced for a young wine, it is drinking beautifully now and will also reward patience. The tannins are very smooth for it's age. Highly recommended. (I actually would score this higher, perhaps 94, if it were not for the 100 point review below... that is an over the top score that needs balancing.)
Quite frankly I think this is the best wine I have ever had. In my mind, it's subtle, smooth taste makes it the champion of the standout 2007 class of cabernets.
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4/6/2024 - Tym4wine Likes this wine:
If I rated today it would be 89-90 as I know what this tastes like from years ago - outstanding, one of my favorites. Stored in a temp controlled cellar in pristine condition. Wine is showing a little thin at the moment, tannins are faded, good acidity and Rutherford dust ever present. Medium finish.
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10/16/2022 - Lax4 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wine still has a ton of structure, color and flavor. Utilized aeration device and the wine did to disappoint. Will be dipping into a few more of these before it passes its time.
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6/28/2022 - Mdubnik Likes this wine:
Drink up!
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4/5/2022 - NY Wino Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted and drank over 6 hours. The wine initially came across hot and over extracted, but with time in the glass, it opened up and showed excellent ripe fruit, smooth tannins and a long finish.
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10/26/2021 - B&PBaker Likes this wine: 93 Points
beautiful stuff. All the right CA red character. Boo Hoo. My last bottle 93
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2/10/2021 - fjd1960 wrote: 93 Points
Didn’t have label
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3/30/2018 - EvanJB wrote: 95 Points
Outstanding. Still has great body and plenty of fruit.
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9/19/2017 - ebert Likes this wine: 95 Points
Extremely smooth with good tannins and great fruit flavor. Incredible finish. Definitely tasting great now and should last at least 3 more years.
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3/27/2017 - chuckos77 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Hate to say good bye to this wine. Very consistent and well made wine. Really was a wine I wish I had more of. If you have this in your cellar, you are quite fortunate. Drink up, not sure it can improve
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3/13/2017 - webbaker Likes this wine: 95 Points
Multiple tastings with consistent notes. Last bottle, sorry to see it go.
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12/25/2016 - PinotPaul wrote: 92 Points
Smooooth. Still nice fruit. Very enjoyable.
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11/26/2016 - BigGDaddy Likes this wine: 94 Points
This is ready. Secondary flavors have come, wine has mellowed tremendously. Drink up...very smooth, dark fruit. Not much tannin left. Still enjoyable, but I would not think it will improve much beyond this...
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11/18/2016 - rrush Likes this wine: 92 Points
Smooth and deep flavors and color. Seems to be peaking for this bottle- drink now
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10/21/2016 - rpontual wrote: 88 Points
Drinking well now. When compared with other Cabs from Napa it has less complexity and is lighter.
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3/5/2016 - BordeauxBoy Likes this wine: 95 Points
Opened last night with Nick & Nick Kelham '07 and Cliff Lede '13 Beck To Kalon. Thought even better than the Nick. Still very fruit forward but some good secondary flavors developing like forest floor and mushroom. Nice place right now and has a good 5 years left at peak.
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12/27/2015 - nywine68 wrote:
Gorgeous wine. Tastes like a top Aussie shiraz like a Clarendon with that raspberry core. Very concentrated yet seemingly light on its feet. Really well executed.
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12/18/2015 - atwkite Likes this wine: 97 Points
Well, this was the surprise of the night, pop and pour third bottle of the night following a 2013 Schrader RBS and a 2012 Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Cab, and was the WOTN for me !
Palate was more balanced than the prior two, and had a fabulous silky mouth feel. I was very surprised, as the last time I tried this in 2011 I was very disappointed. Very impressed, I hope the rest of the case drinks as well.
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11/24/2015 - iamandyc wrote:
No score as this needed a longer decant than we gave it (splash decant and pour) -- it was definitely improving with air as we drank it. A bit thin and weak purple flavors upon opening. Was deepening and body was building with air. Probably would have been excellent with 2-3 hour decant...
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5/24/2015 - chuckos77 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for 3 hours and the wine was first of the evening. By far, the nicest wine out of twelve tastings. Long finish, with pleasant nose and bursting with flavor. Drinking nicely right now with no notice of age.
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4/24/2015 - joet626 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very rich and full. Lots of chocolate on the finish. Very good
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1/2/2015 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very rich and smooth. Aromas of blue and black fruit, licorice and floral notes. Tastes of blackberry and blueberry, toasty oak and sweet spices. Probably could go another 10 years.
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12/21/2014 - brucerob Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted with aerator and let sit 45 minutes. This wine is simply amazing, hitting all the notes. Gorgeous lush fruit, smooth tannins and perfect acidity. Great mouth feel and long lingering finish. I was told at the winery that this wine may be peaking but I think not - has several years at this plateau. Bravo!
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9/7/2014 - brucerob wrote: 93 Points
Excellent - popped and poured - was a bit tanic so next time will decant. In spite of that was a delight = amazing fruit and great structure. Has plenty of time to go but can be drank now as well with a decant.
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8/6/2014 - ageverett Likes this wine: 94 Points
Really beautiful juice. Still has a lot of power; can keep cellared for another 5 years. But drinking in a nice spot right now. Well balanced with harmonious tones of Rutherford. Wish I had more.
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7/28/2014 - Cuellar's Cellar wrote: 88 Points
Hmmmmm I was expecting more. Just had the 2010 vintage, and it was ready. This vintage was off for me. Almost like it was 20-30% flawed if that makes sence.
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5/22/2014 - webbaker Likes this wine: 94 Points
Multiple tastings with consistent notes, strong aromatics, good depth of fruit, drinking well right now, should last several more years. I'll be sad to see my last bottle go.
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5/14/2014 - Smiths22 wrote: 94 Points
A perfect bottle of wine! Complex flavors with balance of tannins. Really enjoyed this!!
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5/6/2014 - webbaker Likes this wine: 94 Points
Multiple tastings with consistent notes. Best FFV I've had, 2007 rocks, other vintages not as much. Excellent fruit profile, nice balance.
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4/25/2014 - joet626 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very well balanced. Lots of fruit and a great finidh. Very good.
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3/8/2014 - Bluethunder wrote: 91 Points
Decant 4hours. Garnet color, dark red and black fruit, cassis and leather with smooth integrated tannins.
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9/21/2013 - joet626 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Verygood. Lots of blackberry fruit and a great long finish. This is maturing very well
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7/19/2013 - levinml wrote: 93 Points
Second bottle in about 3 months (should have checked my notes before opening. If I'd realized I'd drank a bottle so recently I would have waited). This struck me as really good, but flavor was not as good as last bottle. Balance was perfect, just not sure about taste.
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5/26/2013 - webbaker Likes this wine: 95 Points
Third tasting with consistent notes, wonderful fruit flavors, field flowers, good balance. A well made wine in a wonderful vintage. Much better than other FFV wines have had from other vintages.
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2/16/2013 - levinml wrote: 95 Points
If i had opened this blind I would have thought this was Shafer Hillside. Fruit was huge but incredibly balanced, even straight from the bottle from 55 degree cellar. Got better as it warmed up. May have to get on this list.
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2/4/2013 - webbaker Likes this wine: 95 Points
Second tasting with consistent notes, wonderful fruit flavors, field flowers, good balance. Drinking very well right now.
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1/26/2013 - flydcjets Likes this wine:
Our last bottle of this vintage, and it was wonderful!
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7/23/2012 - pcholnoky Likes this wine: 94 Points
decanted for 40 minutes. 1.5L bottle. Opened up very well. Truly outstanding Cab.
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7/4/2012 - flydcjets wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for about 45 minutes, and paired with filet, potato, and veggies, truly an outstanding Cab. The aroma of currants, pencil shavings, and the taste of black berries, spice, cinninam.
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5/27/2012 - emlgonzalez wrote: 95 Points
Awesome wine
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4/29/2012 - grapemaven wrote: 93 Points
Delicious notes of cassis, black currants and mocha
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4/16/2012 - beezer6 wrote: 93 Points
Tenzing Portfolio Tasting (Tenzing - Chicago, IL): Excellent reserve bottling. Outscored the Winston Hill in fact. Great culty ripe fruit. Cassis, blueberry, graphite. Lots of purple plums and fig. Heady licorice, road tar. Nice acidity, good weight. Resolved tannins.
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4/5/2012 - Denk2003 wrote: 92 Points
outstanding blend, very bordeaux like, smooth
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2/12/2012 - flydcjets wrote: 94 Points
A beautiful dark plum color, and dried fruit taste, and so so smooth on the palate.
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1/13/2012 - sjdcellar wrote: 93 Points
delicious - much more flavor and concentration than the estate bottling. very good
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10/31/2011 - BK29 wrote: 95 Points
beautiful
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10/30/2011 - atwkite wrote: 92 Points
Good, but nowhere near as balanced or integrated as the 2003. Will give it a few more years before the next taste.
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8/23/2011 - ChinonRouge wrote: 90 Points
A little bit zingy right now. There's no denying this is good stuff. Recommended with a capital R. Probably best to wait a little while to unlock its potential.
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6/4/2011 - GoCougs wrote: 93 Points
INCREDIBLE
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5/24/2011 - shellylowen wrote: 92 Points
Very smooth, good body - tar and prune. Very silky
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4/29/2011 - Fpgdoyle wrote:
At the tasting room
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4/14/2011 - brucerob wrote: 91 Points
This wine is still in infancy but shows amazing promise. 2.5 hour decant. Still tannic but not oaky, more silky tannins. Amazing fruit, complex with cassis, berries and full mouth feel and mocha. The acid is in balance, it will greatly reward patience. Has potential to be a 95 to 96 point wine. (still giving a bit of a low-ball score to balance the "100" score below)
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4/14/2011 - brucerob wrote: 91 Points
Frank Family has always been a solid producer, this Reserve is superb. This big Napa cab has notes of cassis, herbal notes and blackberry. Very balanced for a young wine, it is drinking beautifully now and will also reward patience. The tannins are very smooth for it's age. Highly recommended. (I actually would score this higher, perhaps 94, if it were not for the 100 point review below... that is an over the top score that needs balancing.)
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1/1/2011 - fulisheng wrote: 100 Points
Quite frankly I think this is the best wine I have ever had. In my mind, it's subtle, smooth taste makes it the champion of the standout 2007 class of cabernets.
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