In my 2018 review, I stated I didn't think this wine could get much better. Well, it did. An impressive wine, consumed after 30 minutes in the decanter. I haven't had a Napa cab much better than this. Using my unsophisticated rating system, I give this a 97, which allows for the possibility. Great bottle of wine.
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A thirty minute decant in the glass yielded a slight aroma and taste of brett and other unsettled flavors. Not surprising for a wine awakened after a nearly 25 year slumber. Another 30 minutes in the glass and the funkiness gave way to nicely emerging fruit and integrated tannins in an excellent old world style. Subtle, smooth, nicely layered and well built. A silky, sophisticated wine. The rest of the bottle sat in the decanter for another hour before we got back to it and had steadily evolved and improved. Not an overpowering wine, but just a joy to drink. Give it a 2 hour decant and you're set. I can see this wine aging another 10 years, but can't envision it getting much better. I wouldn't hold back. Solid 93.
Note: The cork completely crumbled when opening, but the wine was fine. The wax capsule sealed the wine perfectly, but had hardened and may have prevented the cork from easily sliding out. Recommend trimming the wax to clear the cork before attempting to open.
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2009 Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard
12/31/2021 - Marsman Likes this wine: 97 Points
In my 2018 review, I stated I didn't think this wine could get much better. Well, it did. An impressive wine, consumed after 30 minutes in the decanter. I haven't had a Napa cab much better than this. Using my unsophisticated rating system, I give this a 97, which allows for the possibility. Great bottle of wine.
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1995 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
10/27/2019 - Marsman Likes this wine: 93 Points
A thirty minute decant in the glass yielded a slight aroma and taste of brett and other unsettled flavors. Not surprising for a wine awakened after a nearly 25 year slumber. Another 30 minutes in the glass and the funkiness gave way to nicely emerging fruit and integrated tannins in an excellent old world style. Subtle, smooth, nicely layered and well built. A silky, sophisticated wine. The rest of the bottle sat in the decanter for another hour before we got back to it and had steadily evolved and improved. Not an overpowering wine, but just a joy to drink. Give it a 2 hour decant and you're set. I can see this wine aging another 10 years, but can't envision it getting much better. I wouldn't hold back. Solid 93.
Note: The cork completely crumbled when opening, but the wine was fine. The wax capsule sealed the wine perfectly, but had hardened and may have prevented the cork from easily sliding out. Recommend trimming the wax to clear the cork before attempting to open.
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2014 Textbook Cabernet Sauvignon Mise en Place
10/2/2019 - Marsman Likes this wine: 91 Points
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