Wow. Very deceptive wine. Looking at the bottle, you think this is going to be your typical, cloyingly sweet, California butter-bomb. Couldn't be more mistaken. It is massive, with a very hearty mouth-feel, but that's where the comparisons end. There's the slightest bit of oak, but its so balanced with acidity, deceptively noticable minerality, and plenty of that good acidic tropical fruit essence. I agree with the reviewer who said to drink it cool. The booziness and the mouthfeel may overwhelm it otherwise. Just a fantastic bottle. It was shared amongst 8 friends, and everyone loved it. Need to get more...
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Still one of my favorites. Very "Cabby" Should be opened with plenty of time. Well balanced fruit, red, blue, and blackberries. Tobacco. A little leather. Nice balance with good structure. Not the old world tannins, but a lot for a Cali Cab. Really is one of my favorites.
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We opened and decanted a good 3 hours before drinking. Really is a must. I took a sip right after opening, and it was so barnyard/brambly, that it really was hard to get anything else. After it opened up (and with food) it ended up being just fantastic. Was drinking just right. Even though this is not really a "great vintage", it presented very well. Very brambly, even after 3 hours. Leathery. A little tobacco, and very dark, tart fruit. Nice and light with the 12.5% ABV. Well balanced, with good acid. Not a super long finish, but respectable. It really sang when complimenting braised meats. Really was a great wine experience.
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2005 Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay Rancho Santa Rosa
1/2/2010 - lrperkins wrote: 94 Points
Wow. Very deceptive wine. Looking at the bottle, you think this is going to be your typical, cloyingly sweet, California butter-bomb. Couldn't be more mistaken. It is massive, with a very hearty mouth-feel, but that's where the comparisons end. There's the slightest bit of oak, but its so balanced with acidity, deceptively noticable minerality, and plenty of that good acidic tropical fruit essence. I agree with the reviewer who said to drink it cool. The booziness and the mouthfeel may overwhelm it otherwise. Just a fantastic bottle. It was shared amongst 8 friends, and everyone loved it. Need to get more...
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2003 Frank Family Vineyards Winston Hill
5/1/2009 - lrperkins wrote: 94 Points
Still one of my favorites. Very "Cabby" Should be opened with plenty of time. Well balanced fruit, red, blue, and blackberries. Tobacco. A little leather. Nice balance with good structure. Not the old world tannins, but a lot for a Cali Cab. Really is one of my favorites.
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1994 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
5/1/2009 - lrperkins wrote: 95 Points
We opened and decanted a good 3 hours before drinking. Really is a must. I took a sip right after opening, and it was so barnyard/brambly, that it really was hard to get anything else. After it opened up (and with food) it ended up being just fantastic. Was drinking just right. Even though this is not really a "great vintage", it presented very well. Very brambly, even after 3 hours. Leathery. A little tobacco, and very dark, tart fruit. Nice and light with the 12.5% ABV. Well balanced, with good acid. Not a super long finish, but respectable. It really sang when complimenting braised meats. Really was a great wine experience.
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