I liked this. Decanted 1 hour and began. The nose was a nice blend of loam, a bit of tobacco, and a bit of eucalyptic…cherry notes came in about a half hour later. If tasted blind and I was asked “do you think this is Rutherford or Oakville?” I would have said yes indeed. That melange of loamy tobacco eucalyptic with some fruit thrown is something I’ve loved for 40 years now. (“Rutherford dust” is a thing of course, but the geology of the better vineyards of R. & O. aren’t that different). In the mouth, the oak had the upper hand at first, my wife commented that it’s very dry and maybe cedary. Things balanced out with a bit more air, by the 2 hour mark, the wood subsided, the mouthfeel was rounder., and some fruit came out. The tannins were there but in the background IMO. I need to get more of this. I think 2 more years to resolve the (not overpowering) oak and this will be worth another point or 2. It’s listed for $60 at a National Chain, I think I got it with a $20 off an over $50 purchase. At $60, you could say competitively priced; at $40…very good QPR. I’d buy a few even @ 20% off, or $48.
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I kind of agree pretty much with Caspernicks comments below. Fruity nose, I did not get any oaky/ cedary notes. A bit licorice, maybe candied but not in your face like many others at this price point. I also did get just a touch of that dusty, olivy, eucalyptic note I find in many Napa Cabs…not enough to say “oh, this is Napa”. But just enough of a whiff to say “well, I won’t rule Napa out”. Perspective. Fruity and a bit creamy taste, medium weight, short slightly tannic finish. Pleasant actually. I did a standard decant and began at 45 minutes. It improved a bit over time, but here is maybe the best part, it did not deteriorate when we finished at about 21/4- 2 1/2 hours. Many bottling at this price start out okay and then slide off gradually and steadily. This did not. Will buy more for a mid week, non contemplative sip.
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2020 Courtney Benham Cabernet Sauvignon Terroir Expression Series Rutherford
1/6/2024 - guydavidnewhouse Likes this wine: 92 Points
I liked this. Decanted 1 hour and began. The nose was a nice blend of loam, a bit of tobacco, and a bit of eucalyptic…cherry notes came in about a half hour later. If tasted blind and I was asked “do you think this is Rutherford or Oakville?” I would have said yes indeed. That melange of loamy tobacco eucalyptic with some fruit thrown is something I’ve loved for 40 years now. (“Rutherford dust” is a thing of course, but the geology of the better vineyards of R. & O. aren’t that different). In the mouth, the oak had the upper hand at first, my wife commented that it’s very dry and maybe cedary. Things balanced out with a bit more air, by the 2 hour mark, the wood subsided, the mouthfeel was rounder., and some fruit came out. The tannins were there but in the background IMO. I need to get more of this. I think 2 more years to resolve the (not overpowering) oak and this will be worth another point or 2. It’s listed for $60 at a National Chain, I think I got it with a $20 off an over $50 purchase. At $60, you could say competitively priced; at $40…very good QPR. I’d buy a few even @ 20% off, or $48.
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2021 Aldi Cabernet Sauvignon Specially Selected
11/3/2023 - guydavidnewhouse Likes this wine: 88 Points
I kind of agree pretty much with Caspernicks comments below. Fruity nose, I did not get any oaky/ cedary notes. A bit licorice, maybe candied but not in your face like many others at this price point. I also did get just a touch of that dusty, olivy, eucalyptic note I find in many Napa Cabs…not enough to say “oh, this is Napa”. But just enough of a whiff to say “well, I won’t rule Napa out”. Perspective. Fruity and a bit creamy taste, medium weight, short slightly tannic finish. Pleasant actually. I did a standard decant and began at 45 minutes. It improved a bit over time, but here is maybe the best part, it did not deteriorate when we finished at about 21/4- 2 1/2 hours. Many bottling at this price start out okay and then slide off gradually and steadily. This did not. Will buy more for a mid week, non contemplative sip.
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2019 Honig Cabernet Sauvignon
10/18/2023 - guydavidnewhouse Likes this wine: 91 Points
Regarding previous note. I meant a solid BUT not spectacular effort. Sorry if any confusion.
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