Popped n poured first night, good structure, prominent dark fruit, baking spice finish, lovely. Decanted night 2 and like this even more, though it’s less “Cabernet” - feels thinner (in a good way), more tart (in a good way), more aromatic/perfumed. Really digging this.
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This wine hitting its stride now. Not as lean as first bottle, hard edges have softened, still juicy and lively in mouth but more in balance. Finish seems fuller and longer. Very enjoyable.
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-- decanted 1 hour before initial taste -- -- tasted non-blind over a couple hours --
NOSE: initially grapey, like a Beaujolais; apple/plum/cotton candy melangé; medium expressiveness; new plastic/school paste note after a couple hours open; somewhat crazy and wild strawberry aroma, complicated by hints of curry powder and lavender after a few hours. This evolved in the glass, and has lots to offer.
BODY: a bit hazy, but relatively clear for a D&R wine; medium-light bodied; violet-garnet color of medium depth.
TASTE: medium concentration of fruit; fine, drying tannins; high acidity --- way high for a Cabernet; general red/purple fruit flavor --- can't pick out any specific varieties; 13.5% alc. not noticeable; medium-light oak (which is probably what gives the slight smoky edge to this wine); this is easily one of my top two D&R reds I've had; I would struggle mightily to call this a Cabernet Sauvignon if somebody gave this to me blind, but that's okay because it's downright delicious!; drinks well now, but I do think it will evolve positively on the strength of its acid. Drink Now – 2027.
50, 5, 13, 17, 8 = 93
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An acid head favorite. 13.5%abv which is off the charts low for modern day cabs coming out of California. Nice deep red/plum color. Nose jumps out of the glass. Wonderful cab nose, leaner side but great fruit, cedar, spice. Be prepared: In the mouth this baby is all acid and tannin on the initial attack. Legs in glass illustrate the structure offered. Red fruit obvious, tannins soften after 30 sec, choc chip cookie, plum on finish.
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12/29/2023 - Bakerbd wrote: flawed
Corked
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10/21/2019 - Biskuit Likes this wine: 92 Points
Popped n poured first night, good structure, prominent dark fruit, baking spice finish, lovely. Decanted night 2 and like this even more, though it’s less “Cabernet” - feels thinner (in a good way), more tart (in a good way), more aromatic/perfumed. Really digging this.
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7/25/2018 - dclaggett Likes this wine: 90 Points
This wine hitting its stride now. Not as lean as first bottle, hard edges have softened, still juicy and lively in mouth but more in balance. Finish seems fuller and longer. Very enjoyable.
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8/1/2017 - grafstrb wrote: 93 Points
-- decanted 1 hour before initial taste --
-- tasted non-blind over a couple hours --
NOSE: initially grapey, like a Beaujolais; apple/plum/cotton candy melangé; medium expressiveness; new plastic/school paste note after a couple hours open; somewhat crazy and wild strawberry aroma, complicated by hints of curry powder and lavender after a few hours. This evolved in the glass, and has lots to offer.
BODY: a bit hazy, but relatively clear for a D&R wine; medium-light bodied; violet-garnet color of medium depth.
TASTE: medium concentration of fruit; fine, drying tannins; high acidity --- way high for a Cabernet; general red/purple fruit flavor --- can't pick out any specific varieties; 13.5% alc. not noticeable; medium-light oak (which is probably what gives the slight smoky edge to this wine); this is easily one of my top two D&R reds I've had; I would struggle mightily to call this a Cabernet Sauvignon if somebody gave this to me blind, but that's okay because it's downright delicious!; drinks well now, but I do think it will evolve positively on the strength of its acid. Drink Now – 2027.
50, 5, 13, 17, 8 = 93
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5/24/2017 - dclaggett Likes this wine: 88 Points
An acid head favorite. 13.5%abv which is off the charts low for modern day cabs coming out of California. Nice deep red/plum color. Nose jumps out of the glass. Wonderful cab nose, leaner side but great fruit, cedar, spice. Be prepared: In the mouth this baby is all acid and tannin on the initial attack. Legs in glass illustrate the structure offered. Red fruit obvious, tannins soften after 30 sec, choc chip cookie, plum on finish.
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