A winery direct bottle with perfect provenance since release. My good drinking friends know what I think of California wines that sell themselves as Bordeaux and every time we come across a bottle like this, I get to say, I told you so. While there are a few exceptions and surprises out there, I say, embrace yourself and just be you. This is far from a Bordeaux, yet its a delicious left bank inspired wine with a much higher dose of Cabernet Franc, which could make the argument that this is a right banked left banker. However, those green tobacco notes never came through the 15.1% ABV wine. This is clearly in its sunset years, judging by the lackluster appearance and If I had more of this, I would drink it soon. I have never been impressed with this producer and if I owned this (which thankfully I dont), I would drink them in their incredible youthful, playful stage (within the first 7-10 years). Its clearly resolved, harmonious, and delicious, but If you sold one of these, you could probably buy 3 better bottles of wine. This was totally outclassed by a 2007 Favia right next to it. Maybe it's because the Favia was embracing its placement in the world, and just shining as itself. Thanks to my friend for opening this bottle for us. DRINK
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Dark ruby color, with dark cherries, graphite, and plum on the nose, with secondary notes of green pepper and forest floor. Ripe cherries, blackberries, cassis, chocolate, spice, and figs flow smoothly across the palate to a long, mouth coating finish. I poured from the bottle and it opened immediately. This wine has aged really well, and is still drinking beautifully, even though it is past its drinking window. Rich, ripe, full and round, this is lush and opulent. I am running out of adjectives to describe this, but you get the picture. Delicious!
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Consistent with earlier tastings. Tasted at our Pour Boys end of summer wine dinner. https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2023/09/pour-boys-end-of-summer-23-wine-dinner.html
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As always, love this wine. I always think of this being one of the most "old world" tasting CA cabs... but drinking side by side with a lot of aged BDX, I could definitely tell its contemporary Cali roots. But excellent! Drank from magnum.
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1/26/2024 - Purple Tooth wrote: 93 Points
A winery direct bottle with perfect provenance since release. My good drinking friends know what I think of California wines that sell themselves as Bordeaux and every time we come across a bottle like this, I get to say, I told you so. While there are a few exceptions and surprises out there, I say, embrace yourself and just be you. This is far from a Bordeaux, yet its a delicious left bank inspired wine with a much higher dose of Cabernet Franc, which could make the argument that this is a right banked left banker. However, those green tobacco notes never came through the 15.1% ABV wine. This is clearly in its sunset years, judging by the lackluster appearance and If I had more of this, I would drink it soon. I have never been impressed with this producer and if I owned this (which thankfully I dont), I would drink them in their incredible youthful, playful stage (within the first 7-10 years). Its clearly resolved, harmonious, and delicious, but If you sold one of these, you could probably buy 3 better bottles of wine. This was totally outclassed by a 2007 Favia right next to it. Maybe it's because the Favia was embracing its placement in the world, and just shining as itself. Thanks to my friend for opening this bottle for us. DRINK
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1/18/2024 - cjoetucker@aol.com Likes this wine: 96 Points
Dark ruby color, with dark cherries, graphite, and plum on the nose, with secondary notes of green pepper and forest floor. Ripe cherries, blackberries, cassis, chocolate, spice, and figs flow smoothly across the palate to a long, mouth coating finish.
I poured from the bottle and it opened immediately.
This wine has aged really well, and is still drinking beautifully, even though it is past its drinking window. Rich, ripe, full and round, this is lush and opulent. I am running out of adjectives to describe this, but you get the picture. Delicious!
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9/5/2023 - rmcnees Likes this wine: 94 Points
Consistent with earlier tastings. Tasted at our Pour Boys end of summer wine dinner.
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2023/09/pour-boys-end-of-summer-23-wine-dinner.html
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12/17/2022 - Edclr Likes this wine: 95 Points
Beautiful bottle, right in its prime for a mag. Didn’t take long to open, lots of cab franc and merlot. Tannins we’re very soft, long finish.
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12/14/2022 - tcarter Likes this wine: 94 Points
As always, love this wine. I always think of this being one of the most "old world" tasting CA cabs... but drinking side by side with a lot of aged BDX, I could definitely tell its contemporary Cali roots. But excellent! Drank from magnum.
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