Still one of the best Napa Cabernets for the money. 12 a fruity & very high yield vintage in Napa Valley.
12 is a fruit leaning vintage. It is juicy, ripe, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum pudding, some boysenberries, cedar, medium plus tannins, dry tobacco, leather, dry leaves, expresso, French barrel shavings, sandstone, dark, rich, sweet, turned earth, stems, black, rich, sweet earth, steeped tea, alluvial limestone minerals, baking spices, liquid, dark, red, purple flowers, w/ rainfall acidity and an elegant, rich, fruit driven finish that lasts nearly two-minutes.
12 a vintage to age, but not long age. Lacks the tannins to do what 13, 14 will.
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Flat out gorgeous. Inky purple color with a sweet but matured perfume nose. Wonderfully aged black fruit and tannins softened to perfection with tertiary layers of pencil and tar; just a wonderful experience from such a beautifully aged Napa wine with a lasting finish. This experience drives home the fact that any kind of decant from years earlier could never have replicated the traits of this wine that the natural aging process brought out. I wish I had bought more than this single bottle. This wine is either entering its peak or darn near at it, and I think it can age for another several years if one really wants to test it, although I see little reason in doing so at this point.! Stored in my basement cellar under optimal conditions since its purchase in 2015. Paired with beef cutlets and pasta w-sausage and buttered broccoli. 12-17-23 in Seoul.
Black fruit and anise on the nose, with some dried herbs that emerge with air. A bit hot, with some alcohol showing. Fairly primary black fruit on the palate initially, but over time more nuance emerges. Smooth mouthfeel with tannins that start rough and smooth out with more air. A nice wine that benefits from some decanting time.
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5/17/2024 - Somm David T Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still one of the best Napa Cabernets for the money. 12 a fruity & very high yield vintage in Napa Valley.
12 is a fruit leaning vintage. It is juicy, ripe, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum pudding, some boysenberries, cedar, medium plus tannins, dry tobacco, leather, dry leaves, expresso, French barrel shavings, sandstone, dark, rich, sweet, turned earth, stems, black, rich, sweet earth, steeped tea, alluvial limestone minerals, baking spices, liquid, dark, red, purple flowers, w/ rainfall acidity and an elegant, rich, fruit driven finish that lasts nearly two-minutes.
12 a vintage to age, but not long age. Lacks the tannins to do what 13, 14 will.
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2/5/2024 - gpcoleman Likes this wine: 93 Points
Exceptional Cab
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12/17/2023 - stschutz Likes this wine: 95 Points
Flat out gorgeous. Inky purple color with a sweet but matured perfume nose. Wonderfully aged black fruit and tannins softened to perfection with tertiary layers of pencil and tar; just a wonderful experience from such a beautifully aged Napa wine with a lasting finish. This experience drives home the fact that any kind of decant from years earlier could never have replicated the traits of this wine that the natural aging process brought out. I wish I had bought more than this single bottle. This wine is either entering its peak or darn near at it, and I think it can age for another several years if one really wants to test it, although I see little reason in doing so at this point.! Stored in my basement cellar under optimal conditions since its purchase in 2015. Paired with beef cutlets and pasta w-sausage and buttered broccoli. 12-17-23 in Seoul.
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11/3/2023 - bwillia Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wine of the night with the wine club and against some stiff competition too. So classic and good. Phelps makes quality juice.
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9/7/2023 - JCGuthrie wrote: 91 Points
Black fruit and anise on the nose, with some dried herbs that emerge with air. A bit hot, with some alcohol showing. Fairly primary black fruit on the palate initially, but over time more nuance emerges. Smooth mouthfeel with tannins that start rough and smooth out with more air. A nice wine that benefits from some decanting time.
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