1995 Thunder Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Bates Ranch

Community Tasting Notes (9) Avg Score: 89.6 points

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  10/21/2021 - tooch wrote: 97 Points

  Maybe I'm not overly picky when it comes to old school Cabernet wines, but this just hit so many high notes for me tonight. First of all, the cork was a mess. Totally crumbled so I decanted through wire mesh and then, again, through cheesecloth to get all the gunk out. While I was doing this an amazing bouquet of roses and lilacs wafted from the decanters. The nose had a very sweet, menthol & minty tang to it. Gorgeous. The palate was a hair riper than I had expected, but everything was in line. Great red fruit with hints of bell pepper and a heavy dose of florals. There was a hint of earthiness, but this was more about the red fruit/floral profile than anything else. I've loved these wines for a while now, so I admit some bias here, but it's hard for me to find fault here. Just a gorgeous cabernet drinking in its prime for those of us that prefer the understated instead of the bombastic.

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  11/12/2012 - tooch wrote: 92 Points

  Dinner at Sun Wah (Sun Wah BBQ - Chicago, IL): Loved the nose of dried cherries, eucalyptus, and earth on the nose. The palate was beautifully mature with dark fruit, spice and earth. Loved its elegance and poise.

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  11/13/2010 - ianinvirginia wrote:

  No score as this bottle was past its prime

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  11/25/2009 - jeff nowak wrote: 85 Points

  while on the surface, i applaud a 12.5% alcohol level in a cabernet, i think it has a tendency in napa to indicate an under ripe wine. color is reminiscent of a wine about 15 years old, with mild bricking at the rim, but a resistent midsection of nice garnet. i don't know if this is a blend, but it tastes like it, i.e. presents with a bordeaux profile. soft residual tannins, lacking fruit, but not green. about the best thing i can say about this is...it ain't parkerized.

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  9/29/2008 - Keith Levenberg wrote: 90 Points

  Much better than a few years ago, the fruit is starting to mellow out though it still retains a nice slick gloss that contributes to its drinkability. Once it gets into gear it becomes extremely supple with an intense mineral smack of iron. 12.5% alcohol!

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