It's in an amazing drinking plateau. Tastes real. It's color is still alive with purple and orange brick. Reminds me of the '85 Montelena Estate. It has aromas of eucalyptus, tobacco, mint, chocolate and tastes of delicious cassis, eucalyptus, cherry, plum, garrigue, bitter marjoram, tobacco, leather, soft extract of herbs. It is very smooth with fully integrated tannins. As I drink more there is a lovely gripping of soft, astringent, perfectly aged tannins From a decade of Cali crafting tastes, this wine stayed real and old world to where it's shining 22 years later. Well done! Tasted this same vintage last year and noticed zero changes. As it opens up I love the dusty tastes that come forward, the chalk tannins and spice of desert after a rain. Fantastic value, if you can find it. 8/10.
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Visited this winery in 1997 and have been buying this wine whenever I see it on sale. Bought this for $30. First vintage of this was 1984 (besides this vintage, I've had the 1993, 2003, 2006 and 2008). 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French oak. Not decanted. Mild sediment. This was still drinking well. Mild and integrated tannins. Notes of cocoa, red berries and plums. Smooth finish. I've always enjoyed this wine. 90 points.
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6/27/2021 - Vino Me wrote: 93 Points
Last bottle and the best showing. Smooth and elegant. 93 points
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9/6/2020 - edjBoca Likes this wine: 93 Points
Elegant and long ...medium body...beautiful fruit that took a few hours open to shine....
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3/12/2019 - Caliwinekillers Does not like this wine: 83 Points
Straight prune juice. Revisited over 2 days just to see. Never improves.
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3/31/2018 - Fractalage Likes this wine: 91 Points
It's in an amazing drinking plateau. Tastes real. It's color is still alive with purple and orange brick. Reminds me of the '85 Montelena Estate. It has aromas of eucalyptus, tobacco, mint, chocolate and tastes of delicious cassis, eucalyptus, cherry, plum, garrigue, bitter marjoram, tobacco, leather, soft extract of herbs. It is very smooth with fully integrated tannins. As I drink more there is a lovely gripping of soft, astringent, perfectly aged tannins
From a decade of Cali crafting tastes, this wine stayed real and old world to where it's shining 22 years later. Well done!
Tasted this same vintage last year and noticed zero changes.
As it opens up I love the dusty tastes that come forward, the chalk tannins and spice of desert after a rain.
Fantastic value, if you can find it.
8/10.
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6/29/2017 - Vino Me wrote: 90 Points
Visited this winery in 1997 and have been buying this wine whenever I see it on sale. Bought this for $30. First vintage of this was 1984 (besides this vintage, I've had the 1993, 2003, 2006 and 2008). 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French oak. Not decanted. Mild sediment. This was still drinking well. Mild and integrated tannins. Notes of cocoa, red berries and plums. Smooth finish. I've always enjoyed this wine. 90 points.
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