2006 Del Dotto Cabernet Sauvignon Lot O Pritchard Hill

Community Tasting Notes (5) Avg Score: 89.2 points

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  11/1/2011 - tp096255 wrote: 93 Points

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  COLOR: Deep purple-crimson
  NOTE: Lovely from start to finish, with blackberry compote and cassis in the nose, hints of 60% cocoa powder, loamy, little leather. Mouth had a nicer structure and better integration than the last two bottles. Finish still had a bit of a kick of heat but all around this is the best of 3 though not as good as the barrel sample which prompted our purchase. I've bought a few wines based on barrel samples and I think I'll discontinue the practice. Too many things happen between the barrel and the bottle to make such an estimate. Way too expensive for what it was.
  
  DECANT: 1 hr
  GLASS USED: Bordeaux
  TASTE: 9.3-
  OTHER:
  COST: 90
  VALUE: 6.0
  PREVIOUSLY TASTED: 05/10
  TRY AGAIN: n/a
  PAIRING: cheese and salami
  Inquiries can be addressed to troypeterson@usa.net
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  5/13/2011 - golfwine wrote: 88 Points

  This was my last of 3 bottles; the previous two, unimpressionable. Immediately sensed the richness. Also, the utterly unique aromatics for which they've made their name - usually maple, bacon; this wine, oak-infused, butterscotch and kirsch. Clearly savory. Again, the richness really stands out. The acidity is subdued and the tannins nicely integrated with a sweet edge. The finish is long, with dusty black fruits. Definitely my favorite of the lot but not nearly worth the price ($80). (to many, likely a 90+pt. effort.)

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  9/12/2009 - golfwine wrote: 89 Points

  I've gained a bit higher level of respect/appreciation for this wine...To sum it up, it showed like a well-aged, pretty, finesse-y, meritage. As pointed out by one of the group, very similar in style to the Drinkward-Peschon. I loved the aromatics, which continued to blossom with each 10 min. interval. Worth the tarrif? I think not. Though there's likely a huge population out there who think I'm insulting. Different strokes...

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  3/21/2009 - godx wrote: 87 Points

  Tasted at winery – no formal note taken. Bright berries, vanilla oak and spice. Drink or hold. Good.

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  1/24/2009 - golfwine wrote: 89 Points

  This wine out of barrel, very literally wowed me and had me pining for more. Although it was much more fruit-dominant than the other samples of the afternoon, I could sense that it had enough structure for 2-4 years of serious development, yet would provide a chunky mouthful with a couple hours decanting, in the nearterm. Which is why I was so surprised that it was so approachable right out of the bottle...and less than 6months after I had the barrel sample. Sure it was round and "pretty"...and a very enjoyable bottle of wine but again, for an '06, hailing from Pritchard Hill; and right out of the bottle, I'd be lying if I didn't say that I expected much more. I now feel that I've had sufficient exposure to this producer's wines (out of barrel and bottle) to voice my opinion and unfortunately, I'm somewhat under-impressed. Although several of the VIP-member-only barrel samples I tasted appeared to have the requisite stuffing in support of their lofty prices ($85-$125/btl), as a mere generalization, I don't think that has translated to the bottle. At that price point and with their obsession with all things "custom-cuvee", I would expect structural "monuments" (a'la Keenan, Seavey, Newton) and I'm just not getting that. Similarly, I'm not getting the "wow" impression that I keep hoping for (a'la O'Shaunessy, Wolf Family).

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