I thought this was still drinking OK, although not outstanding. Still always felt this wine was the best value for Napa Cabs. I still have two more bottles left and will probably move them forward on my to drink list before they aren't as good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A thoroughly enjoyable Napa Cab, which finally shows great balance and finesse after 8 years. Ripe black fruit, tobacco and subtle baking spices. The nose is still developing. Dry, but with nice black fruit; med acid and med to med (+) tannins. The alcohol appears a tad lighter than 14.5%. Full-bodied without being overbearing, it is great with food or by itself. It is fully in its optimal drinking window of which a couple of years are still left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I bought this based on past vintages and I like most 2011 cabs for short term drinking. This however is not to my liking, brink able though. A bit hot and not well balanced in its fruit forward fashion.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of black cherries, black berries and currants. Flavors of black cherries, black berries and plums. Medium acidity, firm tannins, full bodied. Drink over the next 4-5 years. If opening now give it a brief splash decant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
So there has to be a touch of bottle variation here because this was still very good and I've had the cru many many times but this bottle was just a bit off. Not corked or spoiled in any way just not all together there. Somewhat disjointed and awry. Now after it was decanted for about 30 minutes it started to come together but it never was on the same page as the other crus. Like I said it has to be some bottle variation.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
There is a reason I keep a case of this around 24/7. It's at a great price point and very good. There is not much bottle variation but I know if I want a solid cab with my meal or I need to go somewhere and only want to take a $50 bottle with me then this is my goto. My other is a Groth because for the price it is one of my favorites too.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Is there a better daily drinker? I'd argue not. At least this is at the top of my daily drinking list along with the Seavey merlot and mt brave cab & merlot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Initially loaded with oak on the nose. Almost too much where it was overpowering. I actually only had one glass and then sealed it with a vacu vin. I finished it last night and it was great. Lots of sediment here. The oak was still present but not as overpowering. Loaded with black fruit, plum, black cherry, blueberry almost pie like but not overly sweet. Nicely integrated tannins and overall good depth and complexity. Very nice finish as well. For a daily drinker this is pretty darn good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The 93 factors into the fact that the QPR is just stupid. Love this wine. The depth and complexity and for the price how can you not love it. I have nothing left to say but big and seductive. Drink it now or hold it for 5 years. Either way this is a keeper.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2/15/2023 - PensFan wrote: 88 Points
I thought this was still drinking OK, although not outstanding. Still always felt this wine was the best value for Napa Cabs. I still have two more bottles left and will probably move them forward on my to drink list before they aren't as good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/18/2020 - TannicBeast Likes this wine: 91 Points
A thoroughly enjoyable Napa Cab, which finally shows great balance and finesse after 8 years. Ripe black fruit, tobacco and subtle baking spices. The nose is still developing. Dry, but with nice black fruit; med acid and med to med (+) tannins. The alcohol appears a tad lighter than 14.5%. Full-bodied without being overbearing, it is great with food or by itself. It is fully in its optimal drinking window of which a couple of years are still left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/22/2017 - SaraAndMark wrote: 84 Points
Very dry and very little fruit... it is drinkable, but there isn't a lot of excitement to it...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/19/2017 - waywardsailor wrote: 91 Points
I like it as far as California cabs go. Fruit not overbearing. Could see this as an every day drinking wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/17/2016 - Mtpisgah wrote:
I bought this based on past vintages and I like most 2011 cabs for short term drinking. This however is not to my liking, brink able though. A bit hot and not well balanced in its fruit forward fashion.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/28/2016 - Rktekt3 wrote: 84 Points
Good Lord. Thank God this is my last 2011 Cru
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/19/2016 - grumi62 wrote: 90 Points
was great
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/12/2015 - Rktekt3 wrote: 87 Points
Thank God I only paid $32 for this.
2011 has been just not a good year at all.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/6/2015 - JDV.DDSPHD wrote: 91 Points
Always good
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/27/2015 - GTFreek wrote:
Classic nose, oak, baking spice, black fruit. Palate is savory, delicious, black plum, blackberry, cassis, spice, fresh tobacco, sour earth, acidity medium, finish med plus, tannins med plus. Showy style, exactly what you'd expect from producer and price point. Drink now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/6/2015 - JDV.DDSPHD Likes this wine: 90 Points
Always good. Notes conistent with last time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/24/2015 - Sharmajd wrote: 89 Points
Dark ruby color with a nose that tends towards the black fruit spectrum. Linear fruit bomb, nicely integrated tannins. Medium finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/17/2015 - JDV.DDSPHD Likes this wine: 91 Points
Not going to write a lot here as I've made multiple notes. Always good and always consistent. Anywhere from 91-93 pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2014 - pdecker78 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Deep dark color with some nice tannins.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/14/2014 - wineismylife wrote: 90 Points
WIML90
Tasted non blind.
Dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of black cherries, black berries and currants. Flavors of black cherries, black berries and plums. Medium acidity, firm tannins, full bodied. Drink over the next 4-5 years. If opening now give it a brief splash decant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/1/2014 - JDV.DDSPHD Likes this wine: 89 Points
So there has to be a touch of bottle variation here because this was still very good and I've had the cru many many times but this bottle was just a bit off. Not corked or spoiled in any way just not all together there. Somewhat disjointed and awry. Now after it was decanted for about 30 minutes it started to come together but it never was on the same page as the other crus. Like I said it has to be some bottle variation.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/17/2014 - JDV.DDSPHD Likes this wine: 91 Points
There is a reason I keep a case of this around 24/7. It's at a great price point and very good. There is not much bottle variation but I know if I want a solid cab with my meal or I need to go somewhere and only want to take a $50 bottle with me then this is my goto. My other is a Groth because for the price it is one of my favorites too.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/7/2014 - jovino Likes this wine: 90 Points
This never had a chance following the sensational Arietta Quartet, but it was exactly the big solid cab that makes Cru a winner year after year.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/27/2014 - JDV.DDSPHD wrote: 92 Points
Is there a better daily drinker? I'd argue not. At least this is at the top of my daily drinking list along with the Seavey merlot and mt brave cab & merlot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/9/2014 - JDV.DDSPHD wrote: 90 Points
Solid. Notes consisten with last time. Great daily drinker.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/25/2014 - wmccone54 wrote: 91 Points
GEMS on Tour 2014-Austin (Red Room Lounge): Similar to my tasting note from April 20th. Solid.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/20/2014 - wmccone54 wrote: 91 Points
Restaurant purchase with Easter Sunday brunch at Fleming's. Decanted. Rich, dark, and solid. Definitely will look to purchase in the future.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/21/2014 - JDV.DDSPHD Likes this wine: 92 Points
Initially loaded with oak on the nose. Almost too much where it was overpowering. I actually only had one glass and then sealed it with a vacu vin. I finished it last night and it was great. Lots of sediment here. The oak was still present but not as overpowering. Loaded with black fruit, plum, black cherry, blueberry almost pie like but not overly sweet. Nicely integrated tannins and overall good depth and complexity. Very nice finish as well. For a daily drinker this is pretty darn good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/26/2013 - soyhead Likes this wine:
very juicy and lively, great fruit, nicely balanced and not overdone
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/26/2013 - JDV.DDSPHD Likes this wine: 93 Points
The 93 factors into the fact that the QPR is just stupid. Love this wine. The depth and complexity and for the price how can you not love it. I have nothing left to say but big and seductive. Drink it now or hold it for 5 years. Either way this is a keeper.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment