Took about an hour to two hours to open and lose a slight edge and reveal nicely balanced fruit - black berry and black cherry followed by a bit of currant turning to subtle mocha with soft tannins on the nice balanced finish.
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This wine was decanted for 1 hour before consumption. Nose was still pretty tight, small amounts of plum and Asian spice coming through. Nice cedar box wood component with tobacco, saddle leather and tar. On the palate at first it was rather tough. Lots of spice and tobacco was shielding the fruit. Maybe even a touch of heat at 13.5%. After some time in the glass this opened up. Showing really pretty raspberries on the nose with a touch of underlying cherries. On the palate a mix of plum and raspberry reduction sauce. This wine was really good for an off year in Napa. Good structure and holding up nicely. I don’t think the best years are behind this at all. This could last for another 5 years.
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Very smooth and ready to drink. Definitely a table wine that does not have a lot of punch to it. Resolved tannin structure, smokiness, and deep red fruits. Good for a '98.
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13.5% alcohol. cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, petit verdot.
what a pleasant surprise. the wine has vibrancy and nice fruit, as well as a pleasing finish. really, what else can you ask for, especially from this much maligned vintage? the wine is such an over achiever that i can't wait to spring it on my double blind tasting group. i've rather lost track of this producer, and this tells me i may be making a mistake. it will keep a little longer, but i say drink up and enjoy it at it's peak.
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Elegant Bouquet followed by cherry, blackberry and chocolate. The wine has a velvety texture with a nice finish. Very soft. I like it better than the Viader Cabernet.
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Dark purple, leggy in the glass. Chocolate, slight cedar, plumb scent after a swirl. THin on the palate, nothing particularly standing out. Plenty of tannin finish. Either needs more time in bottle or time in a decanter. I sampled this right out of the bottle but the rest in in my Reidel Duck. Will check it out in an hour or so.
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Auction dinner with Delia Viader.Drinking well young. Good color and spice on nose with simple black fruit. Tastes of espresso and some chocolate. Good minerality on finish.
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1/28/2018 - kstoddard wrote:
Not a fan
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7/10/2014 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 90 Points
Lots of Cab Franc - bright cherry and herb...in solid balance and drinking well right now.
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5/26/2012 - gpatramanis Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark dark red - Cab franc influence. Excellent bouquet. Smooth, but Tannins still evident. Drinking beautifully now.
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5/21/2010 - rmcnees wrote: 89 Points
Took about an hour to two hours to open and lose a slight edge and reveal nicely balanced fruit - black berry and black cherry followed by a bit of currant turning to subtle mocha with soft tannins on the nice balanced finish.
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8/4/2008 - tyvoodoo wrote: 91 Points
This wine was decanted for 1 hour before consumption. Nose was still pretty tight, small amounts of plum and Asian spice coming through. Nice cedar box wood component with tobacco, saddle leather and tar. On the palate at first it was rather tough. Lots of spice and tobacco was shielding the fruit. Maybe even a touch of heat at 13.5%. After some time in the glass this opened up. Showing really pretty raspberries on the nose with a touch of underlying cherries. On the palate a mix of plum and raspberry reduction sauce. This wine was really good for an off year in Napa. Good structure and holding up nicely. I don’t think the best years are behind this at all. This could last for another 5 years.
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8/16/2007 - napaJ6 wrote: 90 Points
Very smooth and ready to drink. Definitely a table wine that does not have a lot of punch to it. Resolved tannin structure, smokiness, and deep red fruits. Good for a '98.
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9/9/2006 - jeff nowak wrote: 91 Points
13.5% alcohol. cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, petit verdot.
what a pleasant surprise. the wine has vibrancy and nice fruit, as well as a pleasing finish. really, what else can you ask for, especially from this much maligned vintage? the wine is such an over achiever that i can't wait to spring it on my double blind tasting group. i've rather lost track of this producer, and this tells me i may be making a mistake. it will keep a little longer, but i say drink up and enjoy it at it's peak.
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11/15/2005 - peterjanderson wrote: 95 Points
Elegant Bouquet followed by cherry, blackberry and chocolate. The wine has a velvety texture with a nice finish. Very soft. I like it better than the Viader Cabernet.
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3/30/2005 - du Beaune wrote: 88 Points
Dark purple, leggy in the glass. Chocolate, slight cedar, plumb scent after a swirl. THin on the palate, nothing particularly standing out. Plenty of tannin finish. Either needs more time in bottle or time in a decanter. I sampled this right out of the bottle but the rest in in my Reidel Duck. Will check it out in an hour or so.
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4/4/2002 - Burgundy Al wrote: 89 Points
Auction dinner with Delia Viader.Drinking well young. Good color and spice on nose with simple black fruit. Tastes of espresso and some chocolate. Good minerality on finish.
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