Very nice for an off vintage. A bit less fruity than most “Rock Blocks” and heavier on the earthy, mossy, forest floor characteristics. But still full bodied, more so than I remembered from the last bottle. Some red fruit and plum shows through on a medium finish.
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Wow, harsh reviews for this from recent notes. Nine year old wine from off vintage but pour down the drain? Brick color in glass, subtle nose of floral notes with earthy tobacco. Tannins super mellow at this point, but still some jammy fruits. Probably past prime but enjoyed with steak dinner.
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Not worth the calories to drink so I dumped it and opened something else. Thin, herbal and still a little tannic. I like this winery so I will assume it's a 2011 thing.
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I have had better “Rock Blocks” but will chalk this up to the thin 2011 vintage. Decanted for almost 3 hours before drinking. Medium cherry color with cherry and raspberry on the palate. Medium to light body with a medium and almost sweet finish. Not sure what the blend on this was but had a bit of a “green” or vegetal note. None the less, was looking for something bright and fruity to go with hor d’oeuvres and this fit the bill,
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Medium bodied Cab with hints of cranberries and cherries; a slight bit of tartness with subtle tannins and a hint of oak. Overall an enjoyable wine that isn’t really “over the top” in any aspects of its flavor profile.
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Decanted 1.5hrs, drank with grilled hangar steak. Drinking well for an 11, but could wait a bit more - a bit tight at the end. Brighter and not as bold as the `10 or `12 rock block. Dark garnet in color with very long legs, nice dark red fruit. A bit of minerality. Good structure, but not an incredibly long finish.
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Hyper concentrated concord grape, black currant, glycerine, bourbon, vanilla, loads of new oak. Extremely hot. More or less everything to be expected from a super young Stag's Leap Cabernet. Shows good potential if any fans of wines like this have the patience or prudence to wait for at least ten years. Tannins actually weren't bad and a surprising degree of minerality made it through.
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Lots of potential but not lots of show right now. It's currently a boring wine - well made but boring. Deep dark fruits that express very little. Finish is short. Tannins are still a bit grippy. Didn't deepen or get more expressive over two days. I'd leave in the cellar for a few years.
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Blind Cali Reds (Washington, DC): Violet-magenta color. The fruit aromas dark and deep, currant jam, dark plum skins, blackberries, but there’s also a lot of cedar, forest floor, roasted coffee and some bell pepper. Lots of grippy tannins on the palate, but balance comes from the acid, and the wine shows a velvety feel. I could write an essay on the textural elements of this wine. The black currant and black cherry fruit is pure, deep but also tangy. Integrated notes of cedar and vanilla, matched by sweet oregano and pepper. Very complex, deserving a long sleep, but a very special wine. Aged 18 months in 50% new French oak, a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec and 3% Merlot.
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9/9/2020 - iamandyc Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is getting better and better with age. Really nice rich fruit for the vintage. Great structure. Smooth finish. Seems to be in its prime.
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4/25/2020 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 89 Points
Very nice for an off vintage. A bit less fruity than most “Rock Blocks” and heavier on the earthy, mossy, forest floor characteristics. But still full bodied, more so than I remembered from the last bottle. Some red fruit and plum shows through on a medium finish.
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2/19/2020 - ralstenm Likes this wine: 90 Points
Wow, harsh reviews for this from recent notes. Nine year old wine from off vintage but pour down the drain? Brick color in glass, subtle nose of floral notes with earthy tobacco. Tannins super mellow at this point, but still some jammy fruits. Probably past prime but enjoyed with steak dinner.
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12/18/2019 - bobh22314 Does not like this wine: 82 Points
Brown to the rim. No fruit left but still some tannins. Short bitter finish.
Tossing this one and moving to a 2009 spottswoode
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3/7/2019 - Chris Davis LCF Does not like this wine: 78 Points
Not worth the calories to drink so I dumped it and opened something else. Thin, herbal and still a little tannic. I like this winery so I will assume it's a 2011 thing.
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3/10/2018 - wconnolly wrote: 89 Points
I have had better “Rock Blocks” but will chalk this up to the thin 2011 vintage. Decanted for almost 3 hours before drinking. Medium cherry color with cherry and raspberry on the palate. Medium to light body with a medium and almost sweet finish. Not sure what the blend on this was but had a bit of a “green” or vegetal note. None the less, was looking for something bright and fruity to go with hor d’oeuvres and this fit the bill,
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12/27/2017 - sguterres Likes this wine: 92 Points
Medium bodied Cab with hints of cranberries and cherries; a slight bit of tartness with subtle tannins and a hint of oak. Overall an enjoyable wine that isn’t really “over the top” in any aspects of its flavor profile.
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11/12/2016 - flashvictor Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really good for an '11. Recommend an hour decant.
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9/3/2016 - RossiRosso Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted 1.5hrs, drank with grilled hangar steak. Drinking well for an 11, but could wait a bit more - a bit tight at the end. Brighter and not as bold as the `10 or `12 rock block. Dark garnet in color with very long legs, nice dark red fruit. A bit of minerality. Good structure, but not an incredibly long finish.
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12/20/2015 - Trolson wrote: 78 Points
I agree with recent assessment: should have been better for price. Bland, nothing noteworthy. No finish, no body. Same experience year earlier.
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12/5/2015 - Montaniel Likes this wine: 90 Points
It should have been better for the price....
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11/27/2015 - The Vines That Bind wrote: 89 Points
Hyper concentrated concord grape, black currant, glycerine, bourbon, vanilla, loads of new oak. Extremely hot. More or less everything to be expected from a super young Stag's Leap Cabernet. Shows good potential if any fans of wines like this have the patience or prudence to wait for at least ten years. Tannins actually weren't bad and a surprising degree of minerality made it through.
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7/20/2015 - Trolson wrote: 88 Points
Good, not great, with very dry finish.
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5/20/2014 - iamandyc wrote: 89 Points
Lots of potential but not lots of show right now. It's currently a boring wine - well made but boring. Deep dark fruits that express very little. Finish is short. Tannins are still a bit grippy. Didn't deepen or get more expressive over two days. I'd leave in the cellar for a few years.
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5/9/2014 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 93 Points
Blind Cali Reds (Washington, DC): Violet-magenta color. The fruit aromas dark and deep, currant jam, dark plum skins, blackberries, but there’s also a lot of cedar, forest floor, roasted coffee and some bell pepper. Lots of grippy tannins on the palate, but balance comes from the acid, and the wine shows a velvety feel. I could write an essay on the textural elements of this wine. The black currant and black cherry fruit is pure, deep but also tangy. Integrated notes of cedar and vanilla, matched by sweet oregano and pepper. Very complex, deserving a long sleep, but a very special wine. Aged 18 months in 50% new French oak, a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec and 3% Merlot.
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4/27/2014 - BeachBum_73 wrote: 91 Points
Raspberry, cassis, tobacco. Lots of pepper on the quick finish.
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