It's the pleasant surprises that have the greatest impact. At 28 years, and especially after the cork disintegrated upon opening, I was more than a little surprised by how very good this was. Deep purple, not much color change. Some grassy elements on the nose but not unpleasant. What made this so good were the rich co-mingling flavors of dark fruit and mocha perfectly balanced and integrated with the scant remaining tannins. And it has a long finish. I can't imagine this staying this good for much longer, so I would drink what you have. Bravo! to those makers who fashioned this beauty.
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Dark colour. Some bricking. Dumb at first, once it opened up (1+ hours) it displayed cassis, dark fruit, minerality. Good lift. Long finish. Suspect it's on a down-slide so drink up! Still, impressive for a 27 year old wine
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Deep dark. Fragrant Dark berries and plums and plenty of dirt (terroir) on the nose. Smooth, dried blackberries and spearmint with a hint of bitter aftertaste. Longish finish . Good now. But the clock is ticking., I guesstimate another 2 years before it rolls over.
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Pretty much agree with BCharlieG's review of last year. Cork disintegrated, there was lots of sentiment and the tannins were reduced. However, the wine is not yet on the decline. Celebrated my youngest son's 21st birthday with this wine tonight.
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Corkbuzz Wine Studio NYC Back Vintage Wine Class (Corkbuzz - NYC): From Corkbuzz Wine Studio NYC Back Vintage Wine Class on 3/25/2013: This wine has evolved so nicely with age: The nose actually has a decent amount of heat left on it which surprised me some. The nose is cedar, wood plank, smokey notes of old leather. SO Oakville. Palate confirms the note but adds some secondary notes of spice box, tobacco, shoe leather. Someone added mole sauce which is an excellent descriptor. most interestingly, vegatal elements coming through here too which I'm not all that crazy about. Very bordeaux on how this wine has aged. Probably ready to be consumed now but could give it a little more time.
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Fruit was rather thin on this. Tannins are fully resolved and the wine is very soft. Good nose of delicate red fruits, menthol, mint and spice. Palate was nice, wine is medium bodied. Best years are behind this.
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My last bottle of this. It has drank quite well most of it's life. Today it showed signs of aging though the color remains purple with some ruby tinged edges at the rim. Showing considerable funkiness in the nose of earth, spice and tar. Faint aromas of cherry are present as well. There was very little oak profile left and the typical notes of vanilla and dill were, thankfully absent. The tannins are smooth and add to the silky mouthfeel. Structurally, this wine is still intact, though may be moving to the end of its drinking plateau. This wine was tasted along with a '88 Gruad Larose which helped to highlight the sweeter profile, I'm not sure I would have detected if drunk alone. The finish is of medium length and slightly drying.
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11/25/2023 - jusdavi wrote: 91 Points
wow, this was still alive and kicking from 1.5L. Drank over 4 hours and improved. No sediment. Drink up.
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10/31/2023 - cgoding6 Likes this wine:
Velvety
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9/30/2023 - cgoding6 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Opened up nicely after an hour decant
Leather, plum, oak
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2/3/2021 - In vino potestus est Likes this wine: 94 Points
It's the pleasant surprises that have the greatest impact. At 28 years, and especially after the cork disintegrated upon opening, I was more than a little surprised by how very good this was. Deep purple, not much color change. Some grassy elements on the nose but not unpleasant. What made this so good were the rich co-mingling flavors of dark fruit and mocha perfectly balanced and integrated with the scant remaining tannins. And it has a long finish. I can't imagine this staying this good for much longer, so I would drink what you have. Bravo! to those makers who fashioned this beauty.
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1/4/2020 - SadEdjo Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark colour. Some bricking. Dumb at first, once it opened up (1+ hours) it displayed cassis, dark fruit, minerality. Good lift. Long finish. Suspect it's on a down-slide so drink up! Still, impressive for a 27 year old wine
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11/18/2016 - In vino potestus est Likes this wine: 90 Points
Deep dark. Fragrant Dark berries and plums and plenty of dirt (terroir) on the nose. Smooth, dried blackberries and spearmint with a hint of bitter aftertaste. Longish finish . Good now. But the clock is ticking., I guesstimate another 2 years before it rolls over.
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11/6/2015 - jeginmt wrote: 93 Points
This Cab has matured into an excellent wine--rich fruit, very smooth and balanced.
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1/16/2014 - KSWinegeek wrote: 91 Points
Pretty much agree with BCharlieG's review of last year. Cork disintegrated, there was lots of sentiment and the tannins were reduced. However, the wine is not yet on the decline. Celebrated my youngest son's 21st birthday with this wine tonight.
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3/25/2013 - BCharlieG Likes this wine: 92 Points
Corkbuzz Wine Studio NYC Back Vintage Wine Class (Corkbuzz - NYC): From Corkbuzz Wine Studio NYC Back Vintage Wine Class on 3/25/2013: This wine has evolved so nicely with age: The nose actually has a decent amount of heat left on it which surprised me some. The nose is cedar, wood plank, smokey notes of old leather. SO Oakville. Palate confirms the note but adds some secondary notes of spice box, tobacco, shoe leather. Someone added mole sauce which is an excellent descriptor. most interestingly, vegatal elements coming through here too which I'm not all that crazy about. Very bordeaux on how this wine has aged. Probably ready to be consumed now but could give it a little more time.
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8/16/2012 - SparkDogg wrote: 90 Points
Cork disintegrated but still got better with time in a decanter. What a workhorse.
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1/28/2012 - JCDR wrote: 90 Points
quite nice...cork fell apart but wine was lovely. drink up.
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6/20/2010 - bwillia wrote: 90 Points
Just a beautiful resolved bottle of Cali Cab. Groth ages so gracefully.
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5/15/2009 - SparkDogg wrote: 91 Points
Wow - still drinking. Needs lot's of air time though.
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10/11/2008 - tyvoodoo wrote: 89 Points
Fruit was rather thin on this. Tannins are fully resolved and the wine is very soft. Good nose of delicate red fruits, menthol, mint and spice. Palate was nice, wine is medium bodied. Best years are behind this.
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8/31/2008 - tyvoodoo wrote: 90 Points
Good bottle of wine. Showing nicely with good fruit and balance. Once bottle left and hoping for better notes on the next showing.
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5/14/2005 - gregg g wrote:
My last bottle of this. It has drank quite well most of it's life. Today it showed signs of aging though the color remains purple with some ruby tinged edges at the rim. Showing considerable funkiness in the nose of earth, spice and tar. Faint aromas of cherry are present as well. There was very little oak profile left and the typical notes of vanilla and dill were, thankfully absent. The tannins are smooth and add to the silky mouthfeel. Structurally, this wine is still intact, though may be moving to the end of its drinking plateau. This wine was tasted along with a '88 Gruad Larose which helped to highlight the sweeter profile, I'm not sure I would have detected if drunk alone. The finish is of medium length and slightly drying.
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3/22/2003 - SadEdjo wrote:
very bright cherry, cassis & cedar. stunning
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