One hour decant and drank over 2 hours. This is still drinking well and in a good place. Nice red fruit with some cassis and spice. Enough acidity to keep this going for another few years. Opened with an Durand and cork was perfect. Lots of sediment so strained into the decanter.
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drank after a little over 1 hour in the decanter. Very fragrant nose with ripe fruits, lots of plum, cassis, a little smoke, and some grilled meats. After more than 1½ hours this was really fragrant and beautiful. Purchased at the winery in 2000.
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World Cup final BBQ: Vibrant red cherry fruit that got fuller and rounder with time in the glass. Quite a bit of sweetness but just about not overdone. No greenness at all to this, probably this was picked much riper than contemporary Napas of its time.
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Nese: Plommer, moreller, tobakk, blyantspiss og sigar. Munn: Moreller, tobakk, blomster, tørket frukt. Utrolig lekker balanse og lengde. Vanvittig flott vin. Kombinasjonen av friskhet, kons og struktur er helt i toppklasse. Svært lang! (Mange toppårganger i Bordeaux ble nevt, men når vi fikk servert 1993 var dette åpenbar US. Produsent var det ingen som nailet. Dunn, Opus, Myacamas ble nevnt, men nei. Fasit: Beringer Private reserve 1993. Utrolig flott vin, og veldig utypsik Beringer. 14,5 alkohol, og balanse i særklasse. 95 poeng lett!!
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Popped and decanted for an hour. The cork was already crusty. Consider using an ah-so or Durand to open.
Bricking and showing it's age. Ripened/dried raisins and cherries, drinking velvety smooth with nice acidity still. This is drinking wonderfully. Such a solid producer. Will probably stay intact for another few years.
This went really well with BBQ and helps mellow out the spices as well.
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Let's start with the basics: it is over the hill and would have been better a decade ago, but there is some life left in it yet. Stewed fruits and a little heat on the nose, but some swirls and it showed a hint of primary fruit. Good acid throughout. Was slightly mute for a few minutes after the initial pour, but then showed a 50/50 subdued stewed and "mature" primary blue/black fruit mix. As it spent more time the decanter, it became more stewed, but we finished the bottle before it was intolerable. At its peak (15-20 mins after opening) it showed obvious signs of a wine that would have garnered 4-6 more points than it does today.
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Opened next to a '94. The cork of the '93 fell apart, but the wine seemed intact. Nevertheless, the wine was too far past its prime to be really enjoyable. The '94 had a bit more life yet, but neither was particularly pleasing. A '94 Far Niente survived better than both of these and had a little fruit on top of the tertiary flavors. If you still have any of these wines, I'd go for it now and hope for the best.
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Cork disintegrated with opening attempt. Poured through a fine strainer to decant. Lots of sediment. Decanted for 45 minutes. A very nice wine. Tasted alongside a ‘92. Perhaps a little more fruit left in the ‘92 but really fairly similar.
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Decanted for an hour or so. Enjoyed with bbq filet's. This is still drinking well. Very smooth with nice fruit and enough structure. Still going strong. Still have 6 more and will keep opening every year for daughter's birthday.
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4th Saturday Brown Bagger (T&L's): Double blind. Another that shows on the lighter side, though clearly this is due to age and not necessarily variety. Dried tea leaf aromas dominate, and I struggle to find much else. Perhaps some currant and dried red berries, but this is clearly drying out and in decline. Short on the finish, and not much here. Again, in hindsight, my score is a bit generous, as clearly this bottle was long past prime.
The individual who brought this had double decanted it twice, which surely did not help. Older wines such as this should be gently, but swiftly, double decanted only once off their sediment, trying to minimize the amount of air it receives.
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Behövde 3 h för att öppna upp ordentligt! Kändes nästan lite stramt i början m oväntat mycket tanniner! Efter en stund i glaset! Helt underbart! Korken fick plockas ut i smådelar!
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An auction steal, so no real clue to how it was stored the first 20 years. Decanted 2 hours and it needed it. Very closed when it was opened. Improved over the next 6 hours. Beautiful old school Napa Cab. Currant, cherry, cranberry ,cedar and anise aromas. Similar flavors. Long finish with the tannins showing up. Could still use a few more years for the tannins to fully resolve. Very good now, but still has room to improve. 1st of 2 bottles and no hurry to open the other.
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Auction purchase. Solid cork. Vinituri-decanter-vinituri, Needed that air. Steak wine with decent tannin still. seemed to have more of a future than I thought with last bottle.
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Penultimate bottle of a case from an old winery warehouse sale. Some bottle variation but this one showed lovely slightly sweet mixed wild berry, nice balance, some mature complexity.
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After 25 years in the bottle, most of it in my cellar, I expected this to fall apart soon after pouring. The cork was soft and broke up considerably. My surprise, I found an intense sweet and dark bold fruit that was quite pleasant! Pretty nice drinking this. I wish I had more. Drinking your last bottle of something as good as this is in a way quite sad. At age 82+, I am drinking all my oldest first and I have a long way to go to get through my 1200 bottle cellar! Of course I am continuing to acquire new wine weekly, I think I will be gone before it is empty! Life is too short to drink cheap or bad wine! Drink up, and taste it!
Cork was soft, but in tact. Fill into neck. My last bottle and good thing as this one had a bit less fruit than prior recent bottles and had clearly crested its best but was still a very fine wine. Blackberries, dried herbs, sweet Oak, some red fruits. Very smooth. A packed teaspoon of sediment.
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Cork excellent. Deep red with a trace of bricking. Raspberries, cherries, vanilla, cedar - complex aroma, actually that of a fine, well aged cabernet which I can pick but never describe in other terms., fine sediment.. Clean with well preserved acidity leading to long, satisfying finish. Drunk over 3 hours. No reason not to pop and pour.
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Oh well. The bottle is empty now. Can you expect anything more from a wine 25 years in the bottle? Zero signs of fatigue. Full, round, lush in the forward mouth. Enough fruit to remind you that yes, this drink came from grapes but not so much for you to push the glass away. A finish that lasts at least a ten count. Plenty of time to think about all that has transpired over the last two and a half decades. Bravo to those who made wine in California in '93. A glorious time!
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Into neck fill. Solid cork. Ripe blackberry and black cherry. Some cassis, sweet Oak and touch of dried herbs. Very smooth. Color showing only modest bricking. Another bottle that still had some years in top form left.
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Into neck fill. A teaspoon of sediment with some film on the bottle as well. Almost no sign of age in the color, on the nose or palate. This bottle was fantastic. Overripe blackberries, black cherry, vanilla Oak, some dusty tannins and underbrush. Near silky smooth. 30 second finish. The alcohol was not fully resolved, which was surprising given that it is not at modern 15% levels, but enough that it was the wine's only drawback and took it down a point from 95. This bottle had at least 5 more great years in it.
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The wine still showed well, but seemed a bit past its peak. It opened up a bit after an hour in glass, but I was expecting more. Interesting comparison with the 1997 Chard PR which still had lots of life.
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Oh my... sometimes you can just bring the glass to your nose and immediately tell your in for a wonderful wine drinking experience. This Beringer Private Reserve is perfectly balanced. Bright cherry notes, full and lush with a touch of cedar. The finish is quite long and still infused with tannins 23 years since bottling. If it was a blind tasting, I would say the wine was drinking at its peak. I think I'll search for a magnum or two at auction.
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Dense mixed wild berry; still young, albeit with some secondary sensations of tobacco and spice; lovely balance; my fave bottle so far of a case with some bottle variation
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Sublime. Lots of life left. Well balanced and everything integrated. Lush mature fruit in a velvety package.Beautiful finish that highlighted the fruit and balance.
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Properly stored since purchase, so not surprising that this is still very drinkable, even if a little past its peak. Also, can tell 1993 is not as good as 92 or 91. Benefits of 20 years of aging are there, but core mid-palate flavors were just not as good.
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Cabernet Blend Comparison (My Home): After one hour decant. The most surprising wine of the night. At 21 years old this bottle was singing! The nose showed plum, blackberry, black cherry, graphite and earth. The freshness of fruit on the palate was nothing short of amazing for a '93. The palate followed the nose with beautiful fruit. The structure was spectacular for an aged wine, with medium-high tannins, good acidity and well-integrated alcohol. Nice mid-palate of tobacco that added complexity, but the mouth-feel is what got me. The balance was good and the tannins had a great velvetty texture that filled the mouth. It needed more layering of flavors and a stronger finish to move in to the exceptional category though. This wine actually has a few more years under its belt! This is my first Napa cab sauv that has stood-up well to 20 years of bottle aging.
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enjoyable...fully integrated at this stage. still solid structure, a bit thin but solid... shines best as supporting actor to a meal or late night sipper.
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Earthy nose with menthol and light red fruit. Holding up well on the palate with pleasant red fruit and mint. A bit heat and white pepper on the finish. Tannins have melted away. An impressive wine that should be consumed now.
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My first 93 BPR. I believe it is peaking now. Tannins were barely present. Dark lush fruit still present. Maybe a bit of plum? I enjoyed it, but didn't knock my socks off. Drink soon if holding.
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Drank at Ann's for Passover dinner with Brisket and Tzimmes (sweet potatoes, carrots, prunes side for you goys). Should have been an excellent match, but seemed quite ordinary, with tannin overwhelming any fruit there might have been. Maybe the tzimmes cancelled out the fruit, but this disappointed.
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It still wows me how the well made 93's have dropped the herbal notes and become beautiful wines. This is one. Fully mature, drink up. Notes of red berries, cassis, leather and some real earthiness. Very enjoyable with Tri-tip.
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A winner once again but did show some signs of age. Needed a two hour decant to blow off some alcohol and darken up the fruit. Once it blossomed, it was smooth, balanced, graceful and classy. Reddish fruits with a touch of plum, milk chocolate. Not sure how much longer it will be at its peak as there was little tannin and acid left.
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The cork was completely dry and the wine has faded. Secondary scents and flavors minimally present. This is the problem with buying older wines online. How a wine has been kept. It's province is questionable.
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Brick colored rim with a dark purple core. Nose was earthy with cedar and tobacco. A hint of pepper spice on the nose as well. The wine was very well balanced with good black and blue fruit supporting a complex palate and a nice, lingering finish. Excellent secondary flavors that presented a mature profile. I think it would still be good for a few years, but it is likely not getting any better.
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Bottle 2 of 2, not as optimistic as I was on this to last a bit longer, but could be bottle variation. Cork was in good shape but crumbled upon opening. Stewed plums, leather, cigar box. Enjoyable and there's no reason to hold off on opening these up!
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Allowed to breathe in glass 30 minutes before tasting. Clear garnet-ruby-blood red color. This bottle seemed fully evolved, likely past prime, with notes of savory meat, tobacco, red plum, red currants, cedar, leather, and herbs. Bouquet actually freshened up and became more enjoyable with air. Medium-full body, balanced, elegant, with medium finish.
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Tasted non blind at home. Very tight when first opened. After a few hours of slow ox it opened up a bit. Nose of dark fruit mostly with a hint of tobacco. Palate of cassis and some cedar. Medium-short length finish with some sour cassis and leather. Nice acidity but still quite tannic and unlikely to improve. I doubt the fruit will last past the still angular tannins. Drink now and over the next 2 years.
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Wonderful mature cab that had some bricking but was still fresh and lively on the palate. Plum and red fruits with some leather, chocolate and earth. Very smooth. Refined and graceful
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Rats...my first bottle was indeed a freakishly good one. This bottle had seriously faded fruit, and was a touch sour and tired. Oh well, cross your fingers, its fabulous if you get lucky with a good bottle.
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Had this one along with the 89 BPR. This wine is at full maturity - I don't think it is improving but it's in a great spot. Little brick with some olive and dried cherry and glove leather. Fantastic balance with everything working together. Full midpallet and a long, glorius finish. I'd be drinking more of there if I had them.
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Wine of the night. I had several bottles over the past few years but this was the best. Bottle variations or just approaching peak?. I think the latter. Bright dark red, very little brick, if any. Dark cherry , black olives, plum, blackberry, iodine, cloves; just packed with complexity. Tannins and acidity are nicely supporting the fruit and long finish. A touch of strawberry and cedar on the finish. Very enjoyable.
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Shattered the dry cork. Pretty nose. Olive, more mineral than black fruit. Pretty mature, but still very good. If I had more, I'd drink them, but I like da fruit.
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This wine has aged very well. While the traditional CA fruit has declined in 19 years in the bottle, the wine is exceptionally smooth. Very enjoyable and still has some life left in it.
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Delicious! This was probably a freak bottle, but wow this approached Bordeaux-like aged gracefulness...but with a distinctfully California character. Kalamata olive and cuban cigar nose; earthy, smooth red and dark fruits with some spice - and a sublimely long, balanced finished. The table was gushing praise.
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Nothing much to add to what has already been written on this wine, this bottle was in perfect condition and drinking very well. May look to pick up a few more bottles, I'd say this has 3-5 years left on it.
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Drank with several Napa wine industry friends on the deck with thick pork chops from The Fatted Calf. Great bottle. Also had a 1996 Rubicon. The crowd was split between the two for favorite. Still had fruit showing, smooth texture with some grip. It exhibited spice and dark fruits on the palate. Very enjoyable. 2 left and still have some life.
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decanted for considerable sediment and immediately drunk; good plum made bright but the (sl more coarse than i recall) acidity; some tobacco; aging well.
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opened with ah-so and decanted for sediment; bright and beautiful clear dark currant with some black raspberry; some clean earth and mineral; impeccable balance
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clean raspberry nose; dark raspberry and mineral; more acid than fruit now but i like it this way; overall nicely balanced and has aged well. use the ah so opener for these corks
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Drank along with the 88 Beringer Reserve. I preferred the 93, wife and buddy preferred 88. The 93 still has some tannin and darker fruit than the 88. we were impressed that both are still drinkable.
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Wonderful with steak! Nose was more earthy and musty and most Californians. Opened up fabuously in the decanter and brought hints of minerals and mild chocolate.
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PNP. Cork disintegrated. Mildly disappointing. Just purchased from a retailer who indicated these were library releases from Beringer and were drinking beautifully. Muted nose of earth and mushrooms. Very soft on the palate with herbs, earth, maybe some chocolate notes. Live and learn.
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I was pleasantly surprised by this after being prepared for another disappointment. Fresh, bright cassis fruit on top of capsicum and cedar, this gained traction with air and turned into a real beauty and I can begin to understand why it has a reputation. Luscious, balanced, totally Napa, and very good!
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Not as impressive as my prior bottle in August 2011. Fruit had faded on this once and acidity a bit soft. Pleasant wine, but this bottle had seen better days. Have one left and will likely drink it soon.
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Delicious cab that is drinking very well now. Still very good fruit and decent acidity with mellow tannins. Dark purple with no bricking at the edges. Nose took a while to open up then showed some berries, smoke and leather. The palate was very balanced with berries, smoke, leather and loads of chocolate. Very good, smooth, lengthy finish. Ed Sbragia did a great job with this blend and the once notable tannins are well integrated now.
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The last of my case and the best tasting experience of the case- vibrant fruit with many layers of dark berry, cherry and hints of vanilla. This wine aged beautifully and showed its real character in 2011. Soft texture, long finish with lingering fruit and no after bite. The type of wine that leaves you looking for another drop. If I could fill my cellar with this wine, I would gladly do so.
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I had a case of this wine and I have been drinking it through the years - only a couple of bottles left and tonight was the most pleasurable experience I recall with this wine. After decanting and letting this breath for 2 hours, color is still vibrant and inviting, nose is big fruit (surprising). On tasting, the expectation from the nose was not disappointed, with this wine serving up an interesting array of cherry, dark berry and just the right amount of punch. The finish is smooth and left me looking for another taste.
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from a case picked up at winery discount sale earlier this year; needs an hour decant for sediment and to let the musty smells blow off; just right balance of still bright fruit and some tart/earth/leather background; remains surprisingly good
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bright cherry and red currant; nice balance of sweet fruit and sl tart mineral, leather tobacco; good acidity; still has some stuffing and length; this has aged well; day 2 drier fruit and more leather but still good acidity kept it buoyant.
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Continue to be pleasantly surprised each time I open a bottle of this. Decanted for an hour - didnt find the musty nose others have mentioned, nor the cork issues, just a typical cabernet aroma. Medium body, deep cherry red color with fair amount of sediment. Well balanced w/fruit and tannins, would say it has aged well and is at peak, maybe slightly past.
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decanted for cork bits and sediment; opened up in 30minutes with sweet dark berry, leather, earth; hint of cedar and herb; nice balance and midpalate; surprisingly buoyant
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Cherry, tobacco leaf, chocolate, coffee nose. Medium acid and structure with a considerable amount of oak showing. The sparse fruit is faded and dried out on the palate leading to a heavy and muddled character that gives way to mint and creamy oak on the finish. I don't see this going anywhere but down.
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Loved it again. Maybe seemed a little more mature than a year ago. Cork did crumble but no signs of seepage or anything else wrong. Sophisticated, layered, lovely.
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A big step down, probably fading. The bouquet is going kinda herbal with some VA, and the palate us breaking up a bit. Too much oak, sweet without enough stuffing. Ugh. Unrated, overthehill.
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tight must and sourness blew off quickly; black raspberry and currant, cigar box, soft albeit with good acidity; modest midpalate; still very good but drink now; reminder to self--dont use the old cork (that you were lucky to get out unscathed) to recork for the next day.
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Popped and poured for our 18year anniversary after bombing with the '93 Giacosa Barolo. Fill was base neck and cork crumbled upon opening (hate it when that happens). Typical Beringer Resere Cab which held up ok with NY strips. Bottle was enjoyable but not nearly as good as the better vintages from Beringer.
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from a case picked up at the winery today (at their employee annual warehouse sale), then P/P at bottega; good cork, remarkably bright medium bodied cherry and currant, some tobacco, cassis, mineral; perfect balance; opened further over an hour but gone before we could further evaluate; would decant for sediment (or just floss afterward); surprisingly good and one of the better older (esp in an 'off year') calif cabs that i have recently tasted (perhaps aided by the provenance)
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Had at Mastros in LA from a Magnum - I could just had smell theis wine all night long - just terrific with the same old great beringer reserve taste. I love to age this wines - they pay you back in spades!!!
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Not much left in terms of character but still enjoyable. We did not have lofty expectations prior to pouring it and I was pleasantly surprised to find some minor floral notes, tobacco, leather and licorice on the nose. Not even a trace of tannins which was to be expected. If you have any, I suggest drinking it as there's not much going on with this sub-par vintage.
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Medium red in color and body. The wine tasted austere and retrained with not much going on in the nose or finish. There were hints of fruit, chocolate and tobacco...what the wine likely was years ago. The wine is going away and it should be consumed now.
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From magnum. Dark purple-blue and almost opaque; very little browning at the edge. Scents of cedar, cassis, and masses of deep, sweet fruit just becoming secondary. Correct Napa cab richness and breadth. But a little heavier, clunkier and grainier in the mouth than one would hope - doesn't have the delineation, to say nothing of nobility or grandeur, of other early 90s vintages from this property (I've had better balanced PR from 1991, 1992, and 1994); comes off a bit like the 1990. More age won't hurt, but neither does it seem likely to help much.
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Dinner with Jancis Robinson (London): At first I mostly got some underbrush and currant character to this with enough minerality to make me think that perhaps this was right-bank Bordeaux. As it opened it did seem a bit sweeter over time with a pure, direct and not at all over the top personality. It is definitely moving towards a later stage of maturity but is also classically proportioned and very pretty California Cab.
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Got off to a rough start with the cork breaking apart...strained and decanted. Color is deep garnet, with just a little bricking at the edge. Typical pleasant upscale Cabernet aromas, flavor is bold, rich and elegant all at once. Tannins are integrated and mature. This wine is still going strong even after all these years in the bottle.
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Drink it if you've got it. While the mouth feel and tannin structure was lovely and silky smooth, initially, the wine appeared to be dead and devoid of fruit. I expected the wine to fall apart quickly in the glass. Much to my delight, it did the exact opposite. The wine put on weight as pretty red raspberry and cassis flavors emerged. The finish was full of sweet tobacco.
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Wonderful. Very consistent in style and quality to the other early to mid 90's Beringer PR Cabs. Love their sophistication, balance and velvety body as they breathe. Great bottle. Plenty of life left. Nice cab nose without heat. Plum and leather with nice finish. LOVE IT!
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14.1% ABV. Popped and poured. This had a pristine cork. Translucent ruby with a slight amber hue, turning more clear tawny at the rim. Initially this had a slight dusty green pepper quality on the nose that faded after about forty minutes and seemed to take on a more bottle sweet aroma. Medium full bodied and riper than the nose initially suggested with red currant fruit and caramel. This was a pleasant surprise. Drink now.
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The wine smelled of earthy and mushrooms. The taste had dark fruit, red cherries, a little minerality and cedar. It finishes toasted oak. The wine is smooth and drinking perfectly 17 years since harvest.
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Dark red in colour with a touch of brick on the rim; black berry, licorice and wood on the nose, slightly overripe fruit; intense flavours on the palate and long finish; some tannins still remain but overall balance and structure is very good.
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Opened for Pork Loin Roast dinner..very light bouquet when opened...Dark clear appearance,no bricking on , nice legs on swirl. Taste of cherry, black currant, very little hash tannins good midpalate and long after finish. All this Improves with about an hour decanting. Very satisfying
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The nose was light on this upon opening, however it did develop a nice sweet red fruit nose after it sat and reached room temp! The taste was complex, sweet red fruit notes of Raspberry and Strawberry! My first 1993 and I have a few more to look forward to.
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Decanted for about an hour. Very dark red, almost purple, with very little brick on the rim. Forward nose of dark fruit, plum, black tea and damp wood complexity. Well integrated ripe tannins, good middle palate and good finish. It would benefit from little more acidity. Drinking well now and will keep for a few years. Oveall, very enjoyable wine and worth the wait.
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Jonathan Dinh 4th Annual Magnum Birthday Dinner (Donato Enoteca, Redwood City, California): From magnum - opaque dark red violet color; big, cassis, berry, black currant, black fruit nose; tasty, solid, rich, ripe black fruit, berry, faintly herbal palate with soft tannins; medium-plus finish (much, much better in this format than when I had it in 750 ml earlier this year)
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Decent but less than expected bouquet with secondary aromas of leather and cedar. Reserved wine. Lighter body than expected and a bit thinner than other vintages of this same wine. Good structure, but felt short on complexity and power. Length of about 25 seconds. Well balanced but not much of anything.
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Cabernet Smackdown (Steve T's, Vernon Hills IL): nose: well balanced and pungent nose of pipe tobacco, red cherries, red and black currants, spice tones and some nice bits of leather. Real good depth and singing right now, this was a real nice
taste: Polished medium/full feel with good supporting tannins and a real classy feel with tones of red cherries, red and black currants and a good amount of various spice tones. Real good depth with a real nice expression to it
overall: Was rather surprised how well it showed in this field due to the style and vintage. This would've been a great wine to have with a smaller crowd as it demanded more attention then could be given in the format
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deep plum color with very little lightening. Still a rich nose of oak, but tons of fruit remaining. a beautiful wine with years ahead. the 93's are singing right now...
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Rather musty upon opening, but developed an excellent bouquet quickly. Palette took a while to warm up but at its peak it offered soft dark fruit with dried black tea and a nice touch of elegance. The finish felt drying ... the fruit seems like its on the way out ... the wine is probably on the decline but it was a lovely refined cab.
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Currants, cedar box, wet earth on the nose, though rather subtle and closed. Palate with nicely balanced acidity and tannin, cassis, currants and cedar. Juicy fruit up front giving way to dry tannin. medium finish of cedar box and a little mocha. Nice pretty mature Cali cab without much flash, but focused, enjoyable and well made. Probably on the downward slope of it's drinking window.
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Steve Saxon Offline @ Zach's in Mt. Snow (Zach's Ski House near Mt. Snow Vermont): A huge red wine. Really impressive for the vintage. If I've had this before, I don't recall it being this good. Loads of delicious red fruit. A very forward and appealing wine. I would assume it's at its peak now. I could drink this all night.
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Very lively appearance; deep and rich, some chocolate, eucalyptus, raisins, good blackcurrant fruit, well-judged oak, vinous, powdery; on the palate full and rich, the weight (14.5%) buffered by refreshing acidity and velvety tannins, a bit port-like but not in a bad way; excellent length. Flashy but profound.
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So who says there is no upside to the eco-meltdown. I bought a case of this for $41.00 PB. The wine is drinking great but still has many years of great drinking. Deep Ruby, Great cherry nose, Black Licorice, plum and a really nice minerally finish with plenty of tannins.
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In a great place right now, enticing tar/earth/tobacco nose, with red fruit like you'd find in a Chambolle, tannin still giving the wine a stick-to-it-ness in your mouth. Complex and interesting, wish I had a lot more of these.
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Beautiful dusty mature Cab color. Not red, not black, not brown. Red fruits sail across the palate, nice transition, great finish. Also some of those earthy flavors, notes. Again as before, dried & stewed fruits. dusty, just a great mature CAli Cab. CNY Mortons HK.
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Cork just exploded into the bottle upon opening.Clear ruby coloring Despite this, initially had a clear precise nose of cassis and cherry. Focused palate, a little thin, with perceptible tannins. Finish was oak and mineral, and a little short. 2hrs after opening i the decanter, nose was much more mature, with fig,mushroom, flint, and coffee notes. Palate had put on weight, more complex mature notes, and finish had initial cherry character that gave way to mineral, mocha, and earth. Always balanced and focused, with soft structure. No rush to drink this, but drinking quite well now and I'm not sure it will get too much better. Interestingly, after 4 hrs, seemed flat and simple, loosing much of it's fruit and complexity. Still good, not great.
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This is why you age a wine. This was from a 3L so probably aged better than a single. Wonderful cab purity, just a little browing on the edges. We had the clio 99 pointer with it and this refined cab was a favorite over the super extracted style made so often now.
There are few times in life where one can experience an epiphany. In my wine life it has now occured twice. My first time was back in 2004 when I visted Napa for the first time and drank my first wine which was a 2001 Cliff Lede Stag Leap's District Cabernet and realized how great wine really tasted. My second time came when I took a drink of this magnificent beauty. This is at minimum a 95+. I now know what silk tastes like. Just the right amount of fuit with a finish that seemed to go forever. This immediately makes me want to take every one of my bottles of Cab from after 2000 and bury them in the backyard and forget them for the next decade. This is a 15 year old wine that has another decade to go. At least.
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TWATS V; 8/8/2008-8/9/2008 (Château D' Stearns): Looks corked, burnt on the nose, short & front finish. Goat or blue cheese. Dry fruits, sour fruit, stewed fruit & sweet. Guessed at 92-93 / 95-96
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Half the cork broke off in the bottle. Not so much the fault of the cork as my haphazard technique. The result, though, was that i had to get my face down close to the bottle to wrestle out the rest of the stopper. I should do this more often, because as i pulled out the final remnants i was hit with the 15 year old air from the neck. Almost intoxicating by itself, the air was dusty cherry. Yes a "cork" odor was there too. But it was pleasant cork must. Old and, at the same time, fresh. I now vow to work harder to smell that bit air trapped in the bottle since the moment of sealing (even with younger wines) and listen closer as it introduces its friend below. I vow to try to not be in such a hurry to pour that first glass.
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10th bottle from the original case in 1998. Decanted for over an hour. Served with Prime Rib from the grill. Outstanding choice/compliment to the meal with yorkshire pudding, etc.
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Full fruit forward, big wine in the twilight of its life. An excellent compliment to my brothers aged porterhouse. Nice mid palate with mellowing tannins....ready to drink
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Tasted July 14, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout with no evidence of bricking. Slight leather notes on the nose followed by a little green pepper before finally turning into red currants, maybe some red cherries and even a little melted red licorice. Flavors of red cherries, red berries and a little red licorice. Good acidity still. Well integrated, somewhat silky tannins at this point. No reason to hold this one as I doubt it’ll improve but should hold for at least 3-4 years before you get around to drinking them. No value recommendation.
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Big, bright, fruit-forward Cali cab. Probably the most "typical" of Napa cabs that I've had for a while, which is not saying anything bad - it was a nice change from some of the Bordeaux-like early 90's bottles I've had recently.
Overall very happy with it now - not a ton of tannin these days, but I don't think it's a huge rush to drink right now (though no reason not to).
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Really a shame, since this was my last bottle, but I suspect it was cooked. It had absolutely no resemblance to the prior bottle in February. I hate when that happens with a final bottle, especially since I really enjoyed the prior one and was looking forward to this one.
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Delicious Cal Cab likely at its peak right now. Bright fruit with cherry and blackberry both present. Almost a hint of a pinot noir quality in the dominant cherry flavors but with a classic cal cab profile. Served at a large dinner where each person only got one glass - I had only a few sips before I realized that my wife had finished both her glass and mine. A strong testimonial since she rarely finishes one glass.
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Opened as a replacement for two corked bottles of other wines this night, so it had very little time in the decanter.
Nose of cedar, chocolate and black currants. On the palate, cherry, black cherry and hints of black currants and black licorice, along with a slightly herbal edge. Very nice medium finish, with a bit of spice and well-integrated, though still present, tannins.
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Decanted 10 hours. Nose of warm chocolate and fruit. Delicious core of dusty blackberry/cherry fruit. Incredibly smooth texture, 15-20 second finish. This is at its peak!
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I’m not sure I have ever tasted anything like this. This was literally like eating a jar of strawberry jam with a cough syrup chaser. This was the most jammy fruit forward wine I have ever tasted. Gobs of strawberry, cherry, with some very mild oak. No tannin to speak of and a medium finish. This was the last thing I was expecting when I tasted this wine. It was an interesting visit, but I wouldn’t wanna live there. 87 pts.
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Tasted at an offline so brief comments only. This wine is still drinking well. Nose of cedar and chocolate. Flavors of cherries, red currants and fresh herbs. Still a good balance between the tannins and acidity. Should hold for another 2-4 years but I see no reason not to go ahead and drink these. This was part 2 of my winning trifecta during the night.
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Decanted ~ 1hour. Dark garnet/black colour. Big nose of cassis, black figs, black licorice, oak/vanilla, black crushed fruit, lead pencil, and smoke. Full-bodied, powerful wine with blackcurrant, raspberry, black figs, and banana. Moderate finish, ~30-40s with licorice and cassis. Drinking wonderfully right now. James Laube should re-taste this wine that he recently rated 89.
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Tasted at Tapenade with Rob Norberg (and family), Linda Brewton and David Derby. The wine was brought from Linda's personal cellar. Bright disc. Opaque garnet robe with orange rim. Clean nose, showing moderately intense plum, chocolate and raisin. Very ripe and full-bodied on the palate, with massive sweet tannins and similar flavors as for the nose. Medium, smooth finish.
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11/5/2023 - lovemycab Likes this wine: 92 Points
One hour decant and drank over 2 hours. This is still drinking well and in a good place. Nice red fruit with some cassis and spice. Enough acidity to keep this going for another few years.
Opened with an Durand and cork was perfect. Lots of sediment so strained into the decanter.
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7/20/2023 - Peech Likes this wine: 93 Points
drank after a little over 1 hour in the decanter. Very fragrant nose with ripe fruits, lots of plum, cassis, a little smoke, and some grilled meats. After more than 1½ hours this was really fragrant and beautiful. Purchased at the winery in 2000.
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12/18/2022 - melvinyeowq wrote: 93 Points
World Cup final BBQ: Vibrant red cherry fruit that got fuller and rounder with time in the glass. Quite a bit of sweetness but just about not overdone. No greenness at all to this, probably this was picked much riper than contemporary Napas of its time.
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7/24/2022 - RTP wrote: flawed
Corked! Unfortunate.
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7/14/2022 - "Rhône Rider" Likes this wine: 95 Points
Nese: Plommer, moreller, tobakk, blyantspiss og sigar. Munn: Moreller, tobakk, blomster, tørket frukt. Utrolig lekker balanse og lengde. Vanvittig flott vin. Kombinasjonen av friskhet, kons og struktur er helt i toppklasse. Svært lang! (Mange toppårganger i Bordeaux ble nevt, men når vi fikk servert 1993 var dette åpenbar US. Produsent var det ingen som nailet. Dunn, Opus, Myacamas ble nevnt, men nei. Fasit: Beringer Private reserve 1993. Utrolig flott vin, og veldig utypsik Beringer. 14,5 alkohol, og balanse i særklasse. 95 poeng lett!!
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4/27/2022 - VinoExplorer Likes this wine: 93 Points
Popped and decanted for an hour. The cork was already crusty. Consider using an ah-so or Durand to open.
Bricking and showing it's age.
Ripened/dried raisins and cherries, drinking velvety smooth with nice acidity still. This is drinking wonderfully. Such a solid producer. Will probably stay intact for another few years.
This went really well with BBQ and helps mellow out the spices as well.
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11/26/2021 - Winiac wrote: 93 Points
Dried cherries for ever, balanced and juicy. good acidity. Magnificent!
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4/17/2021 - Alok Kapoor Does not like this wine: 86 Points
Past it’s prime
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11/27/2020 - Château de Farmer Likes this wine: 90 Points
Let's start with the basics: it is over the hill and would have been better a decade ago, but there is some life left in it yet. Stewed fruits and a little heat on the nose, but some swirls and it showed a hint of primary fruit. Good acid throughout. Was slightly mute for a few minutes after the initial pour, but then showed a 50/50 subdued stewed and "mature" primary blue/black fruit mix. As it spent more time the decanter, it became more stewed, but we finished the bottle before it was intolerable. At its peak (15-20 mins after opening) it showed obvious signs of a wine that would have garnered 4-6 more points than it does today.
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11/25/2020 - OG-Wino wrote:
Opened next to a '94. The cork of the '93 fell apart, but the wine seemed intact. Nevertheless, the wine was too far past its prime to be really enjoyable. The '94 had a bit more life yet, but neither was particularly pleasing. A '94 Far Niente survived better than both of these and had a little fruit on top of the tertiary flavors. If you still have any of these wines, I'd go for it now and hope for the best.
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7/6/2020 - hatchwine Likes this wine: 88 Points
Cork disintegrated with opening attempt. Poured through a fine strainer to decant. Lots of sediment. Decanted for 45 minutes. A very nice wine. Tasted alongside a ‘92. Perhaps a little more fruit left in the ‘92 but really fairly similar.
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5/17/2020 - lovemycab Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted for an hour or so. Enjoyed with bbq filet's. This is still drinking well. Very smooth with nice fruit and enough structure. Still going strong. Still have 6 more and will keep opening every year for daughter's birthday.
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11/23/2019 - AllRed wrote: 80 Points
4th Saturday Brown Bagger (T&L's): Double blind. Another that shows on the lighter side, though clearly this is due to age and not necessarily variety. Dried tea leaf aromas dominate, and I struggle to find much else. Perhaps some currant and dried red berries, but this is clearly drying out and in decline. Short on the finish, and not much here. Again, in hindsight, my score is a bit generous, as clearly this bottle was long past prime.
The individual who brought this had double decanted it twice, which surely did not help. Older wines such as this should be gently, but swiftly, double decanted only once off their sediment, trying to minimize the amount of air it receives.
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10/19/2019 - ola@oneculture.se wrote:
Behövde 3 h för att öppna upp ordentligt!
Kändes nästan lite stramt i början m oväntat mycket tanniner!
Efter en stund i glaset! Helt underbart! Korken fick plockas ut i smådelar!
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7/6/2019 - gharter Likes this wine: 90 Points
An auction steal, so no real clue to how it was stored the first 20 years.
Decanted 2 hours and it needed it. Very closed when it was opened. Improved over the next 6 hours. Beautiful old school Napa Cab. Currant, cherry, cranberry ,cedar and anise aromas. Similar flavors. Long finish with the tannins showing up. Could still use a few more years for the tannins to fully resolve. Very good now, but still has room to improve. 1st of 2 bottles and no hurry to open the other.
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5/26/2019 - BrunelloBob wrote: 91 Points
Tasty, if monolithic, in a Napa-kinda-way
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4/26/2019 - levinml wrote: 92 Points
My last bottle of this went down like a champ. Still good drinking, middle of the fairway flavors. Properly stored should be fine, but don't wait.
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1/19/2019 - BrunelloBob wrote: 90 Points
Auction purchase. Solid cork. Vinituri-decanter-vinituri, Needed that air. Steak wine with decent tannin still. seemed to have more of a future than I thought with last bottle.
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1/3/2019 - eagle4443 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Awesome ! Great wine and it's peak time! Enjoy!
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9/18/2018 - wabi47 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Penultimate bottle of a case from an old winery warehouse sale. Some bottle variation but this one showed lovely slightly sweet mixed wild berry, nice balance, some mature complexity.
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8/27/2018 - Old Amarone Likes this wine: 91 Points
After 25 years in the bottle, most of it in my cellar, I expected this to fall apart soon after pouring. The cork was soft and broke up considerably. My surprise, I found an intense sweet and dark bold fruit that was quite pleasant! Pretty nice drinking this. I wish I had more. Drinking your last bottle of something as good as this is in a way quite sad. At age 82+, I am drinking all my oldest first and I have a long way to go to get through my 1200 bottle cellar! Of course I am continuing to acquire new wine weekly, I think I will be gone before it is empty! Life is too short to drink cheap or bad wine! Drink up, and taste it!
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7/17/2018 - THECORKDORK Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine was on fire. Dried cassis and sage, spicy black pepper. Clean, fresh and full of vibrancy. Made by Ed Sbragia. Great stuff.
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6/30/2018 - mxpbuy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Cork was soft, but in tact. Fill into neck. My last bottle and good thing as this one had a bit less fruit than prior recent bottles and had clearly crested its best but was still a very fine wine. Blackberries, dried herbs, sweet Oak, some red fruits. Very smooth. A packed teaspoon of sediment.
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6/4/2018 - Taronti Likes this wine: 92 Points
Cork excellent. Deep red with a trace of bricking. Raspberries, cherries, vanilla, cedar - complex aroma, actually that of a fine, well aged cabernet which I can pick but never describe in other terms., fine sediment.. Clean with well preserved acidity leading to long, satisfying finish. Drunk over 3 hours. No reason not to pop and pour.
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5/9/2018 - pepmi wrote: 92 Points
Oh well. The bottle is empty now. Can you expect anything more from a wine 25 years in the bottle? Zero signs of fatigue. Full, round, lush in the forward mouth. Enough fruit to remind you that yes, this drink came from grapes but not so much for you to push the glass away. A finish that lasts at least a ten count. Plenty of time to think about all that has transpired over the last two and a half decades. Bravo to those who made wine in California in '93. A glorious time!
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4/24/2018 - WinoRick wrote: 94 Points
At a good place in its life.
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4/6/2018 - mxpbuy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Into neck fill. Solid cork. Ripe blackberry and black cherry. Some cassis, sweet Oak and touch of dried herbs. Very smooth. Color showing only modest bricking. Another bottle that still had some years in top form left.
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1/27/2018 - mxpbuy Likes this wine: 94 Points
Into neck fill. A teaspoon of sediment with some film on the bottle as well. Almost no sign of age in the color, on the nose or palate. This bottle was fantastic. Overripe blackberries, black cherry, vanilla Oak, some dusty tannins and underbrush. Near silky smooth. 30 second finish. The alcohol was not fully resolved, which was surprising given that it is not at modern 15% levels, but enough that it was the wine's only drawback and took it down a point from 95. This bottle had at least 5 more great years in it.
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12/31/2017 - Alexander Bauer wrote: 89 Points
The wine still showed well, but seemed a bit past its peak. It opened up a bit after an hour in glass, but I was expecting more. Interesting comparison with the 1997 Chard PR which still had lots of life.
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6/23/2017 - Winiac wrote: 94 Points
Ripe sour cherry and cassis taste. Medium body. Medium long length and extremely pleasant finish.
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6/11/2017 - Darcimbauer Likes this wine:
Amazing so sad it's gone. Steak
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12/24/2016 - Chiantihound wrote: 88 Points
Took a few hours to get better, but still somewhat muted. Tired?
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10/7/2016 - pepmi wrote: 93 Points
Oh my... sometimes you can just bring the glass to your nose and immediately tell your in for a wonderful wine drinking experience. This Beringer Private Reserve is perfectly balanced. Bright cherry notes, full and lush with a touch of cedar. The finish is quite long and still infused with tannins 23 years since bottling. If it was a blind tasting, I would say the wine was drinking at its peak. I think I'll search for a magnum or two at auction.
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2/20/2016 - wabi47 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dense mixed wild berry; still young, albeit with some secondary sensations of tobacco and spice; lovely balance; my fave bottle so far of a case with some bottle variation
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12/4/2015 - Lszachary@gmail.com wrote:
Smooth
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9/24/2015 - BigBoy_Sonoma Likes this wine: 92 Points
Black fruit, cedar, tobacco, minerality. A-
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8/27/2015 - iamandyc Likes this wine: 95 Points
Sublime. Lots of life left. Well balanced and everything integrated. Lush mature fruit in a velvety package.Beautiful finish that highlighted the fruit and balance.
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8/18/2015 - levinml wrote: 91 Points
Properly stored since purchase, so not surprising that this is still very drinkable, even if a little past its peak. Also, can tell 1993 is not as good as 92 or 91. Benefits of 20 years of aging are there, but core mid-palate flavors were just not as good.
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12/31/2014 - R U Ready Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still had plenty of body. Beautiful nose and nice finish.
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12/26/2014 - djlevin Likes this wine: 93 Points
Cabernet Blend Comparison (My Home): After one hour decant. The most surprising wine of the night. At 21 years old this bottle was singing! The nose showed plum, blackberry, black cherry, graphite and earth. The freshness of fruit on the palate was nothing short of amazing for a '93. The palate followed the nose with beautiful fruit. The structure was spectacular for an aged wine, with medium-high tannins, good acidity and well-integrated alcohol. Nice mid-palate of tobacco that added complexity, but the mouth-feel is what got me. The balance was good and the tannins had a great velvetty texture that filled the mouth. It needed more layering of flavors and a stronger finish to move in to the exceptional category though. This wine actually has a few more years under its belt! This is my first Napa cab sauv that has stood-up well to 20 years of bottle aging.
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12/1/2014 - Janstan Likes this wine: 92 Points
had a vertical of 93,94, & 95. This was the most Bordeaux-like with cedar, underbrush, blackberry and cassis. Had with mustard & herb topping.
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7/25/2014 - JBVino wrote:
enjoyable...fully integrated at this stage. still solid structure, a bit thin but solid... shines best as supporting actor to a meal or late night sipper.
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6/8/2014 - n2wine wrote: 92 Points
At its peak right now. Enjoy it while you can.
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6/6/2014 - nfafoglia Likes this wine: 92 Points
Earthy nose with menthol and light red fruit. Holding up well on the palate with pleasant red fruit and mint. A bit heat and white pepper on the finish. Tannins have melted away. An impressive wine that should be consumed now.
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5/10/2014 - rwilk_2000 wrote: 89 Points
My first 93 BPR. I believe it is peaking now. Tannins were barely present. Dark lush fruit still present. Maybe a bit of plum? I enjoyed it, but didn't knock my socks off. Drink soon if holding.
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4/14/2014 - levinml wrote: 90 Points
Drank at Ann's for Passover dinner with Brisket and Tzimmes (sweet potatoes, carrots, prunes side for you goys). Should have been an excellent match, but seemed quite ordinary, with tannin overwhelming any fruit there might have been. Maybe the tzimmes cancelled out the fruit, but this disappointed.
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3/8/2014 - krmcgrath wrote: 92 Points
Dark red raspberry and anise riding on a smooth resolved background. Still enough acidity to hold it together. Really beautiful with our meal.
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10/9/2013 - Barnaby33 wrote:
It still wows me how the well made 93's have dropped the herbal notes and become beautiful wines. This is one. Fully mature, drink up. Notes of red berries, cassis, leather and some real earthiness. Very enjoyable with Tri-tip.
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10/7/2013 - coach87 Likes this wine:
Still hanging in there. Last bottle.
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9/15/2013 - iamandyc Likes this wine: 94 Points
A winner once again but did show some signs of age. Needed a two hour decant to blow off some alcohol and darken up the fruit. Once it blossomed, it was smooth, balanced, graceful and classy. Reddish fruits with a touch of plum, milk chocolate. Not sure how much longer it will be at its peak as there was little tannin and acid left.
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8/31/2013 - Fishboy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Great napa cab. Needs at least an hour to open up. Drinking well right now.
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8/3/2013 - Danthejuiceman wrote: flawed
The cork was completely dry and the wine has faded. Secondary scents and flavors minimally present. This is the problem with buying older wines online. How a wine has been kept. It's province is questionable.
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7/24/2013 - otisabdul Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank at 20th anniversary dinner at Takashi. Like our marraige, still going strong!
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7/14/2013 - JDRFoster wrote: 92 Points
Well balanced, medium long finish Dark fruit. Oak. Chocolate. Touch of leather. Very Good.
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6/9/2013 - Grenik Likes this wine: 92 Points
Brick colored rim with a dark purple core. Nose was earthy with cedar and tobacco. A hint of pepper spice on the nose as well. The wine was very well balanced with good black and blue fruit supporting a complex palate and a nice, lingering finish. Excellent secondary flavors that presented a mature profile. I think it would still be good for a few years, but it is likely not getting any better.
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5/27/2013 - Morg wrote: 91 Points
Bottle 2 of 2, not as optimistic as I was on this to last a bit longer, but could be bottle variation. Cork was in good shape but crumbled upon opening. Stewed plums, leather, cigar box. Enjoyable and there's no reason to hold off on opening these up!
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5/11/2013 - theharve Likes this wine: 94 Points
bought at the winery and at 55 since. almost at peak classic calif cab.won't try again for a yr.
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5/4/2013 - n2wine Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good wine. On its last leg though. Drink now.
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4/27/2013 - Javachip wrote: 88 Points
Allowed to breathe in glass 30 minutes before tasting. Clear garnet-ruby-blood red color. This bottle seemed fully evolved, likely past prime, with notes of savory meat, tobacco, red plum, red currants, cedar, leather, and herbs. Bouquet actually freshened up and became more enjoyable with air. Medium-full body, balanced, elegant, with medium finish.
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4/18/2013 - AccaDacca wrote: flawed
California Cab Night during Bachelor Week: Esta muerto
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3/30/2013 - floydtp wrote: 91 Points
Tasted non blind at home. Very tight when first opened. After a few hours of slow ox it opened up a bit. Nose of dark fruit mostly with a hint of tobacco. Palate of cassis and some cedar. Medium-short length finish with some sour cassis and leather. Nice acidity but still quite tannic and unlikely to improve. I doubt the fruit will last past the still angular tannins. Drink now and over the next 2 years.
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1/20/2013 - iamandyc wrote: 93 Points
Wonderful mature cab that had some bricking but was still fresh and lively on the palate. Plum and red fruits with some leather, chocolate and earth. Very smooth. Refined and graceful
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12/31/2012 - bullmrkt wrote: flawed
Rats...my first bottle was indeed a freakishly good one. This bottle had seriously faded fruit, and was a touch sour and tired. Oh well, cross your fingers, its fabulous if you get lucky with a good bottle.
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12/28/2012 - Thirsty1 Likes this wine:
Had this one along with the 89 BPR. This wine is at full maturity - I don't think it is improving but it's in a great spot. Little brick with some olive and dried cherry and glove leather. Fantastic balance with everything working together. Full midpallet and a long, glorius finish. I'd be drinking more of there if I had them.
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12/22/2012 - Milos Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wine of the night. I had several bottles over the past few years but this was the best. Bottle variations or just approaching peak?. I think the latter. Bright dark red, very little brick, if any. Dark cherry , black olives, plum, blackberry, iodine, cloves; just packed with complexity. Tannins and acidity are nicely supporting the fruit and long finish. A touch of strawberry and cedar on the finish. Very enjoyable.
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12/22/2012 - BrunelloBob wrote: 91 Points
Shattered the dry cork.
Pretty nose. Olive, more mineral than black fruit. Pretty mature, but still very good.
If I had more, I'd drink them, but I like da fruit.
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12/15/2012 - n2wine Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine has aged very well. While the traditional CA fruit has declined in 19 years in the bottle, the wine is exceptionally smooth. Very enjoyable and still has some life left in it.
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11/16/2012 - bullmrkt wrote: 94 Points
Delicious! This was probably a freak bottle, but wow this approached Bordeaux-like aged gracefulness...but with a distinctfully California character. Kalamata olive and cuban cigar nose; earthy, smooth red and dark fruits with some spice - and a sublimely long, balanced finished. The table was gushing praise.
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11/13/2012 - Morg wrote: 92 Points
Nothing much to add to what has already been written on this wine, this bottle was in perfect condition and drinking very well. May look to pick up a few more bottles, I'd say this has 3-5 years left on it.
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9/29/2012 - TJK wrote: 93 Points
Drank with several Napa wine industry friends on the deck with thick pork chops from The Fatted Calf. Great bottle. Also had a 1996 Rubicon. The crowd was split between the two for favorite. Still had fruit showing, smooth texture with some grip. It exhibited spice and dark fruits on the palate. Very enjoyable. 2 left and still have some life.
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6/19/2012 - wabi47 wrote: 89 Points
decanted for considerable sediment and immediately drunk; good plum made bright but the (sl more coarse than i recall) acidity; some tobacco; aging well.
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6/2/2012 - BigBoy_Sonoma wrote: 92 Points
A little fruit, earth tones, cassis, hints of cinnamon, and dried blueberries, smokey oak on the finish.
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5/16/2012 - chenturn@gmail.com wrote: 93 Points
- Garnet color.
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4/13/2012 - wabi47 wrote: 92 Points
opened with ah-so and decanted for sediment; bright and beautiful clear dark currant with some black raspberry; some clean earth and mineral; impeccable balance
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3/11/2012 - wabi47 wrote: 90 Points
clean raspberry nose; dark raspberry and mineral; more acid than fruit now but i like it this way; overall nicely balanced and has aged well. use the ah so opener for these corks
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2/11/2012 - BinVA wrote: 91 Points
Drank along with the 88 Beringer Reserve. I preferred the 93, wife and buddy preferred 88. The 93 still has some tannin and darker fruit than the 88. we were impressed that both are still drinkable.
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11/27/2011 - BobStroz wrote: 93 Points
Wonderful with steak! Nose was more earthy and musty and most Californians. Opened up fabuously in the decanter and brought hints of minerals and mild chocolate.
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11/24/2011 - dontime wrote:
PNP. Cork disintegrated. Mildly disappointing. Just purchased from a retailer who indicated these were library releases from Beringer and were drinking beautifully. Muted nose of earth and mushrooms. Very soft on the palate with herbs, earth, maybe some chocolate notes. Live and learn.
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11/16/2011 - wabi47 wrote: 88 Points
similar to previous notes tho a little leaner; the corks in this case have faded faster than the wine.
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11/13/2011 - andtheodor wrote: 91 Points
I was pleasantly surprised by this after being prepared for another disappointment. Fresh, bright cassis fruit on top of capsicum and cedar, this gained traction with air and turned into a real beauty and I can begin to understand why it has a reputation. Luscious, balanced, totally Napa, and very good!
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11/13/2011 - AccaDacca wrote: 89 Points
Not as impressive as my prior bottle in August 2011. Fruit had faded on this once and acidity a bit soft. Pleasant wine, but this bottle had seen better days. Have one left and will likely drink it soon.
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10/22/2011 - Burgundy Al wrote: 85 Points
Another Saturday at Knightsbridge - mostly blind (Northbrook, IL): Tasted double blind. Fading black fruit lost behind some fairly solid tannins.
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9/24/2011 - BigBoy_Sonoma Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark fruit, green pepper and veggies, hint of black pepper, saw dust, minerality and cedar. A-
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9/16/2011 - D.Callahan Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delicious cab that is drinking very well now. Still very good fruit and decent acidity with mellow tannins. Dark purple with no bricking at the edges. Nose took a while to open up then showed some berries, smoke and leather. The palate was very balanced with berries, smoke, leather and loads of chocolate. Very good, smooth, lengthy finish. Ed Sbragia did a great job with this blend and the once notable tannins are well integrated now.
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9/16/2011 - Robbinson wrote: 93 Points
The last of my case and the best tasting experience of the case- vibrant fruit with many layers of dark berry, cherry and hints of vanilla. This wine aged beautifully and showed its real character in 2011. Soft texture, long finish with lingering fruit and no after bite. The type of wine that leaves you looking for another drop. If I could fill my cellar with this wine, I would gladly do so.
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9/8/2011 - Robbinson wrote: 93 Points
I had a case of this wine and I have been drinking it through the years - only a couple of bottles left and tonight was the most pleasurable experience I recall with this wine. After decanting and letting this breath for 2 hours, color is still vibrant and inviting, nose is big fruit (surprising). On tasting, the expectation from the nose was not disappointed, with this wine serving up an interesting array of cherry, dark berry and just the right amount of punch. The finish is smooth and left me looking for another taste.
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8/31/2011 - wabi47 wrote: 91 Points
similar to previous notes; this has aged quite well
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8/21/2011 - wabi47 wrote: 92 Points
from a case picked up at winery discount sale earlier this year; needs an hour decant for sediment and to let the musty smells blow off; just right balance of still bright fruit and some tart/earth/leather background; remains surprisingly good
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8/11/2011 - wabi47 wrote: 92 Points
bright cherry and red currant; nice balance of sweet fruit and sl tart mineral, leather tobacco; good acidity; still has some stuffing and length; this has aged well; day 2 drier fruit and more leather but still good acidity kept it buoyant.
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8/10/2011 - AccaDacca wrote: 92 Points
Continue to be pleasantly surprised each time I open a bottle of this. Decanted for an hour - didnt find the musty nose others have mentioned, nor the cork issues, just a typical cabernet aroma. Medium body, deep cherry red color with fair amount of sediment. Well balanced w/fruit and tannins, would say it has aged well and is at peak, maybe slightly past.
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7/26/2011 - wabi47 wrote: 91 Points
decanted for cork bits and sediment; opened up in 30minutes with sweet dark berry, leather, earth; hint of cedar and herb; nice balance and midpalate; surprisingly buoyant
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7/24/2011 - andtheodor wrote: 87 Points
Cherry, tobacco leaf, chocolate, coffee nose. Medium acid and structure with a considerable amount of oak showing. The sparse fruit is faded and dried out on the palate leading to a heavy and muddled character that gives way to mint and creamy oak on the finish. I don't see this going anywhere but down.
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7/23/2011 - iamandyc wrote: 94 Points
Loved it again. Maybe seemed a little more mature than a year ago. Cork did crumble but no signs of seepage or anything else wrong. Sophisticated, layered, lovely.
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7/21/2011 - blanquito wrote:
A big step down, probably fading. The bouquet is going kinda herbal with some VA, and the palate us breaking up a bit. Too much oak, sweet without enough stuffing. Ugh. Unrated, overthehill.
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7/11/2011 - wabi47 wrote: 88 Points
tight must and sourness blew off quickly; black raspberry and currant, cigar box, soft albeit with good acidity; modest midpalate; still very good but drink now; reminder to self--dont use the old cork (that you were lucky to get out unscathed) to recork for the next day.
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5/31/2011 - Vinophiler wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured for our 18year anniversary after bombing with the '93 Giacosa Barolo. Fill was base neck and cork crumbled upon opening (hate it when that happens). Typical Beringer Resere Cab which held up ok with NY strips. Bottle was enjoyable but not nearly as good as the better vintages from Beringer.
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5/26/2011 - branman1986 wrote: 87 Points
Give it some time...very disjointed with pnp, also had a strange plasticky taste on the finish that eventually went away.
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5/22/2011 - wabi47 wrote: 92 Points
from a case picked up at the winery today (at their employee annual warehouse sale), then P/P at bottega; good cork, remarkably bright medium bodied cherry and currant, some tobacco, cassis, mineral; perfect balance; opened further over an hour but gone before we could further evaluate; would decant for sediment (or just floss afterward); surprisingly good and one of the better older (esp in an 'off year') calif cabs that i have recently tasted (perhaps aided by the provenance)
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5/10/2011 - sgamiz wrote: 94 Points
Had at Mastros in LA from a Magnum - I could just had smell theis wine all night long - just terrific with the same old great beringer reserve taste. I love to age this wines - they pay you back in spades!!!
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5/7/2011 - BigBoy_Sonoma wrote: 93 Points
Dark fruit, black pepper, fine pepper, more spice. Smokey oak on the finish. Nice length on finish.
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4/23/2011 - TSTEW22 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Not much left in terms of character but still enjoyable. We did not have lofty expectations prior to pouring it and I was pleasantly surprised to find some minor floral notes, tobacco, leather and licorice on the nose. Not even a trace of tannins which was to be expected. If you have any, I suggest drinking it as there's not much going on with this sub-par vintage.
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2/11/2011 - M Macht wrote: 84 Points
Medium red in color and body. The wine tasted austere and retrained with not much going on in the nose or finish. There were hints of fruit, chocolate and tobacco...what the wine likely was years ago. The wine is going away and it should be consumed now.
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1/16/2011 - darvid wrote:
From magnum. Dark purple-blue and almost opaque; very little browning at the edge. Scents of cedar, cassis, and masses of deep, sweet fruit just becoming secondary. Correct Napa cab richness and breadth. But a little heavier, clunkier and grainier in the mouth than one would hope - doesn't have the delineation, to say nothing of nobility or grandeur, of other early 90s vintages from this property (I've had better balanced PR from 1991, 1992, and 1994); comes off a bit like the 1990. More age won't hurt, but neither does it seem likely to help much.
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1/9/2011 - Eric wrote:
Dinner with Jancis Robinson (London): At first I mostly got some underbrush and currant character to this with enough minerality to make me think that perhaps this was right-bank Bordeaux. As it opened it did seem a bit sweeter over time with a pure, direct and not at all over the top personality. It is definitely moving towards a later stage of maturity but is also classically proportioned and very pretty California Cab.
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11/27/2010 - wineotim wrote: 92 Points
Got off to a rough start with the cork breaking apart...strained and decanted. Color is deep garnet, with just a little bricking at the edge. Typical pleasant upscale Cabernet aromas, flavor is bold, rich and elegant all at once. Tannins are integrated and mature. This wine is still going strong even after all these years in the bottle.
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11/26/2010 - chris_3 wrote: 90 Points
Lovely wine, beautifully balanced, smooth, silky - beautifully mature flavor
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11/16/2010 - stocksandbondage wrote: 91 Points
Drink it if you've got it. While the mouth feel and tannin structure was lovely and silky smooth, initially, the wine appeared to be dead and devoid of fruit. I expected the wine to fall apart quickly in the glass. Much to my delight, it did the exact opposite. The wine put on weight as pretty red raspberry and cassis flavors emerged. The finish was full of sweet tobacco.
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9/5/2010 - iamandyc wrote: 94 Points
Wonderful. Very consistent in style and quality to the other early to mid 90's Beringer PR Cabs. Love their sophistication, balance and velvety body as they breathe. Great bottle. Plenty of life left. Nice cab nose without heat. Plum and leather with nice finish. LOVE IT!
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8/28/2010 - OneLastSyrah Likes this wine: 92 Points
14.1% ABV. Popped and poured. This had a pristine cork. Translucent ruby with a slight amber hue, turning more clear tawny at the rim. Initially this had a slight dusty green pepper quality on the nose that faded after about forty minutes and seemed to take on a more bottle sweet aroma. Medium full bodied and riper than the nose initially suggested with red currant fruit and caramel. This was a pleasant surprise. Drink now.
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8/14/2010 - BigBoy_Sonoma wrote: 93 Points
The wine smelled of earthy and mushrooms. The taste had dark fruit, red cherries, a little minerality and cedar. It finishes toasted oak. The wine is smooth and drinking perfectly 17 years since harvest.
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8/14/2010 - HofstraJet wrote:
Delicious.
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7/25/2010 - tplskylrk wrote: 94 Points
This bottle even better. A little younger so maybe better storage. Great almost 20 yr Cali stuff.
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4/24/2010 - Milos wrote: 92 Points
Dark red in colour with a touch of brick on the rim; black berry, licorice and wood on the nose, slightly overripe fruit; intense flavours on the palate and long finish; some tannins still remain but overall balance and structure is very good.
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4/4/2010 - rcasaw wrote: 93 Points
Opened for Pork Loin Roast dinner..very light bouquet when opened...Dark clear appearance,no bricking on , nice legs on swirl. Taste of cherry, black currant, very little hash tannins good midpalate and long after finish. All this Improves with about an hour decanting. Very satisfying
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2/5/2010 - Old Amarone wrote: 92 Points
The nose was light on this upon opening, however it did develop a nice sweet red fruit nose after it sat and reached room temp! The taste was complex, sweet red fruit notes of Raspberry and Strawberry! My first 1993 and I have a few more to look forward to.
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1/30/2010 - Milos wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for about an hour. Very dark red, almost purple, with very little brick on the rim. Forward nose of dark fruit, plum, black tea and damp wood complexity. Well integrated ripe tannins, good middle palate and good finish. It would benefit from little more acidity. Drinking well now and will keep for a few years. Oveall, very enjoyable wine and worth the wait.
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12/28/2009 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 92 Points
Jonathan Dinh 4th Annual Magnum Birthday Dinner (Donato Enoteca, Redwood City, California): From magnum - opaque dark red violet color; big, cassis, berry, black currant, black fruit nose; tasty, solid, rich, ripe black fruit, berry, faintly herbal palate with soft tannins; medium-plus finish (much, much better in this format than when I had it in 750 ml earlier this year)
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12/21/2009 - djdaqm wrote: 91 Points
Decent but less than expected bouquet with secondary aromas of leather and cedar. Reserved wine. Lighter body than expected and a bit thinner than other vintages of this same wine. Good structure, but felt short on complexity and power. Length of about 25 seconds. Well balanced but not much of anything.
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12/21/2009 - Michael6296 wrote: 92 Points
With Mike and Julie Brang and Tom, the owner of the Scotch and Sirloin.
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11/7/2009 - jgwino wrote:
Stunning wine. Great fresh fruit aromas, lots of blackberry, black cherry, vanilla and spice flavors. Long lingering finish.
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11/6/2009 - KeithAkers wrote: 92 Points
Cabernet Smackdown (Steve T's, Vernon Hills IL): nose: well balanced and pungent nose of pipe tobacco, red cherries, red and black currants, spice tones and some nice bits of leather. Real good depth and singing right now, this was a real nice
taste: Polished medium/full feel with good supporting tannins and a real classy feel with tones of red cherries, red and black currants and a good amount of various spice tones. Real good depth with a real nice expression to it
overall: Was rather surprised how well it showed in this field due to the style and vintage. This would've been a great wine to have with a smaller crowd as it demanded more attention then could be given in the format
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9/13/2009 - ipp wrote: 93 Points
little bit of brown on the edges ... great bottle bouquet ... liked it a lot
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8/29/2009 - mappleton wrote:
deep plum color with very little lightening. Still a rich nose of oak, but tons of fruit remaining. a beautiful wine with years ahead. the 93's are singing right now...
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8/28/2009 - Hazeo wrote: 91 Points
Rather musty upon opening, but developed an excellent bouquet quickly. Palette took a while to warm up but at its peak it offered soft dark fruit with dried black tea and a nice touch of elegance. The finish felt drying ... the fruit seems like its on the way out ... the wine is probably on the decline but it was a lovely refined cab.
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8/2/2009 - Thralow wrote: 92 Points
Drank for our anniversary. 16 years.
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6/27/2009 - Nutty08 wrote: 90 Points
Currants, cedar box, wet earth on the nose, though rather subtle and closed. Palate with nicely balanced acidity and tannin, cassis, currants and cedar. Juicy fruit up front giving way to dry tannin. medium finish of cedar box and a little mocha. Nice pretty mature Cali cab without much flash, but focused, enjoyable and well made. Probably on the downward slope of it's drinking window.
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6/23/2009 - jgrapski wrote: 93 Points
Drinking quite well. Cherry, plum, medium bodied.
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6/13/2009 - kenv wrote: 94 Points
Steve Saxon Offline @ Zach's in Mt. Snow (Zach's Ski House near Mt. Snow Vermont): A huge red wine. Really impressive for the vintage. If I've had this before, I don't recall it being this good. Loads of delicious red fruit. A very forward and appealing wine. I would assume it's at its peak now. I could drink this all night.
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5/30/2009 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 93 Points
Very lively appearance; deep and rich, some chocolate, eucalyptus, raisins, good blackcurrant fruit, well-judged oak, vinous, powdery; on the palate full and rich, the weight (14.5%) buffered by refreshing acidity and velvety tannins, a bit port-like but not in a bad way; excellent length. Flashy but profound.
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4/30/2009 - wineismylife wrote: 92 Points
WIML92. No notes. Drink now.
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2/6/2009 - Drinkup714 wrote: 93 Points
So who says there is no upside to the eco-meltdown. I bought a case of this for $41.00 PB. The wine is drinking great but still has many years of great drinking. Deep Ruby, Great cherry nose, Black Licorice, plum and a really nice minerally finish with plenty of tannins.
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1/29/2009 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 82 Points
Beringer Cabernets '91-'93 Blindtasted (Tom's House, Palo Alto, CA): Group's #5 (my #7) – 63 pts.; 1, 1, 2, 1 – medium red violet color; tart cherry, graphite, plum and mulberry nose; dullish berry, dried out black fruit palate with tannin; short-medium dry finish
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1/28/2009 - spacewrangler wrote: 92 Points
In a great place right now, enticing tar/earth/tobacco nose, with red fruit like you'd find in a Chambolle, tannin still giving the wine a stick-to-it-ness in your mouth. Complex and interesting, wish I had a lot more of these.
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1/27/2009 - tplskylrk wrote: 93 Points
Beautiful dusty mature Cab color. Not red, not black, not brown. Red fruits sail across the palate, nice transition, great finish. Also some of those earthy flavors, notes. Again as before, dried & stewed fruits. dusty, just a great mature CAli Cab. CNY Mortons HK.
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11/25/2008 - Nutty08 wrote: 91 Points
Cork just exploded into the bottle upon opening.Clear ruby coloring Despite this, initially had a clear precise nose of cassis and cherry. Focused palate, a little thin, with perceptible tannins. Finish was oak and mineral, and a little short. 2hrs after opening i the decanter, nose was much more mature, with fig,mushroom, flint, and coffee notes. Palate had put on weight, more complex mature notes, and finish had initial cherry character that gave way to mineral, mocha, and earth. Always balanced and focused, with soft structure. No rush to drink this, but drinking quite well now and I'm not sure it will get too much better. Interestingly, after 4 hrs, seemed flat and simple, loosing much of it's fruit and complexity. Still good, not great.
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11/2/2008 - pinotwinelover wrote: 95 Points
This is why you age a wine. This was from a 3L so probably aged better than a single. Wonderful cab purity, just a little browing on the edges. We had the clio 99 pointer with it and this refined cab was a favorite over the super extracted style made so often now.
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11/1/2008 - King of all vines wrote: 95 Points
There are few times in life where one can experience an epiphany. In my wine life it has now occured twice. My first time was back in 2004 when I visted Napa for the first time and drank my first wine which was a 2001 Cliff Lede Stag Leap's District Cabernet and realized how great wine really tasted. My second time came when I took a drink of this magnificent beauty. This is at minimum a 95+. I now know what silk tastes like. Just the right amount of fuit with a finish that seemed to go forever. This immediately makes me want to take every one of my bottles of Cab from after 2000 and bury them in the backyard and forget them for the next decade. This is a 15 year old wine that has another decade to go. At least.
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8/8/2008 - tplskylrk wrote:
TWATS V; 8/8/2008-8/9/2008 (Château D' Stearns): Looks corked, burnt on the nose, short & front finish. Goat or blue cheese. Dry fruits, sour fruit, stewed fruit & sweet. Guessed at 92-93 / 95-96
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5/23/2008 - jri wrote:
Nice bouquet, beautiful long finish. This wine is drinking so well. Another 3-5 years might be just right for me.
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4/21/2008 - spotfin wrote: 92 Points
Nearing maturity.
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2/24/2008 - ipp wrote: 93 Points
pretty bottle aroma ... at 15, still has good body and tannic structure ... well balanced
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2/13/2008 - Thralow wrote: 94 Points
Half the cork broke off in the bottle. Not so much the fault of the cork as my haphazard technique. The result, though, was that i had to get my face down close to the bottle to wrestle out the rest of the stopper. I should do this more often, because as i pulled out the final remnants i was hit with the 15 year old air from the neck. Almost intoxicating by itself, the air was dusty cherry. Yes a "cork" odor was there too. But it was pleasant cork must. Old and, at the same time, fresh. I now vow to work harder to smell that bit air trapped in the bottle since the moment of sealing (even with younger wines) and listen closer as it introduces its friend below. I vow to try to not be in such a hurry to pour that first glass.
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12/31/2007 - sbfireman wrote: 93 Points
Fruit and finish! Smooth cab with muscle and some finese. No burn but a full bodied Cab.
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12/25/2007 - bobfrank wrote: 92 Points
10th bottle from the original case in 1998. Decanted for over an hour. Served with Prime Rib from the grill. Outstanding choice/compliment to the meal with yorkshire pudding, etc.
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4/25/2007 - boreddoughboy wrote: 92 Points
Full fruit forward, big wine in the twilight of its life. An excellent compliment to my brothers aged porterhouse. Nice mid palate with mellowing tannins....ready to drink
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12/24/2006 - bobfrank wrote: 93 Points
Still a major complement to a rib roast. Wow! Decanted for 1 1/2 hours.
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7/14/2006 - wineismylife wrote: 92 Points
anthonyiezzi Pre-birthday Dinnner (Limestone Cafe, Peapack, NJ): WIML92,PURPLE92,WA92,WS93
Tasted July 14, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet glass. Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout with no evidence of bricking. Slight leather notes on the nose followed by a little green pepper before finally turning into red currants, maybe some red cherries and even a little melted red licorice. Flavors of red cherries, red berries and a little red licorice. Good acidity still. Well integrated, somewhat silky tannins at this point. No reason to hold this one as I doubt it’ll improve but should hold for at least 3-4 years before you get around to drinking them. No value recommendation.
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5/31/2006 - ml wrote:
Big, bright, fruit-forward Cali cab. Probably the most "typical" of Napa cabs that I've had for a while, which is not saying anything bad - it was a nice change from some of the Bordeaux-like early 90's bottles I've had recently.
Overall very happy with it now - not a ton of tannin these days, but I don't think it's a huge rush to drink right now (though no reason not to).
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5/6/2006 - SacredCow wrote: flawed
Really a shame, since this was my last bottle, but I suspect it was cooked. It had absolutely no resemblance to the prior bottle in February. I hate when that happens with a final bottle, especially since I really enjoyed the prior one and was looking forward to this one.
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3/2/2006 - Topper wrote: 92 Points
Delicious Cal Cab likely at its peak right now. Bright fruit with cherry and blackberry both present. Almost a hint of a pinot noir quality in the dominant cherry flavors but with a classic cal cab profile. Served at a large dinner where each person only got one glass - I had only a few sips before I realized that my wife had finished both her glass and mine. A strong testimonial since she rarely finishes one glass.
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2/3/2006 - SacredCow wrote: 91 Points
Opened as a replacement for two corked bottles of other wines this night, so it had very little time in the decanter.
Nose of cedar, chocolate and black currants. On the palate, cherry, black cherry and hints of black currants and black licorice, along with a slightly herbal edge. Very nice medium finish, with a bit of spice and well-integrated, though still present, tannins.
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11/22/2005 - Cilantro wrote: 95 Points
Decanted 10 hours. Nose of warm chocolate and fruit. Delicious core of dusty blackberry/cherry fruit. Incredibly smooth texture, 15-20 second finish. This is at its peak!
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8/6/2005 - benm024 wrote: 87 Points
I’m not sure I have ever tasted anything like this. This was literally like eating a jar of strawberry jam with a cough syrup chaser. This was the most jammy fruit forward wine I have ever tasted. Gobs of strawberry, cherry, with some very mild oak. No tannin to speak of and a medium finish. This was the last thing I was expecting when I tasted this wine. It was an interesting visit, but I wouldn’t wanna live there. 87 pts.
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3/22/2005 - mdefreitas wrote: 93 Points
Resolved tannins, elegant and flavorful. Hints of chocolate and cassis, with velvety structure. At peak?
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10/26/2004 - mdefreitas wrote: 91 Points
Good fruit, a bit of earth and leather. Holding up well.
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5/21/2004 - wineismylife wrote:
Tasted at an offline so brief comments only. This wine is still drinking well. Nose of cedar and chocolate. Flavors of cherries, red currants and fresh herbs. Still a good balance between the tannins and acidity. Should hold for another 2-4 years but I see no reason not to go ahead and drink these. This was part 2 of my winning trifecta during the night.
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5/8/2004 - futronic wrote: 94 Points
Decanted ~ 1hour. Dark garnet/black colour. Big nose of cassis, black figs, black licorice, oak/vanilla, black crushed fruit, lead pencil, and smoke. Full-bodied, powerful wine with blackcurrant, raspberry, black figs, and banana. Moderate finish, ~30-40s with licorice and cassis. Drinking wonderfully right now. James Laube should re-taste this wine that he recently rated 89.
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1/18/2004 - AlexHop wrote: 92 Points
Drank at Masa's SF.
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6/3/2003 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
Rareshides tasting at Maguire's: Rich with a touch of cigar in a sweet way. Nice surprise.
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11/26/2002 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 90 Points
Tasted at Tapenade with Rob Norberg (and family), Linda Brewton and David Derby. The wine was brought from Linda's personal cellar. Bright disc. Opaque garnet robe with orange rim. Clean nose, showing moderately intense plum, chocolate and raisin. Very ripe and full-bodied on the palate, with massive sweet tannins and similar flavors as for the nose. Medium, smooth finish.
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11/20/1999 - mdefreitas wrote: 92 Points
Beringer Vertical @ Surf Village (Milford): Rich black fruits,licorice, tar and tannic. A bit too early to drink, but all the elements seem to be in place.
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