This is certainly a step up from the 2014. The question is whether it is the vintage or just the extra year in bottle. I suspect both but mostly the later. The nose has cassis and spice but none of the bell pepper of the 2014. On the palate, this has just a bit more precision and a bit more ripeness. Both are young and it will be very interesting to follow them. There is still room for this to improves as well.
Nice wine. It seems young and has a chance to come together and score higher. Right now, its more pieces parts. The nose is cassis, and some green bell pepper along with baking spices. On the palate, there are strong tannins. Plenty of cassis with some depth. Tight finish. I would hold or give this a long decant right now.
Excellent wine. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, chocolate and spice. On the palate, slight tannins. Really delicious. Deep. Plenty of cassis fruit, some dark cherries and a bit of milk chocolate. Nice finish. Has a decade or two of life left.
Revisited on 10/26/18. This is singing along. Notes consistent with a year ago. Still tannic and tight but with a lot of potential.
Purple in color. The nose shows cassis and chocolate but also some green bell pepper. On the palate, it comes across as a Bordeaux. If that bell pepper quality is an issue, then you will not like this. For me, however, I don't mind it if there is still good fruit and depth. This has that. Medium tannins. 14.5% on the label. This wine seems like it will improve with a few years in the cellar.
Forman Cabs often fly under the radar for some reason. This was quite good. At 13 years from vintage, it still has a long life left. The bottle was opened and allowed to breath for ten hours. It was decanted for sediment and served. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, char, slight spice and a bit of plums and tobacco. With air, a bit of anise emerged. On the palate, this is, at this stage, neither powerful nor elegant but somewhere in the middle. Really good cassis and dark cherry fruit layered with tobacco and slight tannins. Decent acidity. Nice finish. It is certainly from
A very nice dometicc sparkling wine. Honestly, i have no idea who Rebecca Minkoff is, but congrats to her. The packaging on this bottle is very pretty and it would make a welcome and tasty Holiday or Host gift. Light golden in color, lots of small bubble. On the nose, there is some yeast and some citrus. On the palate, this is tsaty and would work well with a variety of foods. I would drink this up sooner than later but it is easy to drink. At under $30, this is a nice value for a bit of a more serious sparkler.
Another stellar wine from one of the best producers in Napa. This is still quite tight but with air opened up beautifully. That said, this still needs time. Inky purple in color. The nose is classic, old school Napa cabernet. Cassis, slight pencil lead, and a slight violet notes on the nose. On the palate, this has a great juicy texture. Almost seamless. Again, give this a few years and this probably merits a perfect score. Cassis, graphite and cedar notes. Long finish.
Wow. An amazing wine. Like many 2012's, this is accessible now, but still has a long life left. This is just incredible. From the first sip, this is special. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, pencil lead/gravel and floral notes. On the palate, this is seamless. Juicy acidity. Firm but manageable tannins. Layers of gravel, cassis and graphite. Long finish. So delicious too. About as good as Napa Cabernet gets. And you know what, with some age, it might even get better.
Stunning Wine. Still quite youthful at this point. It needs cellar time or a good decant. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, pencil lead and cedar. On the palate. it has firm tannins. Nice balance. It opens in the glass with plenty of cassis fruit, a mineral base and streaks of graphite. Long finish. Drinking on the more elegant side of Napa Cabs. Built to last another 30 years.
OK. My first 100 point review for Intowine.com. And it deserves it. This bottle was opened about 7 hours prior to consuming and decanted about an hour prior. That seemed about right but it could probably have taken a lot more air. The thing I loved about it was how smooth and elegant it is while a the same time not being in any way shy or reserved or even feminine. Think Cary Grant. Purple in color. The nose is great with cassis, slight dark chocolate, slight coffee grounds. Also some cedar and spice. On the palate, this is seamless. Juicy. deep and layers of tight complexity un
