Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2002 vintage. Decanted with just a little sed. Tasted immediately and after 2 hours. Medium-heavy body. Some pencil shavings and fudgesicle in the nose. Chocolate-covered raisin and dark-skinned ripe plum in the flavors. Initially, still pretty rich and "fat." Thinned out somewhat at the 2 hour mark whilst acquiring a pittance of tannins for a bit more balance. Still, waves of persistence and follow-through. Have tasted a few Napa merlots over the years since the 1985 vintage. This may be the best of them all. Still has at least 8-10 years of quality drinking ahead. This is solidly "in the zone." 11.21.23. — 17 days ago

LM Segal

9.5

Feminine and delicate, needed 30 mins to come together but wow, dark red floral bouquet with pencil lead. Roasted vanilla and espresso with black fruit and the finest tannins, fully resolved. Bordeaux vibe but New World. Blind I would’ve called Napa, maybe an old Blankiet in a good year. Phenomenal, drink up. — 4 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.2

So, as I understand it this one was about 50 Syrah, 30cab, and the balance PV. Good wine, and apparently was opened up yesterday and decanted for quite a few hours before being served toeday. Immediately the front hits you with that Paso Syrah fruit. Blackberry, spiced cinnamon cake, herbal middle. The finish shows tamed acidity and definitely some oxidation likely in part due to the decant times but was showing some pepper and spiced fruitcake. This wine almost seemed to have a bit of an oxidized quality on the finish. IMO, the 20 percent PV and 30% cab really don't show until the very back. The fruit is definitely ample, and it wins that award hands-down with exception to the 2011 Morlet that outdid it in the youthful fruit / jammy fruit category. Finished with lots of oak like the 2008 Blankiet. This one still has 10 years ahead of it easily but was good to enjoy tonight. — 6 years ago

with Benjamin

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2002 vintage. Decanted and tasted over the course of two hours. Great fill. Excellent cork. Heavy body. Initially, just oodles of richness (still!) but after 30 minutes, began to fill in structural details on the back end dossier. First impressions, a 9.3 so things definitely improved. Tasted more like a 2016 or newer vintage-very fresh. Nicely made and seems to be effortlessly gliding along currently. Feel it needs another 4-5 years to kick in the door to "the zone" but in the adjacent zip code currently. Still on the ascent to the top of the bell curve. Be patient. 12.8.23. — 8 hours ago

E & K G

9.3

My fault for letting that humidity get to the red paper that wrapped the bottle. Damage only limited to the label, thankfully. Concentrated red and blue fruit. Focused on the palate with a long finish. Tannins are really integrated and this bottle is 100% pleasure! — 4 years ago

Matt Trader

9.3

2010 Erba Cabernet Sauvignon is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon,7.5% Merlot,3.5% Cab Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, crafted by Denis Malbec - bless his soul - also known for Blankiet, owned by Paul Erba, all sourced from their mountain side vineyards ranging from 1100-1500 ft, on the peak next to Atlas Peak. 2010-2012 was Denis Malbec, and 2012-present is now Russell Bevan.
Beautiful wine for the value, and a bit of a sleeper! 2010 is still tight and young, and will attest time - will age like the best of mountain style wines.

Aromas of black plum skins, gravel dust, mashed blueberries and lavender, pencil box, espresso, black pepper, and leather. The pallet is dark, clean, and focused like St. Julien, but more fruit forward, exhibiting notes of casis, delicious red apple skins, dried cherries, bell pepper, clove, nutmeg, olive, smoked herbs, vanilla, and a bit of grippy tannin to the finish. For $90, this stuff is excellent. Can't wait to try the 2012 made by Russell Bevan! Paul Erba told me that he will be producing a single vineyard wine from Paul Erba's property next year as well! Glad to have this in my cellar. — 6 years ago

Kris

9.6

Epic wine. — 7 years ago

Anthony James Marr

9.0

Napa Bordeaux blend - Black currant, violets, cherry, cedar and spice - plenty of fruit - likely peaking - opened up with some air — 2 months ago

Leslie

9.5

Elegant, mouth filling loveliness. — 2 months ago

Shay A

9.5

An absolutely stunning lunch from @joe leatherwood today. 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 5 reds and 1 dessert wine. All served blind.

This was only one year off from the Blankiet of being the youngest wine on the table, but it seemed so much younger than that. Compared to the ‘97 Insignia on the table, similarities abounded. Baking spices, soft/bruised plum, blackberries, even some blue fruit peeking through. Oak was more noticeable and it was decidedly more tannic and dense from start to finish (even when it had been decanted for 8hrs). Very surprised (in a good way) that this is 18yr Old Napa Cab...no rush here. I called this mid-‘00s Napa Cab. — 4 years ago

with joe, Dan and 1 other