Robert Ahlstrom

9.1

Lovely deep garnet, red fruit, opened up over the evening — 12 days ago

Suneal Vishnupad

9.4

I quite enjoyed this but Kayla didn’t quite love it. Very big, well integrated. Lots of cream de cassis. — 9 months ago

with Kimberly and Kayla

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Many of you that see my posts know I don’t open a Napa Cabernet this young. However, this was selling at my Costco for $69.99. K&L Wine Merchants $99.99. Delectable at $115. So, I had to buy a four. I coravined this bottle for a Somm friend last weekend who likes his Napa reds young. 🤷‍♂️

While this has seen a bit of bottle evolution, it still needs another 6-8 yrs before I open another and has the potential to pick up another point or two then.

Nose shows; brambly blackberries, stewy black plum, black raspberries, darkest cherries, boysenberries and strawberries off the glass edges. Dry tobacco, leather, dark spice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon notes, vanilla, anise, dark, rich, turned earth and withering, dark, slightly candied flowers.

The palate expresses some evolution. It is rich, ripe; brambly blackberries, stewy black plum, black raspberries, darkest cherries, boysenberries, hints of blueberries and strawberries off the glass edges. Tarry, dry medium plus tannins. Dry tobacco, leather, dark spice with a touch of heat, mixed darker berry cola, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon notes, vanilla, black tea, anise, mixed fresh & drier herbs, dark, rich, turned earth, barrel shavings/dust, a hint of black pepper, moist, grey clay, dry top soil, dry river stone and withering, dark, red, slightly candied flowers with violets, very round, phat acidity with a well; balanced, big structured, tensioned, lush, elegant and nicely layered & polished finish that lasts a full 90 seconds. Still kind of in its primary stage.

This is made by Chris Carpenter who also makes; Lokoya, Cardinale, La Jota, Hickinbotham (Australia) made at Yangarra. Sofia & I tasted at Yangarra and after tasted his Hickinbotham with him in 2017.

Photos of; staff picking on Mount Veeder, Chris Carpenter in the cellar and scenic shot of Mount Veeder. — a year ago

ESF

9.2

confirmed previous note from over a year ago - just fantastic stuff! — 3 months ago

LM Segal

9.7

So awesome to crack this ‘97 last night with a Wagyu steak. Killer nose of camphor and shroomy undergrowth led a powerful, feminine palate of cassis and light espresso, dark red and blue fruit. Initially came across as young but quickly bricked out visually and as it came to room temp the secondary aromatics - pencil shavings of note - and palate layers - vanilla, espresso, blackcurrant, roasted chocolate bean, light oak - came through. It stayed strong for over 2 hours in decanter and kept evolving, but then headed for a downslope not unexpected for a 27 year old (to say nothing of its downsloping taster!). — 9 months ago

Aaron Tan

8.9

Big fruit. Paired pretty well with some Mimolette. — 3 years ago

Ethan Karas

9.4

Celebrating a special occasion… — 5 months ago

with Matt

John Van Trijp

9.4

The new White Cuvee — a year ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.0

@delectable: this is the Révélation de Croix Cardinale — a year ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 1997 | Laurel, introverted, quite strict, Bordeaux alike > Claudi Cardinale alike — 4 years ago