Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some signs of very fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mostly ripe with some tart and drying fruits: cassis, blackberries, pipe tobacco, Serrano pepper, purple flowers, leather, and a pleasant mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the alcohol is medium+. FWIW, this is an impressive wine on the nose and the palate.
Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet Sauvignon (or blend there of) or Sangiovese-blend, or Tempranillo (or blend) from the United States, France, Italy or Spain. However, the shear generosity of fruit and lavish oak treatment leads me to Napa. Additionally, there’s a structure that gives me mountain fruit vibes. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, 2015. Perhaps I was trying to be a bit too clever but scoring lots of points nonetheless. Probably one of the more memorable, contemporary Freemark Abbey’s I’ve had. Really impressive. Drink now through 2050. — 3 months ago
We don’t get much Sémillon. Too bad. Eric and Alison did a great job on this one. — 7 months ago
Delicious and bright. — 3 years ago
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.
Fruity nose and full bodied with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate and complex.
Showing black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, toast, light vanilla, spices, dark chocolates, licorice, coffee, tobacco, light earth, herbs and peppercorn.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a delicious Merlot from Napa Valley. Rich and fruit forward. Nicely balanced with nice complexity. Tangy and interesting.
Good right out of the bottle, and better after 90 minutes of airtime.
Still young, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly, but already drinking beautifully.
A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with food.
A blend of 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 19 months in (32% new) French Oak barrels.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$55. — 2 months ago
Very good and buttery! Amazing for $20 — 3 months ago
Primarily (83%) Cabernet Sauvignon with some other Bordeaux varietals blended in. Pleasant aromas of violets, roses, black currant/black berry. Dark cooked fruit flavors with hints of soy sauce and beef jerky. Pleasant touch of oak on the finish. Fresh acidity. Good balance. Pleasant surprise. — 4 years ago
Dark and brooding but with a velvety textured and gritty tannins. Prune, dark fruit, cedar, sandalwood. 13.9% ABV — 2 months ago
Located halfway up the hill dominating the principal valley of Barolo, supported by steep slopes lined by orderly vineyards, lies the 15th century Abbey of Annunziata. Deep Ruby with aromas of ripe berry fruits and pepper spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and strawberry, lively spice, well balanced with savory fine tannins on a medium+ finish ending with mineral character. — 2 months ago
Pale lemon color with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with toasty aromas, aged in about 35% new oak. On the palate flavors of melon and peach with lemon citrus zest and nutty vanilla notes, good balanced with acidity. Medium+ finish ending with fruit, oak and mineral character. — 9 months ago
Lovely at 23. Pure and stylish. — 4 years ago
Mmmm a cab I can get into. Heavy but not too much tannins. Very cherry. — 6 years ago
Steven Moya
Love the Justin brand. — a month ago