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! — 5 years ago
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. — 7 years ago
I wasn’t expecting this to work since the last one I opened was shot. This tastes a bit different than I expected but is still has a great color. The nose is a bit muted which I don’t think is a surprise and it’s a bit more acidic than I recall. Residual/crystalized sugar at the bottom of the glass so maybe that has precipitated out and changed the flavor a bit. The finish is lasting but more on the puckering side than I would have expected. — 5 months ago
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. — 5 years ago
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. — 7 years ago
305 group annual 10 yr Napa cab retrospective — 8 months ago
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. — 5 years ago
Rolf Hanson
1 1/2 hr decant, 2006 vintage — 4 months ago