A good, solid California Cab but what’s all the fuss about? I’m seeing ratings of 98, 99, even 100 from JS. Really? No way. This is a clear case of praise crossing over into hype. Granted, still a bit young and not at its peak but after five years in the bottle and an hour of decanting it needs to be more than just fine if it wants to justify stratospheric scores. This wine compares unfavorably to Ridge Monte Bello, Stags Leap Cask 23 and other peers. It lacked sophistication and poise—where’s the promised minerality, graphite, cedar shavings, oak, leather, blackcurrant, cherry, and complex balance of fine grained tannins, fruit, acid and alcohol? Where? We chose this wine for a birthday dinner at Lawry’s Prime Rib in Beverly Hills. Not a disaster but a disappointment given our high expectations (and the high price).
— 2 months ago
Amongst the second growths, the wine of the night (still can’t top the Lafite Rothschild). Really singing. The last glass, poured from another bottle, was less dynamic. I’ve had a good bit of 1989 Gruaud Larose in the last several years, and it is a great wine in this vintage. — 2 months ago
Part of a Chateau Mouton Rothschild vertical from 1988-1990. The 1988 shows great color and is quite charming with notes of cassis, tobacco, leather some bell pepper and a cinnamon bark sort of thing on the nose. Structure remains firm and this was a little greener than the ‘89 and ‘90. There is no risk of this falling off anytime soon; probably good through 2038. — 21 days ago
Still with Violet. But ok to drink. Of course still solid. But not so tannic and acidic. Black currant, oak, leather. Good balanced. 20 @, Vin, 240928 — 2 months ago
Substance makes one of the best <$20 wines I’ve had in the last year. So I had expectations. Jeb Dunnuck rated this very high and I agree: a nose that reminds me of northern Rhône with a meaty flinty mineral quality complimented by violets and purple fruit. The wine has a lithe quality with dry tannins tending towards an earl grey tea in character and medium finish I wish was longer. Overall, a good wine. Is it 3x’s better than the cheaper bottle….I would say yeah…sure. 2018 vintage, Powerline vineyard. — 3 months ago
Served alongside beef short rib, xo sauce, pickled mustard seed, cumin stir-fried asparagus. This bottle of 2006 was throwing a ton of sediment. Showing mostly red fruits with red currants, new leather, tobacco, earth, forest floor, baking spices…a touch green. Hello Cabernet Franc!! Good structure. The finish is long. Every time I have the opportunity to enjoy Sassicaia, I am reminded why it’s one of the great wines of Italy. I just wish it wasn’t so expensive. Drink now through 2036. — 21 days ago
It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.
Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with nice complexity.
Showing black and red fruits with tobacco, chocolates, coffee, cola, cedar, leather, vanilla, spices, earth and peppercorn.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Complex, spicy and tangy. Rich and elegant.
Showing a great mouthfeel with good balance.
Needs 90 minutes of airtime to open up properly, so be patient.
I've had a few vintages of this wine, and it is very consistent, although not as good as their Estate Cabernet.
Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.
A nice sipping wine, good by itself or with food.
14.1% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$150. — 2 months ago
Medium garnet , medium wide garnet terracotta rim . Tobacco , sous bois , touch of ash and coffee . On the palate quite rounded but firm tannins , dark cassis , cedar , sous bois . Good acidity and medium grafite tinged finish . Overall a touch rustic in comparison to the other Leovilles , but this is drinking perfectly now , no rush however as this held up well in the glass,
so now and over the next 5-10 years — 3 months ago
Andrew Cullimore
Quite floral with plummy cassis, creamy blackberry and a touch of pencil lead, crushed rocks . On the palate this has quite good freshness , ripe cassis and blackberry , but with dusty firm tannins . Mineral , seashell hints of on the good length finish . Quite richly fruited but well balanced overall . This needs more time but for 2018 is promising, balanced with good freshness . Come back in 10 -15 years and will show well a further 10 — 3 hours ago