Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I used to drink this producer in the late 90’s & early 2000’s. I’ve been revisiting older vintages based on recent price points. I think they sold a bunch of their cellar for revenue. It is out of need after the Glass Fires. They were somewhat consumed by it. The winery & part of their vineyards. Unfortunate!!!

Decanted an hour and enjoyed over 2-3 hours.

I was further inspired to acquire the 2006 by @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego who posted more than respectful thoughts of the 2006 not long ago. So, I acquired some winery stored bottles at $39. A more than fair price point. The cork had a millimeter or less along its side. The bottle neck showed trapped tannins. Extremely solid.

The nose is inviting. Slightly smoky & nicely ripe; dark core of blackberries, dark cherries, poached/baked strawberries, plum, blueberries and pomegranate. Slate, gentle, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, mid & light berry cola/licorice-red vines, soft dry tobacco, used leather, very soft graphite, graceful herbaceous notes, whiff with black & white pepper, dark, rich soils, mix of limestone/sandstone, red florals/roses, dark florals and purple lily blossoms.

The entry is elegant, ripe, slightly rich with nothing bitty. Medium, softened, mushy tannins. It shows nearly perfect elegance at or just and I mean just the other side of its peak. Ripe; dark core of blackberries, dark cherries, poached/baked strawberries, plum, blueberries, raspberries and pomegranate hues. Slate, gentle, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, mid & light berry cola, soft dry, used tobacco w/ ash, used leather, graphite, herbaceous notes, stem inclusion, some black & white pepper, dark spice box with mid intensity palate heat, layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & understated vanillin, dark chocolate, caramel, steeped teas, moist to dry volcanic clays, rich, dark, almost sweet soils, mix of limestone/sandstone, red florals/roses, dark florals and purple lily blossoms, very nice acidity, evolved, well-knitted, balanced, structured, tensioned, elegant finish that lasts nearly two-minutes and long sets on spice and beautiful earthiness. This will drink nicely for another 5+ yrs.

A good revisit and perhaps the most elegant Cain Five I’ve had.

Photos of; the Cain Five vineyards, Chris Howell-Winemaker, pressed grapes and the somewhat unglamorous cleaning out of stainless steel tanks after initial fermentation. — 2 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Pale straw color. Aromas of citrus, orange blossoms and slate. Wow! What crisp, dry Riesling from Mosel! Citrus, bright- killer! — 4 years ago

Susan Hanners

9.1

Cranberry/currant on the nose, bizzare color, 1st sip raspberrish second taste apricot yet tart — 6 years ago

Karen Weaver

10

Karen beech. - birthday 2020 — 6 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.0

Not exactly my style but it’s done well, so it’s good. Actually ended up enjoying this more than 75’s Cab. — 7 years ago

with Krystal

Caitlin

8.9

Good
But notably Sweet — 2 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.4

N sulfur. Classic mosel.

P wow. Green apple jolly rancher. Long.

Grapex 256 — 3 months ago

Peter Montoleone

9.4

Drinking really well right now! — 3 months ago

Phil Kessling

8.9

Good but will be so much better with age. Crisp and fruity Kabinett. — 6 months ago

Kamall

9.2

Deep, dark and lovely texture. — 5 years ago

Jocelyn Yard

9.9

Liquid perfection and shockingly drinkable straight out of the bottle. Didn’t need to decant — 6 years ago

Maciej Kurka

9.5

For my 500th reviewed wine it happened to be this one. And ‘08 is so good. Saline, yeasty, full of energy. Just like this 2020 so far for me. I’m getting more. Cheers — 6 years ago

Leslie Bartos

9.7

Wow! It’s been several years since our last bottle and it was worth the wait. Happy to have 4 more! Delicious fruit with plenty of brightness. Wonderfully balanced. — 7 years ago

with Tony

ESF

9.0

charming style, teeniest tiniest hint of RS, low ABV - slight petrol yielded apricot, peach, apple, confectionery sugar, bit of stony minerality - crisp acidity, refreshing beach aperitif. Bump for QPR — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2006 vintage. Medium/medium-heavy body. Tannins pretty well-integrated at this point. If it is not at the top of its’ particular bell curve, darn near close. 3.20.26. — 3 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Ruby with elegant red fruit aromas and gentle floral spice, aged for 10 months in French oak. On the palate flavors of cherry and cranberry with notes of tea, herb pepper with wet stone notes. Soft tannins on a long finish ending with fruit, spice and earthy mineral notes. Very Nice! — 5 months ago

Alan Weinberg

9.2

So good I opened another. — 9 months ago

David Nicewicz

9.3

Birth year Bordeaux and this has been excellent. Very old school nose of copious tobacco, forest floor and dark berries. Medium bodied but gaining intensity over the course of 2 h - tannins completely melted. Bricking is apparent on first pour but the color grows darker with time. Perfect bottle that is a little past it’s prime but fun to step back in time. — 5 years ago

Orlando Müller

8.9

Rote Beeren.
Mittlerer Körper.
Schöner Abgang. Trinkt sich schön. — 6 years ago

Kevin Blix

9.1

Great complex flavor — 6 years ago