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. — 14 days ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark purple in color with a short purple rim.

Fruity nose, spicy and elegant, with nice complexity.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with medium acidity.

Showing blackberries, black currants, cooked plums, cedar, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, spices, earth, vanilla, coffee, cola and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This young Napa Cabernet needs three to five years in the bottle to mature properly.

Drinking nicely now, and needs 2 hours in the decanter to calm down a bit, and bring out the tannins and more structure.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years. Has good potential to become a 94+ point wine.

Spicy, rich and extracted.

A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7.5% Petit Verdot, 7% Merlot and 4.5% Malbec.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$55. — 3 years ago

Severn G

9.2

Nose has ripe blackberry, perfect black cherry, strawberry, tanned leather, moist chocolate cake, dry leaves and a touch of alcohol.

Palate has brown sugar dusted ripe strawberries, over-ripe black cherry, dehydrated strawberry, forest moss and moist soil; medium finish. Decanted 4H at the time of notes.

Paired with Taiwanese Five Spice Pork (Lu Rou Fan | 卤肉饭) over Jasmin rice with lightly fried eggs from our private egg factory in the backyard. Locally raised NY pork (Kinderhook Farm, Valatie, NY), Columbia Co. ❤️

Inaugural vintage. This was shortly after the time Duckhorn acquired Goldeneye and started a massive diversification program, isolating the vineyards into singular bottlings. For better or worse, we only lasted a few more years on vigorous collecting before withdrawal. Pricing was really getting detached from quality IMHO. — 4 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.4

A nice comparison of French St. Julien and French winemaker, in the US with a Napa Cab.
The 1972 vintage was one of the legendary five Cabs selected for the 1976 Paris Tasting.

This 1975, had a deep garnet color with a brick rim. Loads of blackberry on the nose, casis and earthy notes. Fruit forward, black fruit and plum dominate, nice tannins. This wine definitely evolved through the evening.

Previous Notes Apply to the 75 St Julien:
Deep ruby color. Aromas of red fruit, leather and earthy notes. Amazing flavors, blackberry, black currant, tobacco and baking spices.

🏅92 Points - Decanter — 7 months ago

with Quentin

"Odedi"

8.9

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Dark ruby in color with a wide brick rim.

The nose is simpler than I expected right out of the bottle, but beautiful once it opens up.

Medium plus in body and elegant, with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing black plums, cooked cherries, light oak, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, espresso, earth, light forest floor and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This Merlot based blend from Bordeaux is drinking nicely now, and feels young, especially on the nose.

Good right out of the bottle, and better with airtime. I did not decant it and left it in the bottle. I was actually worried that it will die sooner, but it still has a lot in it. Love to see that. Only after 2 hours, the nose opened up and tannins showed up.

This 26 years old is easy drinking and good by itself or with food. I had the 2010 vintage, five years ago, and I liked it better this time.

Robert Parker 94 points.

Paired nicely with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$100. — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

This 10 year old Brunello is drinking very nicely now.

Medium bodied with medium plus acidity.

Very dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing red fruits with oak, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, spices, earth and light vegetables.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy pomegranates.

Powerful yet elegant and smooth.

Good by itself or with food, and needs a couple of hours to open up properly.

Rich with a great mouthfeel.

Will continue to drink nicely in the next five years.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$60. — 4 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

8.9

Bright, clear straw color. Aromas of lemon, passion fruit, orange blossom and currants. Some minor synthetic rubber, bright lemon flavors, apricot and minerals.

🏅93 Points - Wine Enthusiasts — 7 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.3

Medium purple, brick on the edge. Aromas of blackberry, prune, cassis, red currant and leather. Blackberry fruit on the palate, bay leaf and cranberry.

90 Points - Wine & Spirits — a year ago

with Quentin

Severn G

9.3

2016 | Riesling (Kabinett)
Weingut Hermann Dönnhoff; Oberhäuser Leistenberg
Nahe; Oberhausen, Germany
APN 7 753 010 03 17
(93-94; drink 2030-36, 9H decant)

Paired with Taiwanese Five Spice Pork (Lu Rou Fan | 卤肉饭) over Jasmin rice with lightly fried eggs from our private egg factory in the backyard. Locally raised NY pork (Kinderhook Farm, Valatie, NY), Columbia Co. — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim. What a beautiful color.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Showing cherries, raspberries, black plums, currants, oak, light vanilla, spices, cola, chocolates, earth, wet leaves, peppercorn, pencil lead, dark coffee, rust, blood and herbs.

Dry on the palate with a nice mouthfeel. Shows nice complexity at this point.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and pomegranates.

This 13 year old is starting to drink very nicely now, and will continue to age in the next 7 years.

Needs 3 hours to open up properly and show itself. Easy drinking once it opens up. Elegant with good structure.

Robert Parker 94 points.

Paired nicely with the Prosciutto.

A blend of 80% Tempranillo with Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo. Aged in used American oak barrels for five years.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$40. — 3 years ago