Tom Garland

9.3

From magnum

1 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A gorgeous dark purplish ruby red color. On the nose: Alluring perfumed notes of red fruit, black olives, forest floor, tobacco leaf, nutmeg. Taste: velvety, elegant wine with cherry/red plum, cedar, spice, loamy soil, and a long minerally dark chocolate espresso finish. YUM! — 9 days ago

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. — 25 days ago

Tom Garland

9.2

2nd vintage from the Kronos vineyard

Decant and pour(lots of sediment). A medium tawny red color. On the nose: very expressive port like sweet notes with dried cherry, stewed meat, eucalyptus, cedar, herbs. Taste: silky, still fresh for its age, amazing acid wine with sour cherry, loamy soil, licorice and a peppery espresso medium plus finish. YUM! Sure, on the downside, but holds it own tonight. — 11 days ago

with Brenda

Thomas Epps

9.4

Very good, nice balance, good finish, nice oak and vanilla, had a little trouble with spicy pepperoni on pizza. But, not really a fault of the wine. — 17 days ago

with Jeannie

Conrad Green

9.6

deep and intense with a lot of tang and a lift of menthol. Very fresh still. Excellent — a month ago

with BOT, Matt and 1 other

Inseon Hwang

9.2

Black cherries and blackberries, balanced tannins and structure, minerals, slight graphite. — 12 days ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.4

Medium ruby color. Aromas of candied cherry, black cherries, floral notes and chocolate. Black cherry, wet rocks and savory finish. Insanely good! — 3 days ago

Jody Scharf

9.7

full mouth smacking lemon melon oaky Aubert chard — 19 days ago

Andy Stabile

9.0

Big ol’ Pinot… if by name only

Heavy body….. deep ruby color.
Musty, earthy nose
Powerful Friit - maybe black cherry
A touch earth / bitter lingers. A touch of oak.
Zin / Cab vibes
Nice glass of wine…
(Remedy 21)
With Sue and Riley — 18 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2022 vintage. More overt, fruity love than the previous vintage. 4.22.26. — a month ago