Garnet-colored. Hits like it might be astringent but immediately smooths out and rolls across your tongue leaving a layer of tannins that diffuses nicely. If you swish it around, it will make you pucker. Very dry but buttery if you keep it centered in your mouth. I bought it because of an average rating of 9.3 for this 2020 vintage but I don’t think I’d rank it that high. Maybe a 9.0, a little disappointing for $50. — 7 days ago
Tasty but a little out of age — a month ago
2000 vintage. Last tasted 9.25.23 (9.2) after 1.5 hours decanted. Popped and decanted this for lunch. Great fill and solid cork. Throwing a bit of sed but less than anticipated. Meh nose. Medium body initially. Started off on the rich side of the ledger but not plush. Had some smoothness afoot. Tasted after 45 mins open, 1.75 hours open and 8 hours open. First two were unspectacular. After lounging in the decanter 8 hours, wine had firmed up, thinned out, picked up plenty of secondary flavors and had that previously missing grip. If you're gonna open this during the holidays or anytime soon, do it very very early...otherwise, it'll be a total waste. Wine has miles to go. No rush to crush but just air it out in advance properly. 10.16.24. — a month ago
#AgedWineTuesday
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim. Not showing much age.
Gorgeous nose, and dry and fruity on the palate with medium acidity.
Showing blackberries, black currants, black cherries, cedar, cola, licorice, light vanilla, light coffee, chocolates, earth, black pepper and tobacco leaf.
Long finish with fine grained tannins.
What a wonderful surprise. This 23 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is drinking fantastically.
Elegant and fruit forward. Rich and extracted. Soft and smooth.
Good right out of the bottle, and so much better after an hour in the decanter.
Wine Enthusiasts 94 points. Robert Parker 97 points. Wine Spectator 98 points.
Showing great complexity at this point, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.
A great sipping wine. Just gorgeous.
A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc.
14.1% alcohol by volume.
97 points.
$230. — 11 days ago
I never would have anticipated drinking my birth year of Cheval Blanc out of a Solo cup yet, here we are. The ‘81 is ruddy still; deep garnet color with some browning towards the rim and loads of sediment. The nose shows some of the telltale green-ness of vintage but everything has found harmony: the fruit has blossomed and structure has integrated. Dark fruited with tobacco, dried purple flowers, mushrooms, herbs and soft eastern spices. Charming! No particular rush to drink these but lovely now. — 2 months ago
Mike Evans
Leather, raspberry, and hints of minerals and dark chocolate, with fine tannin giving it support, some anise comes out with air, great depth and complexity, drinking incredibly well. — 2 days ago