Moone-Tsai Vineyards
Cor Leonis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Dark red-ruby. Cool, slightly medicinal scents of blackberry, blueberry coulis, black cherry, bitter chocolate and menthol, plus a faint suggestion of cooked fruits. Fine-grained and dense but light on its feet on entry, with firm acidity and a touch of herbs enlivening the wine's dominant dark berry flavors. This firmly structured, slightly medicinal midweight could still use a couple more years to soften and put on more flesh; I found it a bit more gripping and youthful than the bottle of 2009 I tasted a year ago. Turned a tad dry and herbal with air. (Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, May 2020)
Dark red-ruby. Cool, slightly medicinal scents of blackberry, blueberry coulis, black cherry, bitter chocolate and menthol, plus a faint suggestion of cooked fruits. Fine-grained and dense but light on its feet on entry, with firm acidity and a touch of herbs enlivening the wine's dominant dark berry flavors. This firmly structured, slightly medicinal midweight could still use a couple more years to soften and put on more flesh; I found it a bit more gripping and youthful than the bottle of 2009 I tasted a year ago. Turned a tad dry and herbal with air. (Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, May 2020)
Finally getting around to posting wines from my annual Napa trip from two weeks ago. Always goes by quick! Lots of fun new stops this year.
It was my first time trying Moone-Tsai wines aside from their widely distributed Napa Valley Cab, so some of these were totally brand new to me. Melka is the winemaker.
Much more rich and dark fruited compared to the Howell Mountain. This is a blend of vineyards from Pritchard Hill, Caldwell (Coombsville) and St Helena. Very Pritchard Hill like on the nose with herbal crunch, savory graphite and cassis, oozing blackberries and cherry liqueur. Once on the palate, it channels its Coombsville fruit displaying a touch of licorice, candied blue and black fruits, baking spices and espresso. Big, but slightly more approachable than the Howell.
Finally getting around to posting wines from my annual Napa trip from two weeks ago. Always goes by quick! Lots of fun new stops this year.
It was my first time trying Moone-Tsai wines aside from their widely distributed Napa Valley Cab, so some of these were totally brand new to me. Melka is the winemaker.
Much more rich and dark fruited compared to the Howell Mountain. This is a blend of vineyards from Pritchard Hill, Caldwell (Coombsville) and St Helena. Very Pritchard Hill like on the nose with herbal crunch, savory graphite and cassis, oozing blackberries and cherry liqueur. Once on the palate, it channels its Coombsville fruit displaying a touch of licorice, candied blue and black fruits, baking spices and espresso. Big, but slightly more approachable than the Howell.
Beautiful fruit. Soft tannins. 2006. First vintage.
Beautiful fruit. Soft tannins. 2006. First vintage.
2 people found it helpfulSep 6th, 2015
She's an elegant beauty. My Declectable pal Paul T would have a very hard time not drinking this wine ASAP and I wouldn't blame him on this one. However, this wine will do the happy dance on your palate in 10-15. This wine is so soft already. Ruby creamy fruits. Ripe blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, beautiful 1/2 sweet minerals & rich dark earth, swede leather, slightly sweet expresso, black tea, creamy liquid violets and a finish that is just the way you want it and won't forget.
She's an elegant beauty. My Declectable pal Paul T would have a very hard time not drinking this wine ASAP and I wouldn't blame him on this one. However, this wine will do the happy dance on your palate in 10-15. This wine is so soft already. Ruby creamy fruits. Ripe blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, beautiful 1/2 sweet minerals & rich dark earth, swede leather, slightly sweet expresso, black tea, creamy liquid violets and a finish that is just the way you want it and won't forget.
1 person found it helpfulSep 18th, 2016First year with To Kalon vineyard. Blue and black fruit. Has tons of life left.
First year with To Kalon vineyard. Blue and black fruit. Has tons of life left.
1 person found it helpfulSep 6th, 20152008. Wow. Good fruit. Great finish.
2008. Wow. Good fruit. Great finish.
1 person found it helpfulSep 6th, 2015
10' Moone Tsai Cor Leonis Cabernet. The wine is sourced from Pritchard Hill, To- Kalon , Caldwell block 15.
What an inviting nose. Chewy, inky, black & red fruits, red licorice, black tea, dark chocolate. Soft & sweet tannins. Well balanced... it's drinking quite nicely now. I've got to get some 12 & 13s ! Loved it! Edit - Drink this 2010 while it's still young.
10' Moone Tsai Cor Leonis Cabernet. The wine is sourced from Pritchard Hill, To- Kalon , Caldwell block 15.
What an inviting nose. Chewy, inky, black & red fruits, red licorice, black tea, dark chocolate. Soft & sweet tannins. Well balanced... it's drinking quite nicely now. I've got to get some 12 & 13s ! Loved it! Edit - Drink this 2010 while it's still young.
2011 vintage.
2011 vintage.
Dec 22nd, 2014
👃🏻 of delicate cherry cinnamon and a hint of allspice. Juicy and smooth with a hugely long finish. This will last a decade at least - but enjoying the freshness and fruitiness on the palate. @moonetsai @larrytsai well done
👃🏻 of delicate cherry cinnamon and a hint of allspice. Juicy and smooth with a hugely long finish. This will last a decade at least - but enjoying the freshness and fruitiness on the palate. @moonetsai @larrytsai well done
Mar 18th, 2023