Nickel & Nickel
John C. Sullenger Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA
93 that leans into 94 and will see another point or two with 10 years in bottle.
Sofia and I used to go to their futures luncheon for many years. This vineyard consistently yields fruit that makes one of their best Cabernet’s.
It’s lush as it enters and falls onto dry, meaty tannins. Blackberries, creamy black raspberries, black plum with skin, dark cherries & purple fruits. Dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, limestone & volcanic minerals, moist clay, dry tobacco, new, raw leather, still very woody, mixed mid & dark berry cola, plenty of baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark spices with some heat, some dry herbs, dark melted, chocolate, cocoa powder, caramel notes, bright, fresh & candied florals that are dark, red, blue and framed in violets & lavender, ver nice round acidity with a highly structured, tensioned, well balanced and polished finish that lasts 90 seconds but still lands squarely on wood.
93 that leans into 94 and will see another point or two with 10 years in bottle.
Sofia and I used to go to their futures luncheon for many years. This vineyard consistently yields fruit that makes one of their best Cabernet’s.
It’s lush as it enters and falls onto dry, meaty tannins. Blackberries, creamy black raspberries, black plum with skin, dark cherries & purple fruits. Dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, limestone & volcanic minerals, moist clay, dry tobacco, new, raw leather, still very woody, mixed mid & dark berry cola, plenty of baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark spices with some heat, some dry herbs, dark melted, chocolate, cocoa powder, caramel notes, bright, fresh & candied florals that are dark, red, blue and framed in violets & lavender, ver nice round acidity with a highly structured, tensioned, well balanced and polished finish that lasts 90 seconds but still lands squarely on wood.
Super dark ruby red and high intensity, coats the entire glass. Slight heat still on the nose. Only gave this one hour, could use three or more. Some light savory notes with some dark cherries coating everything. Some baking spices and dark dark cocoa too. Beautifully complex palate. Some minerality along side dark cherries and tight dark berries. Great backbone and structure from the acidity. Moderate plus tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Decent dryish in the long finish. Drink 2017 till 2036.
Super dark ruby red and high intensity, coats the entire glass. Slight heat still on the nose. Only gave this one hour, could use three or more. Some light savory notes with some dark cherries coating everything. Some baking spices and dark dark cocoa too. Beautifully complex palate. Some minerality along side dark cherries and tight dark berries. Great backbone and structure from the acidity. Moderate plus tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Decent dryish in the long finish. Drink 2017 till 2036.
3 people found it helpfulSep 30th, 2016
Opened this year. May have waited a bit to long. Seemed past its prime but delicious none the less
Opened this year. May have waited a bit to long. Seemed past its prime but delicious none the less
3 people found it helpfulJul 14th, 2013
From the vineyard surrounding the Nickel and Nickel winery in Oakville, this grows on the valley floor just north of the Oakville Crossroad and east of 29. It's a floral cabernet with scents of roses and hints of green. The cherry flavors fill out a fleshy texture, while tart sanguine tannins provide a touch of bitterness to balance the fruit. this needed several years in the cellar to meld. And meld it has done!!
From the vineyard surrounding the Nickel and Nickel winery in Oakville, this grows on the valley floor just north of the Oakville Crossroad and east of 29. It's a floral cabernet with scents of roses and hints of green. The cherry flavors fill out a fleshy texture, while tart sanguine tannins provide a touch of bitterness to balance the fruit. this needed several years in the cellar to meld. And meld it has done!!
1 person found it helpfulFeb 28th, 2021
From 30-acre Cab-exclusive Oakville Sullenger vineyard, located behind the winery, dark Ruby, a rich and dense complex Cab loaded with berry, currant, herb and cedar aromas. On the palate blackberry, plum and sweet cherry flavors with notes of pepper, smoke and sweet herbs. Approachable silky tannins, long ending with a fine sweet smoky cedar and earthy character. Very nice has room to age for a decade or so. Pair this with a USDA Prime!!
From 30-acre Cab-exclusive Oakville Sullenger vineyard, located behind the winery, dark Ruby, a rich and dense complex Cab loaded with berry, currant, herb and cedar aromas. On the palate blackberry, plum and sweet cherry flavors with notes of pepper, smoke and sweet herbs. Approachable silky tannins, long ending with a fine sweet smoky cedar and earthy character. Very nice has room to age for a decade or so. Pair this with a USDA Prime!!
1 person found it helpfulAug 14th, 2020Big and jammy. Blackberries, boysenberries, blueberries, mid tannic, dry black earth, purple florals. Finishes with a slight dark cherry liqueur. One of the top 3 2015's presented.
Big and jammy. Blackberries, boysenberries, blueberries, mid tannic, dry black earth, purple florals. Finishes with a slight dark cherry liqueur. One of the top 3 2015's presented.
1 person found it helpfulMay 9th, 2016Was awesome with buffalo steak and shrimp for valentines
Was awesome with buffalo steak and shrimp for valentines
1 person found it helpfulFeb 15th, 2016
Better than the day we tasted it at the vineyard! Fantastic bottle of deep and rich Napa Cab.
Better than the day we tasted it at the vineyard! Fantastic bottle of deep and rich Napa Cab.
1 person found it helpfulFeb 3rd, 2016Deep ruby coloration. On the nose, cherry, blueberry, strawberry and florals. On the palate, cherry, cassis and plum, giving way to chocolate, vanilla and a long finish of oak and tea with strong tannins. 2012 vintage.
Deep ruby coloration. On the nose, cherry, blueberry, strawberry and florals. On the palate, cherry, cassis and plum, giving way to chocolate, vanilla and a long finish of oak and tea with strong tannins. 2012 vintage.
1 person found it helpfulJan 16th, 2016