Tusk Estates
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
What can you say about a wine like this? I don't think there's any arguing that if nothing else it constitutes an incredible feat of engineering and basic human ingenuity. Dry extract is absolutely off the charts; fruit is borderline jammy but somehow still vibrant and succulent; and the structure is at once dense enough to cause a mild histamine reaction (not a frequent occurence for me) yet utterly silken in texture. It's incredible. Truly incredible. But frankly, nothing about this wine tastes like it came from this earth. Every sensory element of its overall gestalt is so exaggerated in scale as to seem utterly unnatural. It's cyborg wine. It performs all the tasks we expect of wine better than any natural wine ever could and yet there's no beauty to it. I'm scoring this highly because as a winemaker and vineyard manager I can only begin to conceive of the astronomical sums and herculean effort involved in producing such a monument to oenological wizardry. But when it comes to wine, all the money in the world can't buy a soul.
What can you say about a wine like this? I don't think there's any arguing that if nothing else it constitutes an incredible feat of engineering and basic human ingenuity. Dry extract is absolutely off the charts; fruit is borderline jammy but somehow still vibrant and succulent; and the structure is at once dense enough to cause a mild histamine reaction (not a frequent occurence for me) yet utterly silken in texture. It's incredible. Truly incredible. But frankly, nothing about this wine tastes like it came from this earth. Every sensory element of its overall gestalt is so exaggerated in scale as to seem utterly unnatural. It's cyborg wine. It performs all the tasks we expect of wine better than any natural wine ever could and yet there's no beauty to it. I'm scoring this highly because as a winemaker and vineyard manager I can only begin to conceive of the astronomical sums and herculean effort involved in producing such a monument to oenological wizardry. But when it comes to wine, all the money in the world can't buy a soul.
1 person found it helpfulFeb 3rd, 2019
Dear WNH,
What an amazing weekend! Thank you Martin and Christine. A selfless act of kindness and generosity putting this together we cannot thank you enough. What a way to introduce wines, and more so, wine connoisseurs to each other. Upon leaving, Jamie and I were sad not knowing when we will see our new friends again. We wish everyone traveling safe travels and let's keep in touch. Cheers!!! 🍷 Panther
Dear WNH,
What an amazing weekend! Thank you Martin and Christine. A selfless act of kindness and generosity putting this together we cannot thank you enough. What a way to introduce wines, and more so, wine connoisseurs to each other. Upon leaving, Jamie and I were sad not knowing when we will see our new friends again. We wish everyone traveling safe travels and let's keep in touch. Cheers!!! 🍷 Panther
12' Pricey... It works👍 Complexity of this one! It's going to be exceptional in 5-7 years.
12' Pricey... It works👍 Complexity of this one! It's going to be exceptional in 5-7 years.
Apr 29th, 2017
John seller
Cody Campbell
Paul Foster
John seller
Cody Campbell
Paul Foster
Great to bring in New Year with best friends !!
Great to bring in New Year with best friends !!
Jan 1st, 2017
Liked the taste so much! It would be a lot more drinkable with a few more years of cellaring. But it was still good!
Liked the taste so much! It would be a lot more drinkable with a few more years of cellaring. But it was still good!
Aug 29th, 2016
A few hours in the decanter was not nearly enough. This seems too young and feels like it needs several more years. Next bottle, I will try a morning decant for an evening meal. Are my expectations too high?
A few hours in the decanter was not nearly enough. This seems too young and feels like it needs several more years. Next bottle, I will try a morning decant for an evening meal. Are my expectations too high?
May 8th, 2016