TN: 2003 Neal Family Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley

2003 Neal Family Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/30/2007)My second of this. It showed slightly better. The color was dark, the nose was Cabernet. Good currant/cassis, blackberries, and anise on the palate. This one was balanced much better, but there was a metallic tone on the midpalate and a finish that should have lasted longer. I guess for what it is...it is. Nothing more. I doubt time will come to the rescue of this flaw.

I wouldn't throw this one out of bed, but wouldn't wine and dine it either. (89 pts.)

2003 Neal Family Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (4/27/2007)Vigorous decanted for 30 minutes. Good purple fringed color. Wonderful 'true' cabernet on the nose. This is a four square wine; it's varietally correct and sound, nothing more. It has some black-cherry, currant, and a slight cassis note. A little off balance as its a little high on acid. It is a good effort for an '03, but not memorable (another '03 that falls into this category). Picked up from a fellow BBer for $30 each.(88 pts.)

TN: 2002 Pride Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

2002 Pride Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/17/2007)Beautiful color. This needed the hour decant time I gave it as out of the gate there was an unbalanced disjointed quality that I did not care for. 1 hour later; The nose is pretty cassis as well as petroleum-refinery (a la Ch. Latour). Maybe a bit candied as well. The palate reveals a nicely balanced lush & quiet fruit bomb. There is both red and dark fruits (currant, blackberry, blackcherries, and plum) as well as tar, licorice, coffee-bean, and the Foley toasted oak.....but restrained. The acid level is a bit high and there is a certain sweetness evident that does not detract. There is also some sediment. The tannins seem to be resolving nicely. A nice 30 second aftertaste finished up a very nice deftly made wine. Drink now (decant) or hold for 5 years. I wish this had blown me away, they used to. (90 pts.)

TN: 2005 Rebel Wine Cabernet Sauvignon The Show

2005 Rebel Wine Cabernet Sauvignon The Show - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena (6/11/2007)This may be the 'Three Thieves' but it ain't three thieves in the bottle...and that's a good thing. The color is deep dark crimson with purple tinges. The nose is subdued muted red fruits. The palate reveals some soft tannins, quiet red cherry, some camphor and cassis after about 30 minutes. A nice agreeable finish. Overall a little one dimensional, but nothing negative that keeps it from becoming an everyday drinker. Great QPR. (85 pts.)

2nd Day; This wine hs opened up to be a lush, mildly more interesting decent drinker, with better defined reds fruit, and overall just better all around. . Enough to gain a point or 2. A definate QPR alert here folks, just open 1 day early. Drinks like some $40 jobbies from recent memory. (87 pts.)

Sometimes I forget why I love wine. I find myself always being critical of its finer nuances and loosing sight of the real reason I want it in my life. Yeah, I know it brings people together blah blah blah, but sometimes you need a reminder that this 'thing of ours' is fun. This bottle is a reminder, This is a fun wine. I mean....look at the labels!!! (3)


Cheers!

TN: 1999 L'Ecole No. 41 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley

USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (6/8/2007)These bottles of Washington State wine amuse me, but don't motivate me to go out and buy a supply. Maybe I treat them like experiments? I have had many many Cabs from this state and can honestly say, other than a stray here and there, they just don't spin my wheels. This one is no different. Maybe I am seeking Napa style from elsewhere?

Tasted immediately and decanted. The color is a dark cherry cola. The nose reveals some soda pop and some very subdued red fruits. The palate shows the sweetness and slight vegetalness I have come to expect from the appellation. There is some dark cherrie and blackberry. Where's the currant/cassis? Where's the lush/plush? Tannins resoved but that not alone is gonna pull this one out of the hole. Some chocolate and tar toward the finish which is just ok.. Ho Hum sums it up. Now back to the Valley to the south. (85 pts.)

TN: 2002 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District

2002 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District - USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District (6/5/2007)Pure Stags Leap. The color shows dark rich velvety crimson. The nose shows smokey cassis and dark fruits. The palate blossoms with bramble, extra dark blackberry, an aristocratic cassis, currant, French vanilla, tar and cocoa. The acid level is pure Mondavi, and the tannins are ironed out and all in a row....smooth. Fantastic mouthfeel....This is one cool customer. Some sweetness is present but not in a negative way. A smokiness that adds interest and a purity make this wine sing. The finish is long and precise. No green as mentioned elsewhere. A great effort indeed. (92 pts.)

TN: 1999 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

1999 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (6/3/2007)Wonderful deep crimson color with purple tinged edges. The nose was restrained with some dark cherries and currant, while showing a little ripeness. Upon entering the mouth this wine was beautifully integrated with some secondary notes of tar and cedar. All the dark fruits were present. A great seamless tannin level had delivered this nicely to age 8. A smooth even finish completed the package. This had shown very nicely considering the reputation Dunn Howell has received for being a 20 year wine. Would have scored higher if just a tad plusher, but hey..it's mountain fruit.

Enjoy one if you have any. (91 pts.)

TN: 2005 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley

2005 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (6/4/2007)The color on this wine is crazy. Super dark and concentrated. The nose showed a little sweetness alongside some boysenberries, and a black and white cookie. This was a little restrained for what was expected. It was big and extrated, but kept graceful. The palate revealed some blueberry,blackberry, boysenberries, and red cherries. A fruit medley. This wine kept changing as the night went on. I like this type of wine, I just find my palate tires quicky if it is the only wine on the table. Alongside others wines this turns a conversation piece. There is alot happening that seems to evolve minute by minute to alot more. The finish was long and vibrant. I enjoyed this better than the 2004 Amon-Ra tasted last summer. (89 pts.)

TN: 2004 Herb Lamb Cabernet Sauvignon EII Napa Valley Red Wine

2004 Herb Lamb Cabernet Sauvignon EII Napa Valley Red Wine - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/4/2007)An interesting wine. A bit one dimensional and subdued. Great red-brick color. The nose did not reveal too much other than some sweet blueberry and cassis. The palate was a lillte flat. It showed some cherries & raspberry. There was a touch of oak. Medium tannis don't add ot detract. This wine reminded me of a Shiraz at moments, both in the nose and on the palate. A little extrated and sweet at moments. The finish was decent. I can see new world aficionados embracing this. I may credit the one dimesional thing as well as the flatness to being young. It should evolve into something. (87 pts.)

TN: 2002 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

2002 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/4/2007)This wine was a monolithic beast. It showed a wall of oak that never really dissapated. Hard to get a read for a few reasons. (Fifth of the night w/3+ drinkers). Needs a ton of time. Thank you Nano for the generous 3rd bottle.

TN: 1996 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

1996 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/4/2007)From memory. This was number 4 in the night so I was getting a bit foggy. A little browning on the edges, this wine had some classic cassis, and blackberry notes. It did evolve in the glass showing some cocoa, and tar. It was showing some age; It was the 70 year old women that seems to be able to pull off looking 50 thing. It had elegance, and all the tannins have been resolved. The fruit was tettering on the edge. I found it enjoyable alongside my strip steak. Noit a B. Sherwin wine. Drink up! (88 pts.)

TN: 2003 Pride Mountain Syrah (USA, California, Sonoma County)

2003 Pride Mountain Syrah - USA, California, Sonoma County (5/27/2007)Super opaque in color. On the nose there was a enticing sweet boysenberry, blueberries and pure vanilla extract-american oak quality I really liked. The palate exposed super deep plush & dark fruits as previously mentioned in a sea of smooth tannins. There was a flowery quality present as well as some pepper notes. The finish was long and sweet.

A velvet fist wrapped in an iron glove. (waiting to put this expression in words for years).

I gotta say, I have had this a few times and this showed the best yet. I am glad I held onto my bottles. Perfect served during family BBQ. It was a hit amongst the the non-winos as well. There was something for everyone. (91 pts.)

TN: 1995 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

USA, California, North Coast, Napa County (5/27/2007)

Thats the thing with older bottles......They take on a life of thier own even from the same case. This one was medium garnet and browning on the edges. The nose showed a little cork, on the palate the immediate thing is the cork, but its not corked. It has some dusty fruit of dried cherries and cassis. There is some cedar box as well as some vanilla bean. it seemd a bit tired but was still enjoyable in its own right. Just a little out of whack. (87 pts.)

TN: 2001 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (5/27/2007)On track once again.

Intense vibrant hue od brick with dark purple edges. Great true cassis and currant nose.On the tonque there was the Mondavi signature of balance and finesse. Great understated cassis, currant, and dark cherry cola. There is a clean smooth tannin/acid base that makes this good with food as well as on its own. A 30 second aftertaste completed the package.

I have had this about a dozen times. I think this has emerged from its sleep and is willing to serve faithfully again. (91 pts.)

TN: 2003 Copain Syrah Broken Leg Vineyard

2003 Copain Syrah Broken Leg Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (5/21/2007)

I expected much more from this. A waste of two years in the cellar.Deep dark color. Pomegranate and white pepper on the nose. The palate shows the same dried pomegranate and thats about it. Some burnt tar and nada. The finish is short and exciting only in its ability to end quick and get it over with. I always said the L'Hiver is THE best bottle Copain makes. I stand by this statement.

DTD(down the drain)80/100 (80 pts.)

TN: 1995 Chateau Souverain Cabernet Sauvignon

1995 Chateau Souverain Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (5/16/2007)Totally different than my last bottle (2 weeks ago). Dark with some browning on the edges. Beautiful (almost hauntingly) sweet cassis on the nose. The palate shows a nice old world styled cabenet profile; dark currant, underbrush, cassis and exotic spices. The finish was a touch short and the acid level seemed a bit out of whack, but all in all an enjoyable wine, even if most of the enjoyment was on the nose. (87 pts.)

TN: 2003 Jones Family The Sisters (USA, California, Napa Valley)

2003 Jones Family The Sisters - USA, California, Napa Valley (5/11/2007)Super dark crimson with vibrant purple tinged edges. The nose shows cassis as well as dark plums and black cherries. The palate has a super lush mouthfeel and balance that made me look again at the bottle to be sure it read 2003. It did. Refined elegance wrapped in a velvet layer of smooth rich tannins. Beautiful cassis filled with cedar, currant, plum and a touch of licorice. This is one classy wine. Quite possibly THE best 2003 I have had to date other than Staglin. An ultra long finish that’s ends as its starts....superb. Drinking well now into 2010. Amazing....simply amazing. Anyone lucky enough to have some is in for a treat.95/100 (95 pts.)

TN: 1994 Michel-Schlumberger Cabernet Sauvignon

1994 Michel-Schlumberger Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (5/7/2007)A correct but otherwise lackluster bottle. Very good deep garnet with purple tinged edges. A muted nose od cassis and medium dark currant. The palate reveals som, repeat some subdued fruits of dark black cherries, currants, slight cassis, and a hint of cedar box. Nice tannins level and acid. Nothing really negative but more fruits would have been appreciated, but at 13 years old, you get what you get. A decent bottle of Napa Cabernet, just not exciting enough to warrant higher praise. (87 pts.)

TN: 1995 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

1995 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, North Coast, Napa County (5/1/2007)Deep brick color. A bit medicinal on the nose. Initially some interesting casis & band-aid on the palate. After 1+ hour; Good structure. Still alive. Some dark fruits, (currant, dark cherry) and moderate tannins still carry this. A decent Mondaviish acid level. Maybe a bit short but otherwise a very enjoyable 12 year old everyday bottling. This was probably $10 when new. A nice surprise. Picked up from a fellow BBer for a song. Glad I got 1 more.(89 pts.)

TN: 2001 Provenance Merlot Carneros

I had a nice find today. Half bottles of Provenances' Merlot Carneros, 2001. Nice balance of red fruit, cherries, and strawberries. Not heavy at all. Does not explode sideways like the Beckstoffer Las Amigas Merlot, but really has some nice integrated tannins and a beautiful long aftertaste. I always liked Tom Rinaldis efforts, first with Duckhorn, and now with Provenance & Hewitt. His Merlots are 100% varietal.

I once had the good fortune of meeting him at a private tasting. He spoke of the fact that his Merlots are not bottles to save for your sons 25th birthday. The host interjected "unless he's 24 now!". This will go a bit more, maybe until the kids 31 or 32.

For $10.99 (375ml) I will go back for as much as I can carry. (unfortunately, I called the store and even though I can carry alot, sadly it will be three).I am usually not a Merlot type of guy, but this is a no brainer... perfect form me, since mine has been known to be missing from time to time.

TN: 2001 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville - Back from its 'dumb' phase

With all the discussion about dumb phase wine today, I picked this dummy out of my cellar. I figure tonight is as good as a night as any. It's no longer asleep, but dying a quick death.

2001 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (4/2/2007)My first bottle since 3/28/06. When I last left this wine, it was asleep. It has awoken.... I think.Decanted 45 minutes. Lots of sediment evident. The color has the purple tinge on the edges. It seems like a younger wine by looks alone. The nose shows 'correct' qualities of cassis, red currant, and camphor. The palate show a flinty lushness of red fruits, cassis, and tar. There is now a hollow feel to this thats disturbing. It has no mid-palate. Finish is decent.I'm a bit dissapointed in this apparent 5 year wine. When I originally had it back in February 2005 it was a different animal altoghether. I have watched its demise.I have 6 more that will do hamburger deck duty this summer. 86/100 (86 pts.)