BV Tapestry Reserve ’07

04 Wednesday Apr 2012

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My second go at this wine and the initial impression is-wait. Too young, and a bit awkward. With a high 93 point rating from the big boys, I have yet to see it evolve beyond a highly alcoholic beast. Lurking are some brooding tannins, which hold this wine high as the more it matures, the better it’s gonna get. A Meritage ( blend of Cab Sav, Merlot, Cab Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot), it mimics Bordeaux wine in composition using very ripe California fruit, hence the whopping 14.9% alcohol that hits the nose, the palate and the rest. I think with time, the tannins will subdue this wine and meld all the pieces together. Right now, lots of blueberry is coming on the initial and mid-palate. It will be interesting to see where the secondary flavors steer this wine. I am thinking it has a 5 star potential, but at this point- sit still. Cellar it until 2015 at the earliest and then see. Not too shabby and holding out for better years.

Burgess ’96

17 Friday Feb 2012

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

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cabernet sauvignon, Napa, napa cabernet

I once bought 6 bottles of this Napa Cabernet and was so blown away, I couldn’t wait to get more. Alas, they were all out. So, I moved on with my life and ended up buying several different vintages, pining for just one more bottle of this nectar. Well, as luck would have it, I came across a deal and snapped up two cases. Being the generous kinda guy I am, one went to my neighbor, one to a friend, and we opened a few this past week. Showing a slight ‘bricking’ in the glass tells me this wine is nearing it’s “sell-by” date. The nose is amazing; tobacco, dark fruit and cassis. Tasted blind, you would swear it was a Bordeaux. With over 16 years on it, she’s still holding on, barely. The secondary flavors are in full force, the tannins, receding. The balance I remembered from previous bottles was slightly amiss. Not sure what was happening there. Instant gratification is all I can say when I open one of these. A remarkable wine that I will say was one of the first Napa Cabs that really did it for me. Must run, the other bottles are waiting for a decant- which I did not do for the first bottle. Almost forgot- 5 Stars! Perhaps a 93 pointer if you are into that kinda thing.

The need to decant

Ilona ’05

14 Wednesday Sep 2011

Posted by caspernick in Wine reviews

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Napa

I’ve had several bottles of this fine Cali Cab. Today, however- pure delight. The fruit is way up there, the tannins are super smooth and the mid and end- palate are full. From the sniff, first attack and initial impression: this is a good wine. Five minutes after a taste, I find myself salivating again and retasting the wine- how bizarre yet cool. Did I mention the tannins? Probably some of the finest on the market- just singing along with the choir. Each technical component is balanced here folks. I’m giving it 5 stars, a potential 94 point score and a must try in the Cali Cab arena.