91 / B
Tasted by Mike Supple - 28 May 2008
Bright ruby core with a brick rim. Explosive floral aromas surround dark cherry, fresh ginger bread, charcoal and a hint of green pepper. The wine enters the mouth with a nice soft, rich and round feel. Coffee, mocha, black cherry and sweet tobacco linger for a ling time on the finish. Blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot.
89 / B
Tasted by Mike Supple - 15 Dec 2008
Dark core with a garnet and ruby rim. Very ripe fruit aromas of blueberry and cassis. Fresh and lively, backed by a touch of nutmeg and cream. Juicy in the mouth with tons of blueberry up front. Lots of tannins making it a well structured wine. A hint of tobacco and burnt coffee come in on the back, with a lingering cherry finish.
It’s worth mentioning that this is 100% Merlot (all of the Saddleback wines that are listed as specific varietals are 100%). Wineries can legally blend in up to 25% of something else without mentioning it on the label. I have nothing against blends, I just like to know what I’m drinking!
90 / B
Tasted by Mike Supple - 08 May 2008
Dark maroon core with touches of brick on the rim and fine sediment in the glass. Dark aromas of wet earth, forest, black truffles and smoky leather surround ripe cassis and black cherry fruits. Very good acidity in the mouth. Again the earthy rich tobacco and leather flavors take a front seat surrounding bold red cherry and cassis with a nice dusty flint finish. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
91 / A
Tasted by Mike Supple - 14 Jan 2008
Ruby core with a touch of crimson on the rim. Blueberry aromas with blackberry, raspberry and a touch black cherry with sweet violet floral aromas, black pepper, a hint of leather over wet earth. Smooth and dark with very impressive balance for a 2003 (warm vintages raise ripeness levels, often throwing off the balance of fruit and alcohol). Dark rich fruits are backed by a solid core of baker’s chocolate, leather and sweet tobacco. Medium bodied with a medium length finish. Drink now or in the next 4 years. Outstanding wine with steak and fries!
88 / B
Tasted by Mike Supple - 10 Jan 2008
Medium purple core with a bright ruby-flecked pink rim. Dried currant and prunes fruit aromas are accented by fresh herbs with an underlying note of sweet tea and tobacco, followed by warm brown sugar and raspberries. The flavors follow suit, with tea and prunes up front and rich black currant on the mid-palate. Fairly bold acid keeps the wine from getting too heavy, and the finish has a nice spicy hit of black pepper. 15.6% ABV.
98 / B+
Tasted by Mike Supple - 01 Feb 2007
An intensely dark, opulent black core with a bold garnet rim. Rich, heavy and spicy on the nose. Dark plum and cassis aromas push through, followed by cooler undertones of blueberry, blackberry and sweet red raspberry. Surrounding the intense fruit are pervasive aromas of mushroomy earth, wet stone, sweet tobacco and a hint of green bell pepper, followed by lingering spicy aromas of black pepper, cedar, vanilla and cinnamon. In the mouth this wine is huge. The tannic acid is strong from the front of the mouth all the way through the finish. Well integrated and balanced for such a young wine, the power of the tannic structure just keeps building on the mid-palate. Cassis, blackberry and black plum push through the thick tannins, followed by persistent vanilla and charred oak. This is an intense wine that deserves to be laid down for several years. Intense, yet balanced and distinguished with a promise of amazing future potential.
I give it a B+ on the value score, because after Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate upgraded his score to 100, importers, wholesalers and retailers worldwide raised their prices. This is still a fantastic wine, and those who picked it up before the price hike scored big time on this one.
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