Anand Rajan

9.3

Cassis, hint of minerality, star anise, lighter tannin than expected, balanced, savory, dark chocolate, pomegranate — 10 days ago

Ken Z

9.6

Drank 6/18/22.

Nose of cherry, blueberry, smoke, earth, and hint of cedar. On the palate, morello cherry, leather, tar, with long, dry finish. Give it another 5-10 years to shine.

4/23/9/5/5 +50 = 96 pts , but needs time

Special wine geek note. This was tasted along with the 2009 pontet, and the 2000 Dominus. This was the best of the lot. Sorry, no pics — 9 months ago

Bill Bender

9.4

WNH Zoom tasting #3 on 4/5/20. The theme was “10 years old or more” and I opened this after what I’d call a false start with a ‘96 Dominus Napanook. The cork was a bit soggy and difficult to extract and a sour nose greeted me as I decanted to remove a fair amount of sediment. But once the air hit it this wine spread its wings. It comes off as a hypothetical Volnay/Rioja blend as if there were such a thing. Mature warm red fruit, strong notes of rhubarb, cranberry preserves and sour raspberry mash. Very slight green notes but not in a negative sense. There’s still youthful exuberance here. This isn’t one of those “it’s drinking great for its age” wines it’s straight up exceptional. Great house. Great wine. Hell yes. Happy Bicentennial 🇺🇸🍷 — 3 years ago

Paul T- Huntington Beach

9.1

Not what I was hoping for,
Gave it some air but not too much so that we didn’t lose the sweet spot. Didn’t touch the Shafer until this was finished. Just a typical older Bordeaux blend from Napa but very ordinary considering the price point. Secondary market purchase so who knows prior storage. — a month ago

Doctor No

9.5

Incredible. Had low expectations and this was as good as Dominus easily — 2 years ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Friday...time for a break from the war on the coronavirus...and time for a WINE WAR! Both bottles have practiced years of social distancing in the cellar...there is no vaccine to stop this wine war either

2008 Hundred Acre...a true Napa modern style of rich tannins, liberally oaked, and picked late and ripe at 15.5% alcohol.

2008 Dominus..more old world style with firmer tannins, prominent acidity, more earthy and herbaceous...not as approachable young..at 14.1% alcohol.

Let the decanting begin...check back later tonight for the winner!

We have a winner! 9.4 for the Hundred Acre and a 9.3 for the Dominus....though if compared again in a few years, I believe the Dominus will be on top.....it just needs a few more years to fully come together.

Hundred Acre..dark ruby red color. Nose: sweet cherries, spice box, graphite, plum all jump from the glass. Taste: ripe cherries, espresso, cinnamon, plum..with a nice long finish and no reason it could not go for 10 more years.

Dominus..deep dark garnet color. The nose is a bit muted but the palate is singing. Nose: cherry, charcoal, floral, creme brulee. Taste: A creamy smooth mouthfeel of black fruit, chocolate, licorice with nice round tannins. Not over the top, drinking well, but a wine I believe will be even better in a few years. — 3 years ago

with Brenda

Mike Saviage

9.6

Dark ruby center with lighter tawny rims. Not quite opaque. Nose is quiet at first and doesn't bloom until 3+ hours in a decanter. Notes of dark fruit, tobacco, leather saddle, barnyard ground, some stones and minerals, brush-like spice and some mocha. Seductive in the mouth. Great balance between very present fruit with good structure and softened tannins. Haven't had this in awhile, and this wine still is hitting it out of the park. At peak but it'll be around for the long haul. Started out second to the 94 Dominus and then took the race by a nose in the stretch. — 8 months ago

Tobin Trevarthen

10

One of the best wines I have ever enjoyed. Just wow. It surpassed my 1994 Dominus benchmark. — 2 years ago

Matt Sterr

9.0

By Dominus. All Napa Valley fruit. — 3 years ago

B

10

1994 Screaming Eagle. Dinner w J&L B and D&M H while staying with D&M in Santa Ynez. Opened and waited about an hour. Decanted right before serving. Tons of jammy dark fruit. Opened more in the glass. JB mentioned full palate and balance. Great finish. Preferred this to ‘91 Dominus once this opened up. — 3 years ago