First off. You have heard about decanting.... This is a great example. Open and it tastes flat, give it time to breath and the flavors come out. The nose has a nice oak, smokey texture. Taste has a predominant black cherry flavor with nice ripe fruit flavors. Oak remains throughout the taste from start to finish with american oak flavors. An almost cigar smokiness hits immediately with a slight spice....not sure where to compare this to because it's not like a Zinfandel pepper, but more like an allspice. The overall feel is medium bodied with rich cherry flavors and well balanced for a smooth feel. This is a great introduction to Stags Leap without spending $150. — 11 years ago
Needed about 2.5 hours in decanter to open up. Could use more time in bottle. A classic big, bold, chewy California Cab. — 11 years ago
Big quality fruit bomb - 2006 - drinking softly now, open 2 hours. Would like to see if the fruit resolves over the next few years. — 11 years ago
Took about 45 minutes to open up and become expressive- ripe red currant, mulberry and black raspberry, with a note of dried herbs and portobello mushrooms. — 11 years ago
1947. Can't actually believe I have rated this in my lifetime. Although it had a significant amount of leakage and oxidisation, it was still bright, still had bags of fruit, tannins, acidity. What am incredibly generous wine to open to celebrate our new little company. Thx guys xxx — 12 years ago
Alexander Valley 1984. Brown brick red, still enough tannin for another 5-10 yrs. Beautiful cedary dust and fruit. Needed 1 - 1 1/2 hrs to open up. Harmonious, medium build. — 11 years ago
It took around 2 hours to open up, but it was well worth it. — 11 years ago

Matt Gundlach
Very expressive after about one hour open. Classic Chinon aromas with stuffing on the palate. Very pure, some perfectly ripe bing cherry and pleasant earth notes. (Need roast chicken now!) — 11 years ago