Tom Casagrande

9.2

This really leans into the darker aspect of Cab. Dark cassis, loads of dark crushed stone, baker’s chocolate, dark iodiney savory notes. Intense in the mouth, but with surprisingly nice acids for its 14.9 frame. Rich, but bone dry. Still tannic, but it’s soft. — 17 days ago

with Rebecca

Jay Kline

9.4

Opened and decanted hours prior to dinner; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 1989 appears a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of tart, ripe, and dried fruits: cassis, blackberries, black cherry, black plum, tobacco, Poblano pepper, mixed dried flowers, some cocoa, pencil shavings, dried green herbs, a touch of leather, some organic and gravelly earth and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Fabulous stuff with plenty of fuel left in the tank. Drink now through 2039. — 10 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

As a wine professional, there are few greater pleasures than a bottle that surprises. All too often, our prejudices influence the experience which is why it’s so important to taste wines in double-blind fashion, and often. This bottle of 2005 Terlato Family Vineyards, “Cardinal’s Peak” blew me away. I don’t know anything about the wine making or fruit source but what was in the glass was simply beautiful.

Poured into a decanter about 90 minutes prior to service and then enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2005 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some light signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of mostly ripe, but also some dried black and red fruits: blackberries, black cherry, black plum, raspberry, pipe tobacco, the purple Now and Laters®️, oiled leather, purple flowers, dark chocolate, coffee, dried forest floor, and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and overwhelmingly satisfying. A somewhat, no scratch that, remarkable wine. End stop. Drinking so well right now and absolutely in its prime. Don’t think twice to drink now to enjoy at its very best, but this will continue to drink well through 2030 if you must. 13.8% ABV. — 10 months ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

A favorite for decades, I just love this wine. Perfumey and fragrant, with deep floral notes, turned earth, sappy dark berries, incense, spice. On the palate it’s less unctuous than the nose suggests, and more linear. A tad reserved initially, but then the deep concentration and length kick in. Very savory flavors. A vibrancy echoes on the finish. One of the best renditions I can remember. — 21 days ago

Jake Hajer

9.4

Aged wonderfully. Fruit holding. Could easily drink glasses of this. — 2 months ago

ash

8.9

Floral, aromatic — 6 months ago

John Malcolm

9.2

Lovely wine. Paired with venison. Decanted for a couple of hours. Full-bodied. Dark cherries, blackberries, a hint of dark chocolate, and Smokey. Very satisfying. — a month ago

Abbas Zand

9.2

Dark ruby color, aromas of dark cherry and blueberries. Full body, high alcohol 14.8%.
Flavors of dark cherries and plums/blueberries. Notes of cedar and dark chocolate. Well integrated tannins. Ready to drink. Medium+ intensity, medium+ finish. Well done.
$30 sale ( regular price $65) — a month ago

GaryWEdwards

9.5

Big lush, dark fruit that has not reached its peak window yet. But she ain’t far away. I was able to obtain a vertical of 01,02,03,& 04. My first foray into that vertical. No rush on this one but very impressed. Leather, pepper, if not cigar leaf here . Suffice it to say, there is a lot going on here and my lack of Cali knowledge has new intrigue — 4 months ago

JFP

9.0

Opened nicely. Went well with pate, humus, cheese and pita. — 9 months ago