Thalia Varshay

9.3

Great oak as expected from a Napa Valley cab, beautifully balanced with dark and red fruit. Inky, rich and delish! — 10 years ago

Peter Yeung

9.0

Earthy with good fruit and pretty clean, nice backbone to continue sleeping nicely — 11 years ago

Bernard Rethore

Owner, Fion Wines

9.1

Back in 2006, I had the good fortune to invest in a box of the Neal vineyard designated bottlings pre-release. They have been sleeping in my cellar ever since. Last night, Tony the Fish, who is a frequent contributor to these pages, arrived with a bottle of the 2010 Neal cab sav. It was a solid effort and Mrs Fish quite enjoyed it. As we finished the bottle I remembered I had some of the 2003 vineyard designated wines in the back of the cellar and figured it was time to check in on them. We started with the Second Chance from Atlas Peak. Generally I am a mountain fruit guy, and like the volcanic soil that yields low yielding structured wines. There was plenty of stuffing left after 11 years, and a nice contrast to the 2010 cab sav blend. We then moved to Chafen. Another mountain- Howell this time, slightly lower elevation vineyard. This wine was bigger than the Second Chance with mouthfuls of ripe cassis, berry fruit and coffee- almost a cocoa powder character to it. The final wine of the night - and best of show - was the Howell Mountain Estate. Dark rich tannins with intense velvety chocolate cake flavors. This was a fun night going from the 2010 blend to the all 2003 single vineyard designates. Most of us aren't patient enough or buy them as a group so you can taste them altogether at once. Everyone should do this from to time. It reminds me at least of how different climate and soil can be in the same year. It's even better with friends. Thank you Mr Fish for the inspiration. — 12 years ago

with Susan

Zack Miskel

9.4

First round at the sleeping lady couldn't have been better. Good tannin structure, solid dark fruit and cherry flavors. Elegant and not over oaked. — 10 years ago

Dade Thieriot

10

2012 #EmrichSchönleber #Halenberg #Riesling #GG
We are huge fans of this vintage and huge fans of this glorious #wine--but be patient--it's a sleeping giant that needs at least another 3 years bottle age plus decanting! #GermanWineSociety — 11 years ago

with Fritz and Wietske

moshe cohen

9.3

black in appearance. smoky and rich fruit , tobacco and cigar nose. the palate is a dense fruit jam , cigar and forest floor plenty of tannins. giant wine. needs another 5-7 years. — 12 years ago

Neil Cornish

9.1

Giant fruit, black currant and blackberry. Already has great cedar and graphite. So accessible at this young age. Likely will improve with age, but why wait? — 12 years ago

David Kline

9.5

Giant blackberry/black cherry nose with peppercorn and soft smoke, cinnamon coated truffle, rosemary, asphalt-like pa-hoi-hoi. Black olive into blackberry with silky tannins and a ton of depth. Lick the rocks until you expose the silky blackberry magic. Washington leads the way again! Terroir and fruit in perfect interplay. Not for lizard people! — 11 years ago

with Courtney

Dalen Bakstad

9.8

1st release from Gorman winery Sleeping Giant 2012 100% Syrah Boushay vineyard — 11 years ago

David Kline

8.9

Great blend! This thing becomes powerful after an initial floral bouquet and a peppery grape mid palate that boasts black cherry and spice. Real body, and power here. Deceptively subtle; always the earmark of a sleeping giant! This one is black and hulking, not jolly and green, but unlike the Hulk, it doesn't smash, but slays with its passive-aggressive
tannins, congeniality, and humility! Real Duoro winner!! — 12 years ago

with Courtney