Vermeil, Frediani Jean Louis Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Two hour decant. Nearly opaque purplish magenta color. Blackberry, boysenberry, peanut butter cup, maple, rhubarb, and subtle pepper. Dry, satiny, full bodied palate. Full tannins on the longish finish.

Two hour double decant. Blackberry, dark raspberry, milk chocolate, anise, violet, and subtle pistachio. Dry, velvety palate, with dusty, lingering acidity. Firm tannins on the longish finish. Enjoyed this with terrific food at 112 Eatery in Minneapolis. The name makes it sound cheap, but it is relaxed, fine dining at its best. This bottle is drinking great right now. Not sure it will get much better, but it will hold this high point for 3 - 5 more years.

Three hour decant. Very very deep intense magenta color. Blackberry, boysenberry, blueberry, Spanish basque cake, thyme, and subtle dark chocolate. Dry, satiny palate. Firm, full tannins on the longish finish. This is still holding back ever so slightly. I hope to wait a year before my next bottle. This will absolutely improve and it’s already quite fun to drink.

Opened this for my brother on Wednesday, gave it an hour+ of air, he drank his glass and then opted to open a '19 Quilt instead. He doesn't like heavy oak and this one displayed quite a bit of it that first night. I loved the dark red fruit and the smooth texture to the wine. It is high quality fruit and winemaking. Put the cork back into the 2/3rds full bottle, no gas, no vacuum and took it out …

90 minute decant. Very deep dark electric magenta color. Blackberry, black cherry, cream cheese on graham cracker, and cayenne-infused dark chocolate. Smooth, dry palate, with sandy acidity. Firm, full tannins on the longish finish. Very good, but needs a longer decant if drinking anytime this year.

Three hour decant. Very deep dark vibrant magenta color. Black cherry compote, blackberry, cinnamon, caramely milk chocolate, and subtle no. 2 pencil. Satiny, tongue drying (and coating), full bodied palate. Firm, full tannins on the long finish.

Nearly four hour decant. Deep dark electric magenta color. Blackberry, boysenberry, chocolate malt, pumpernickel, candied orange, frankincense, and subtle patchouli on the nose. Smooth, dry, lush palate, with chalky, lingering acidity. Firm, full tannins on the longish finish. This is already showing some nice complexity. There is some youthful grippyness to the tannins. This will evolve and could improve some in the coming 3+ years.

3 hour decant then consumed of next 3 hours. Quality wine still a bit young. Slightly tannic to start but settled down during the night. Very black fruited and all agreed with black tea as a descriptor early on. As it took on air. the tannins softened and the fruit turned a bit bluer. It was an easy 94 by the end of the night verging on 95. I think with more maturity it will get there. Real nice wine …

Three hour decant. Deep dark electric magenta color. Blackberry, wild strawberry, waffle cone, walnut fudge, peony, pencil lead, tea leaves, and subtle lemon rind on the nose. Smooth, tongue drying palate, with very chalky acidity. Very firm tannins on the longish finish. This is showing some youthful restraint, but it’s already quite nice with a good decant. 4-6 hours of air time is advisable if drinking this year. There is terrific structure and great complexity. The score will definitely be …

Four hour decant. Nearly opaque electric ruby magenta color. Blackberry, boysenberry, amber, honeysuckle, beignets, and blood orange rind on the very expressive nose. Smooth, dry palate, with plush, mouth filling acidity. Firm, full tannins on the longish finish. This is such good drinker every vintage. Totally my style of fruit forward Napa Cab. It’s not extracted or jammy, but sneaks up to the edge.

Nearly four hour decant. Very deep dark electric purple magenta color. Blackberry, raspberry jelly, chocolate chip pound cake, slate, and subtle coffee grounds on the nose. Smooth, plush palate, with chalky, mouth coating (and drying) acidity. Velvety tannins on the longish finish. This has just barely entered it’s drinking window, but it’s already terrific. Score will be two or three points higher in the coming year or two.

Slow ox'ed 8 hours. I kept going back between a 94 and 95. Some chocolate and brown herbs on the nose, tons of deep, dark black cherry fruit and wonderful umami qualities, those really meaty, savory ones. Great depth to the fruit and it's so well put together it should age beautifully with maybe a couple more points in there, too.

Eight hour slow ox. Very deep dark magenta color. Dark chocolate, brown herbs, and black cherry on the rich, slightly savory nose. Velvety, tongue drying palate. Firm, full, satiny tannins on the longish finish. This was my favorite wine of the tasting at Vermeil in Napa (with Mark1NPT). There is a bit of potential built into my, score because this really needs 6-12 more months to enter its tru drinking window (with a 3-4 hour decant).

A solid effort that just needs more time. I believe that the Cab Franc is the culprit here. Lay these down and try them in a year or three and it should be great.

Sat in glass about an hour before drinking. Very deep dark magenta color. Black cherry, red currant, graphite, and subtle chocolate on the youthful nose. Smooth, very dry palate. Firm tannins on the longish finish. This has all the makings of a typical awesome Vermeil CS, but needs another year to truly enter its drinking window. Youth is the only flaw.