Clif Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Croquet Vineyard

Even with a decant and aeration, too young, too tannic, and quite frankly, not sure if even with time it can mature into something beautiful. Way too expensive for something very iffy! There may be another half a glass in the bottle from which I removed the air, we’ll see about day two. I have two more bottles, I’ll wait a few years for one, and will probably give the other away. I no longer am a member of this …

Holy crap Batman! This was like trying a 3 yr old Monte Bello or an '05 Bordeaux at anything less than 15 years old... Just huge and tannic with fruit sort of waving at you from the sideline. I would love to try this again in 5 years. HANDS OFF!

Two hour decant. Deep dark magenta color. Cassis, blackberry, bitter chocolate, pickling spice, and subtle brisket. Very dry, smooth palate, with silty acidity. Firm, medium intensity tannins on the longish finish. I’ve not been impressed with Clif. This particular bottle was oddly savory. Likely to be my last ever bottle from this producer.

Gorgeous nose after healthy decant, palate is smooth but lacking fruit

interesting, jury will still be out for a while on this one, maybe it is still closed down. Decanted for an hour, nose was very pleasant - flowers, menthol, red berries. Palate was cherry, leather and earth, but fruit was closed. Had a big body with solid tannins and a great mouthfeel and long finish which leads me to think there is more here that some additional decanting or cellaring may bring out. Have one more bottle and will hold …

One hour decant. Deep dark intense purplish magenta color. Blackberry, black cherry, pulled pork bark, thyme, and subtle vanilla wafer. Smooth, dry, slightly spicy palate. Firm tannins on the medium long+ finish. This is very Bordeaux-leaning and more savory than I like my CS. Clif is not my style overall. I’ve had several bottles from various vintages.

Good howell mtn offering with bright acidity and powdery tannins. Will do well with more time but enjoyable now.

needs a healthy decant, then velvety dark fruit starts to shine. bit of cola.

About right for this price point. Slight earthiness coming through an otherwise fruit driven wine.