Wallis Family Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District

Nose of black berry, black berry tart, and hot, dusty, forest floor, more of the same on the palate, big body, very tasty, mouth filling fruit, rich fruit, at peak but time to enjoy is now, showing its age tonight, very tasty with Roast Beef, and a long, flavorful finish.

2006 vintage

Nose of black berry, black berry tart, and hot, dusty, forest floor, more of the same on the palate, big body, tasty, mouth filling fruit, rich fruit, at peak but time to enjoy is very soon, showing its age tonight, and a long, flavorful finish.

2006 vintage

Looking for the old Cabernet Sauvignon style, nose of black berry, white pepper, dry, dusty forest floor, and allspice, more of the same on the palate, big body, mouth filling fruit, rich fruit, at peak, time to enjoy is now, elegant, very tasty with Costco Deli Tacos, and a long, flavorful finish.

2006 vintage

Decanted for an hour. Such a beautiful wine. Well balanced. Dark fruit, tannis are still there, acidity is rounded. Extremely sad that it is my last bottle as the wine still has some life left.

2006 vintage

If you like mature California Cabernet Sauvignon, this bottling still has plenty to offer. Very lacquered wood, very savory, woody-earthy mushrooms and briar. Still some good dark fruit, but it admittedly doesn't have that heartbreakingly lovely combination of earthy-savory maturity and richness of sweet dark fruit that the best Cabernet-based wines develop in their teens. Alcohol feels high but not totally out of whack. No rough edges, a really nicely made wine that is still affordable on the secondary market. …

2006 vintage

Perfectly balanced and integrated. Black fruit flavors with a hint of dark chocolate.

2006 vintage

This was really good, especially on day 2 (vacu-sealed).

2006 vintage

At fourteen years of age, this is likely tasting at the apex of its drinking window. Tonight, this was consistent with our earlier tasting experience, dark deep inky purple color - complex and full bodied, the black berry and black cherry fruits were accented by dusty rose petals, tones of dark bittersweet chocolate, spice, and a layer of leather on a smooth tannin finish. https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2020/11/mt-veeder-napa-cab-and-sicilian-blend.html

2006 vintage

Almost ten years since I bought my three bottles (last one drunk today). This is drinking so well, I didn't want to wait any longer to consume the last bottle. But, now that I'm drinking it, I think this wine will drink very well through at least 2025, maybe 2030. There doesn't seem to be any drop off and the tannins and acidity should keep it going for some time to come. Creamy black cherry, green pepper, dill, licorice, baking …

2006 vintage

Second of three bottles (first about two years ago). No signs of age in the color...deep black burgundy. While decanted, I poured some into a glass, so it's almost a PnP at this point. The creaminess that I tasted last time actually comes through on the nose this time. Also, black cherries, cassis, bell pepper, and licorice. I couldn't wait, so I had a sip. Quite delicious now, but after an hour or two, it will be even better (at …

2006 vintage

Opened for 49ers Big NFL Game, nose of black berry, black berry tart, and hot, dusty, forest floor, more of the same on the palate, big body, very tasty, mouth filling fruit, rich fruit, at peak but time to enjoy is now, elegant, very tasty with Roast Beef, and a long, flavorful finish.

2006 vintage

Nose of black berry, white pepper, forest floor, and hints of dusty gravel, more of the same on the palate, big body, mouth filling fruit, rich fruit, at peak, time to enjoy is now, elegant, very tasty with meaty pizza, and a long, flavorful finish.

2006 vintage

Great cab. Lighter in body compared to the full throttle style that is common at this price point.

2006 vintage

Cork fell apart. The wine was still good. Dark red garnet color. Not showing significant signs of age. Aromas of dark fruit, licorice and tobacco. Wine is medium body and mouth-filling, while being delicate enough to avoid the overbearing character that I associate with most California wines. Flavors of black berry, graphite and dark chocolate, little bit of heat from the alcohol. This wine is drinking well now.

2006 vintage

This is in a really good spot now. Best bottle yet.

2006 vintage

Nose of black berry, black cherry, forest floor, and hints of dusty gravel, more of the same on the palate, big body, subdued nose opened gradually, delicious, smooth, mouth filling fruit, at its best so enjoy now, and a long, long finish.

2006 vintage

medium red color with a medium color change from rim to center. Ripe cherry, blackberry & plum on nose. On palate, blackberry, cassis and tobacco. Medium tannins, medium+ acids and long finish - very nice structure. This has aged well but not as good as my last bottle. 91+/-

2006 vintage

Writing this note the next day -- Decanted for a couple hours, but this was already pretty good from the PnP. Creamy red and black berries (yes, jammy, but with a freshness to it), with a little green pepper and some licorice. Very well balanced so that the 14.6% alcohol isn't at all noticeable. In its prime drinking window now, and unlikely to get better. While I normally prefer Bordeaux to California, this wine could be an exception because it …

2006 vintage

Nose of black cherry, forest floor, black currants, and allspice, more of the same on the palate, big body, delicious, smooth, mouth filling, at its peak-time to drink up, and a long, flavorful finish. Picture added.

2006 vintage

I really have not had but maybe a handful of wines that were better than this. In my sweet spot for cabs of 10-15 years this was exceptional and still had plenty of dark fruit on the nose and forward palette. Unlike a lot of '06's we have had, this was smooth, round and well balanced. The wine drank so well it didn't really need food but was an awesome accompaniment to the prime ribeye, portobello mushrooms and grilled squash …

2006 vintage

glad I opened now will not last much longer

2006 vintage

Decanted about 1 hour. Lot's of red fruit with a hint of pepper, earth and spice. Not an over the top Cab but definitely a smooth, nice wine. We liked it but maybe expected more at this price point. Nothing to knock you over. Really long finish that was very nice. Could hold longer but I don't see this changing for the better with more time.

2006 vintage

After selling their fruit to other wineries for several years, Wallis began making their own wine in 2006. So this was the first wine for this label. Two years later they switched winemakers and the esteemed Thomas Rivers Brown has been making wine here since 2008. I really like Brown's wines. Anyway, after reading others notes, I decanted this wine for a full 4 hours before trying it. It was ok but probably better the first day.

2006 vintage

Medium full body. Dried red fruits, pepper, tobacco.

2006 vintage

Served from cellar. Even cold a fragrant nose. Noticeably earthy on palate. More complex than typical fruit forward style. Over course of a couple of hours this wine opened nicely. Medium to long finish. Next day complexity had diminished and much mor fruit forward.

2006 vintage

Consistent flavor profile with my note from ~ 2 years ago except throwing more sediment than I noted then. Like the prior taster noted if you don't decant or let this sit open for a few hours you will be disappointed. Paired great with steaks and more in common with a left bank Bordeaux in a warm vintage (say '09) than a valley floor Napa cab. Paired great with grilled ribeye steaks. Really enjoyed this and this should be in …

2006 vintage

paid 20 in 2011. very nice, a little warm, but well balanced and very smooth.

2006 vintage

a remarkable wine. Must be decanted for 24 hours. On opening, a strong nose of vegetal green pepper. I do not appreciate this aroma. With two hours of decanting the green nose becomes a mint like aroma and the fruit begins to emerge. On the second day, the fruit becomes balanced by the firm structure typical of diamond Mountain. A beautiful appearance Ruby with hints of purple, this wine is maturing. A beautiful nose of BlackBerries, mint, vanilla, leads to …

2006 vintage

Medium garnet with a touch of rust at the rim. Modest nose with strawberry, raspberry and tea on the palate. Previous notes apply. This does not reflect much complexity. It is a nice "quaffing" wine on a weekend evening, although at $55, a bit pricey for that description.

2006 vintage

2nd bottle of the group. Drank the other almost 3 years ago (see note). Interesting wine but confused a bit. Dark mountain fruit with a grippy tannic backbone but now a bit thin on the mid palette. I'd go with more of an elegant structure to start but lacks the big, smack in the face I was looking for toward the end. Hard to compare against a line up of pure cab wines.

2006 vintage

See April notes. This has begun to open a bit and reveal a bit more fruit but this is still unbalanced and a bit disjointed. Does not fulfill the reputation of the winemaker.

2006 vintage

Decanted. Needs 1-2 hours. Dark, tannic and restrained with dark fruit, pepper and good acidity. This still seems young and it's hard to imagine this becoming tired anytime soon.

2006 vintage

Decent Cab, at the end of the advertised drinking window but I think it was good. Oaky, earthy, some fruit left, nice nose.

2006 vintage

Medium garnet in color. Opened nicely with loads of fresh raspberry and cherry. However, as this opened it was a bit disjointed and all over the board. Turned a bit astringent after an hour with oak on the finish but strangely the oak was not well integrated.

2006 vintage

Decanted for 1.5 hours and it needed it - this was great with a grilled flat iron steak. I did not take notes but dark blackish / red color (shows no signs of age), cassis, blackberry, tobacco on nose & palate. Medium+ body with strong tannic backbone - starting to soften but tough to drink out the gate - leading into a very long finish. This has really improved and is just starting to enter its drinking window. Would buy …

2006 vintage

Opened a bottle of 2006 to gauge where the 40 bottles/8 vintages are going, nose of dark fruit, earth, smoke, touch of minerals, pepper, and cedar, more of the same on the palate, nose opened throughout the dinner of oxtail stew and ribeye steak along with baby bok choy and three types of mushrooms, big body, delicious, smooth, mouth filling, and a long finish.

2006 vintage

- Brick color.

2006 vintage

Pleasant easy drinking cab. Well balanced and good depth. Red fruit and leather. Soft tannins. Rich. Nice finish.

2006 vintage

A beautiful wine that's drinking perfectly now, this has a silky, almost Burgundy-like texture married to rich Napa cabernet sauvignon fruit. Perhaps not *quite* as complex as some of the high-end Napa cabs, it wins you over on sheer quality of fruit, balance and texture. Highly recommended.

2006 vintage

Nice, fresh, fruit forward but not terribly complex

2006 vintage

Noticed a little bottle variation in these. Nice, but more acidic than other bottles and a shorter finish....hope they are aging well....

2006 vintage

Showing very well. Quite multidimensional - some chalky minerality, almost salty, and some vegetal notes but altogether quite lovely. Some sumptuous perfume too. I think the extra year or two of bottle age has helped this wine develop.

2006 vintage

A bit light on frankly, green stems and light tannins, warm alcohol on 1st tastes after a 1 hour decant. Will add as we go along further. Light red currants, a little mint (reminiscent of an Aussie Barossa Cabernet), very fruity, not so silky. Mehh was a tad disappointed for the price $49 (Hamptons)... Tried a 2nd bottle which was worse then the first... zero value for money in this below par Cabernet, was really annoyed frankly.. not as good …

2006 vintage

Drank on Father's Day.... With steak... Was VERY good. This is NOT a wine for the faint hearted... it is bold, and FULL of flavor. Pretty high alcohol content too... I thought it was more blackberry, and currant. My wife thought, plum. But, we both agreed... with every sip, you go.. "mmmm". Very, very nice...

2006 vintage

Comes out a little hot... not much nose (expect more with cab franc in the blend). Dark fruit on the palate. medium body. A little dusty tannins on the finish. Not bad... but expected more. Poor QPR.

2006 vintage

A nose of dark fruits and spice, dark garnet in color. A full bodied Cab, with blackberries, black cherry, currants, smoke and vanilla on spiced finish. A delicious wine, in perfect drinking zone now. www.winelx.com

2006 vintage

A mouthful of wood: Oak and cedar dominate. Anything else that this wine has to offer is buried under these laminations.

2006 vintage

Medium garnet color. Pepper and spice on the palate with a hint of dark cherry. Medium finish and light tannins. The merlot came through more than the Cabernet. Drank with strawberries and artisan cheeses prior to a gala dinner with the children at home.

2006 vintage

Excellent bottle. Drank the whole damn thing as I sit here at home watching tv reports describing how 26 lives and families have been destroyed by an evil asshole in my hometown. Unbelievable.

2006 vintage

While I've tasted worse, it's not often that I come across a wine of good pedigree that so underwhelms. One-dimensional, almost flat. While the oak no longer dominates, it is a constant backdrop, not gone, not integrated, just there. Some decent notes of black cherry and currants from tiem to time, but mainly just plain and flat.

2006 vintage

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Wallis Family Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District

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