White Rock, Laureate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Plenty of life left and still holding very nicely at two decades, the cork, label and fill level were perfect. This was dark garnet colored, medium full bodied, rich powerful concentrated ripe blackberry and black currant fruits accented by notes of coffee, vanilla bean, mocha and hints of licorice with supple tannings on a lingering finish. https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2021/06/family-reunion-dinner-features-beef.html

The calamity in the Wine Country and for White Rock made me go and find a bottle, and pump out a glass. Aerated 1.5 hours - and heavens opened up. Not enough graphite to be a Margeaux - but close. Cigar-box and cedar nose, velvet black cassis with plenty of tannins and acidity to keep a firm, yet fruity structure. Superb wine with many ears to go, if I can restrain myself. RSt

Great bottle and opened up nicely.

As before, but rounding out a little. Still has more tar, black plums and pepper than blackcurrant, but good nevertheless. Can drink now or keep for another 5 years.

Deep dark red center, deep red rim with some signs of age. Vanilla, toasted oak, raspberry and strawberry jam, blueberries. A little stern, blueberry, solid tannins, dusty and a little gritty, good toasted oak, a little VA, vanilla, tapenade, good stalky finish. As someone else said, a bit of a monster. Combination of old and new world, will probably be better in a couple of years.

Delicious. Surprisingly big, rich, meaty aroma with tons of ripe fruit. The flavor was much more restrained, with plenty of acidity, medium body, and plenty of structured tannins still. This wine probably could have aged another decade easily. Still, fabulous. Decanted for ~1 hour.

Decant this monster...I did not =(

I was a bit tough on the score last time. Same great stuff. The nose could offer up more for me in this quality range. It is a big nod to the old world style and this thing could go for 20 more years.

P&P. Rich & dark looking. BIg Cab notes, sweet blueberries. Vanilla creme, but a serious wine. Dusty bottle on the inside. Juicy, tight & wound up. Balanced. The fruit, oak, acid, tannins all lined up, playing perfectly, this is drinking fine & should age gracefully. Day II. Same deep Cali Napa Cab color. Mint, menthol, eucalyptus, some dried fruit in there. The palate has some licorice now, mushroom, charred oak, wintergreen, more green notes, pepper. Get a big dose of …

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What a gorgeous Bordeaux-influenced Napa red! Decanted for 3 hours. Beautiful color- deep and rich without looking inky or overly extracted. Full aromas of red currant, cedar, cassis, violet, and mint. The front palate is full with savory black olive, black currant, cocoa, black tea, and cedar notes that are delivered with a rich & silky texture. Oak notes are well integrated and with flavors that are delivered with finesse-driven power. Plenty of weight and grip in the mid-palate, with …

Wow! Beautiful dark rich garnet color. Nose of fishing lure / licorice... a little clean wet dog... Floral notes and pecan! Strong acid. Chewy. Fantastic!

Billie and I had the opportunity to taste Mr. Vandendriessche's Cabernet at his 20 something year old caves while in Napa. We were both very impressed. This cab has such an elegant balance of fruit and acids with some nice low key oak thrown in for good measure (~30% new oak for 22 months). This is not a huge chewy wine from the cult wannabe's, this is a classy wine that is made to be consumed with food. A very …

Very big bold extracted cabernet, but with decent balance. Not really my style but well made.