Judge Palmer Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Vinegrove Terrace

One hour decant. Very very deep ruby magenta core. Plum, dark raspberry, thistle, crushed pecans, prune, walnut brownie, and subtle toffee on the nose. Velvety, tongue drying palate, with pixelated acidity. Full tannins on the longish finish. This ever so slightly past its peak for me. A very nice drinker nonetheless. Good complexity. Not all of the notes are there simultaneously. The nose is expressive, yet somewhat demure.

One hour double decant. Nearly opaque ruby color, with some subtle rim fade. Sour cherry, prune, brownie, and subtle sautéed shiitake mushroom on the nose. Smooth, tongue drying palate, with nice acidity. Firm, full tannins on the long finish. Impressive QPR here (and it’s Sonoma fruit).

90 min double decant. Deep dark magenta color. Geraniums, red currant, plum, beets, and subtle maple syrup and teriyaki on the complex nose. Smooth, dry palate, with powdery, tongue drying acidity. Firm, full tannins on the longish finish. This is going through a bit of a transition at the moment.

90 min decant. Very deep magenta color. Cherry, raspberry, burnt cinnamon toast, and dried date on the nose. Smooth, dry palate, with hearty acidity. Firm, full tannins on the longish finish. Really nice, but a little more red fruited than I like.

Three hour decant. Very deep dark, yet bright, magenta color. Maple long john, boysenberry, plum, smooth tea (not bitter) and fig on the nose. Smooth, dry palate, with nice acidity. Full, medium intensity tannins on the longish finish. This is a wonderful wine, but is in a shy phase. Likely needs a year to transition into whatever is coming next. Still good in spite of what I’ve just noted.

Three hour decant. Very deep ruby magenta color. Maple donut, cinnamon, black currant jam, and subtle almond extract on the rich nose. Very smooth, dry palate, with soft, tongue coating acidity. Very full, but soft tannins on the longish finish. This a a terrific balance of serious and fruit forward (i.e. sweetness on the nose, but zero extraction). It’s hard to believe this is fruit from the heart of Sonoma. Drinks like it’s double the price from Napa.

Three hour decant. Very deep dark purplish magenta color. Blueberry, maple-glazed donut, boysenberry and dried strawberry on the decadent nose. Velvety smooth, dry palate, with wonderful acidity and a nice Dr Pepper note. Firm, full tannins on the longish finish. Beautiful wine that has just entered its drinking window. Best wine I’ve ever had at this price point.

Wonderful lead pencil nose.....great weight on entry. Dark fruit, smooth all the way down....with moderate plus tannins and acidity. The overwhelming input of American or maybe even Hungarian oak, the spiciness of which was very dominant and very pleasing, as I happen to like a lot of oak and spice in my cabs. Great wine!