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Purple color. Plummy perfumed nose which was an accurate predictor of the palate. On the tongue, it was a superbly integrated wine of many layers and beginning secondary characteristics. Fine-grained tannins balanced a cab-sauvignon austerity laced with the more racy notes of cab franc. Really coming together now and very enjoyable to sit and savor. (93 pts.)

WIML90,PURPLE91,WA90,WS93 Tasted May 7, 2007 at home. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of kirsch, cassis, plums and currants. PURPLE noted a little caramel. Flavors of black berries, black cherries and currants. PURPLE noted some vanilla and red cherry. Light to medium acidity, integrated tannins, medium body. Slightly short finish. Drink over the short to medium term. Be sure and decant for sediment only. (90 pts.)

PIML89,WIML90,PURPLE91,DRAC92,WS93,KAISER94,UNCLEFLOYD95 Tasted May 11, 2007 at home in the living room. Opened and served immediately in a 82% Lead Free Crystall glass from Bohemia. Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, garnet to purple color on the table, clear hue throughout everywhere. Nose of kirsch, cassis, plums and currants. PURPLE noted a little caramel, Uncle Floyd noted lots of caramel, KAISER noted wild mushrooms. Flavors of black berries, black cherries and black currants, black cat, black fruit, black mushrooms, black plague. DRAC noted some vanilla and red blood. Drink over the short to medium term. Drinking over long term may be detrimental to the Bohemian Crystall. Be sure and decant for sediment only or you'll be sorry for medium + term. ( pts.)

Interesting up and down performance for this wine. In December I thought I was a prophet as that bottle was really really nice and was benefiting from the bottle age I previously thought was necessary. This one is more like that the one in April '05 with characteristic cab profile but somewhat muted and uninspiring on the palate. Only okay. I have another and will have to roll the dice on when to open -- my guess is soon. (87 pts.)

Not sure this will get any better. Still some tannins, but very smooth. Cassis, muted tobacco, spices. Nice lingering finish. Much better than I expected it to be. (92 pts.)

cassis, red fruits. still with some tannins, good attack but fairly simple. nice finish. (88 pts.)