Joe, I know that you’ve enjoyed #200 far more than I have (I actually don’t find it enjoyable at all at this young stage)…but I honestly can say that etheral is the last descriptor that I would use for this wine. To me, ‘etheral’ in wine evokes a lighter, almost elegant mouth-feel, while still having enough going on in terms of the fruit and flavor profile to make it exciting. To me, #200 is far, FAR from that descriptor. In fact, I’d say its the opposite of etheral. Its heavy, massively full bodied, and 1-dimensional (right now). I do hope that changes with time, but there’s only one way to find out!
*I realize peeps might have a different personal definition of the word ‘etheral’ when it comes to wine, but that’s where my head goes with the term and how it relates to #200 specifically
I have no clue how someone would ever describe #100 as “ethereal”. It is an overdone overripe overoaked monster.
dN wines can be great QPR but let’s face it, Cameron’s notes seldom have any resemblance on what the wine really is like.
I will quote part of my friend Otto’s note here because he describes it better than I could:
"Ugh. To me, this felt a rather heavy, soft and overdone Napa Cab with tons of ripeness and fruit, but very little in the way of structure or nuance. "
Well, lessons learned. I agree with Rich Brown’s statement: “To me, ‘etheral’ in wine evokes a lighter, almost elegant mouth-feel, while still having enough going on in terms of the fruit and flavor profile to make it exciting.”
But one person’s elegant mouthfeel is another’s fruit bomb/oak monster. So, as others have said, paying attention to alcohol percentages & oak treatment (as well as region) gives better indications of what the style of a wine will be. Still, I have few regrets about the wines I’ve purchased, even some of the heavier ones that I’m waiting to sample. They will have a time & place to enjoy them. And I’m still excited about the Valtellina.
Anyone have thoughts on Ron Noble? Not much out there on the label (other than some very favorable WE reviews which seem to align with me pretty well these days).
Interesting timing that 100 rears its head again as I just came across a Wine Spectator review of 100. I know many are not fans of WS but I thought it was interesting. It scored an 88.
PHOENIX WINE COMPANY
Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford de Négoce OG N. 100 2019
Score: 88 | $29
WS review: Delivers a core of mulled raspberry and boysenberry pâte de fruit notes, laced with dried anise and singed cedar through the slightly taut finish. Drink now through 2027.—J.M.
That was a good find, did not see that one.
Candied fruit (pate de fruit) notes, that’s a good descriptor for it. I just call it overripe
I sometimes read Cameron’s original notes for fun. This one is one of the better ones for #100.
“gorgeously ethereal and energetic with raspberry and cherry fruit dancing with damson plum and the quintessential Rutherford Dust. Decadent dark fruits swim below while a kiss of maple syrup sweetens the purple lilac top notes. Elegantly structured and beautifully balanced on the palate with the supple red fruits melded nicely onto minerally tannins that unwind to show the darker fruit notes underneath. The wine has fantastic weight to it and unfurls beautifully on your palate despite its youth.”
Let’s face it, wine enjoyment is subjective, and different people will have different descriptors based on their palate. I was enjoying a Zinfandel last night and read the producer’s note calling out “apricot”. I hadn’t noticed apricot ever in a red wine, but by God was it ever there. I appreciate Cameron’s notes, and I’ve found many of them to be useful. Sometimes I have a different experience than he does when tasting the same wine, but all part of the fun.
I agree. I really like the tasting notes he provides too. Often I’ll taste the wines without re-reading his tasting notes and then make my own. I usually have the wine folly book handy… Then I compare. Sometimes they are spot on, other times off a little. In general, minus the marketing fluff, I find his descriptions spot on. Overall it’s fun and part of the experience!
Highest rated de Negoce wine from Wine Spectator is No. 48 pinot. It got a 90 which is pretty solid on their scale.
Score: 90
Tasting Note
This is showing some maturity, with a sous-bois frame around a core of mulled black cherry and blackberry fruit. Reveals light blood orange, cedar and smoldering tea on the finish. Drink now through 2024.
I missed your reply back on July 22. Yes, Mickey took care of the issue by apologizing and offering a $25 refund on my last order, which I gladly accepted.
We enjoyed the one bottle of 270 we opened & I think it’s an excellent deal at tranche one prices. It’s a young wine with room for development in coming years.
I’m curious about those who have not enjoyed the 100 & 200 cabs. Have there been dN cabs you have enjoyed & what has been the difference? I ask because wine preferences are so subjective & I find that my own preferences vary. I think I don’t like big, oaky & overly fruity wines, but then on a chilly fall night one “tastes pretty good to me” with a bowl of beef stew. I have also found that I much prefer “big” wines slightly chilled, especially in summer. And the acidity makes a big difference.
I bought two cases of #270 from the original offer and went back for three more earlier this week (even before Cam’s reminder email) after we opened the first bottle of the original order. Great wine without even considering the price.
FWIW, the original 270 price I have in my email was $138 ($119 + $19 shipping), not $149 which was advertised as the Tranche 1 pricing in his reminder.
Funny, I went back and looked too! Not to check the price but to read the email. Anyway, 80 cents more a bottle w/ 6 months time in it works for me. Plus I have the coupons.
Meanwhile, how on god’s earth is he shipping cases of wine cross country for $19?
So I can’t speak to many of the dN cabs like other peeps here can, but for me, #200 (right now) is exactly like you referenced. Its a massive, 1-dimensional oak monster that is full of heat and chocolate…which is NOT (at all) what I’m looking for when it comes to cabs (or any wine for that matter).
To your point, I love me a ‘bigger’ wine from time to time…but there still needs to be some balance between the fruit/structure/oak for me to enjoy it. Currently, #200 has none of that, which is why I’m not very high on it. Its also super young, so hopefully that changes!
Keep in mind this is only my perspective/palate, and others will certainly feel differently about the wine, which is great (Joe Heflin seems to really dig it right now). But since most of us have a case of #200…I’d say let one rip and let us know what you think! That’s the beauty of this boad - lots of different opinions/perspectives, and none of them are ‘wrong’…although mine are definitley always right
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