Great wine, Hard to open. This wine requires an Ah-So, sooo, we are including one. If you have split a case, please email us at ariana@winecountryconnect.com within 48 hours with your order number and number of people you split it with to make sure you receive additional Ah-So’s.
2005 Anagram Red Blend, Knights Valley, Sonoma County
Tasting Notes
After a taste, the palate is immediately coated in a smooth and velvety texture, followed by a bold structure that is the backbone of this distinct blend. On a first pass, the nose shows plummy fruit, black olives and a well-aged cedar chest. Then with a little swirl, the finish is filled with Italian herbs and leather flavors, which seem to linger on the palate indefinitely, making this wine enjoyable even after the last sip is taken. Decant and drink now or put it in your cellar for enjoyment in years to come.
Aroma: A bouquet of black cherry fills the nose, while delicate vanilla and spice from the oak add layers of complexity to discover and enjoy.
Specs
Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 6% Petite Syrah
Appellation: Knights Valley, Sonoma County
Alcohol: 14.2%
2007 Anagram Red Blend, Knights Valley, Sonoma County
Tasting Notes
This voluptuos 2007 Cabernet blend – a fan favorite – has reached exuberant flavors and textures and will continue to evolve for another decade. Upon first sip, these fruit and spice characteristics overlap with subtle vanilla. Its toasty overtones are derived from the barrel-aging process in which oak from three very different regions (France, Hungary and the U.S.) is integrated into the wine. Its aromas of cherry and red raspberry commingle with spicy nutmeg and bold clove. Underlying hints of dried cranberries and fruit leather add further to its complexity. Velvety tannin and sturdy acidity give this wine a balanced mouthfeel that is at once powerful and approachable. These qualities make the 2007 vintage a wonderful complement to strong and hearty food pairings.
A baby who wouldn’t sleep began the Moran family sojourn into the wine business. As a two-year-old, John Moran was impossible to get to sleep. Like a lot of parents, we tried to cure him of this by taking him for long car rides. From San Francisco, those rides always went north into some of the prime wine-growing regions of the world.
One rainy Sunday and 90 minutes outside of the city, we came upon a large white Victorian home in the middle of a beautiful valley we had never before visited. The house stood out like a pearl in the oyster. When we reached the property, there was a large FOR SALE sign out front. The rest, as they say, is history. We bought the house and the surrounding twelve acres and started two projects: the development of a small winery and the restoration of the house.
Today, Moran Manor is a small family-owned vineyard located in Knights Valley, Sonoma County. The estate is owned and operated by us - Rich and Carol Moran and our four children. Oldest son Brady Moran took over as vineyard manager in 2018.
Now committed to making just 4 barrels of red wine each year, our 1 acre vineyard is planted to 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 10% Syrah. Our first vintage of Anagram, our classic red blend, was released in 2002, and we have been learning and growing and going strong ever since…
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2005/2007 Moran Manor Anagram Red Blend + Ah-So - $90 = 37.49%
If you have split a case, please email us at ariana@winecountryconnect.com within 48 hours with your order number and number of people you split it with to make sure you receive additional Ah-So’s.
Oh my, I feel like we should grab a few bottles from the last few sales and drop them off in the “No ILL” State! Only if we were passing thru on our way Branson this summer, but alas there are too many weddings and graduations scheduled!
Who am I? A wine aficionado, but not a professional in any capacity. I favor big Napa reds, so this review should be right up my alley. I host formal wine tasting events with friends and coworkers about 10 times per year, both to educate and learn about different regions and varietals, and enhance my rigor around tasting notes.
Should you trust me? Nah. Your taste is different than mine. The way you enjoy, purchase, and cellar wine is likely different than me.
How’d I taste this? My darling wife agreed to have a glass with me, and add her thoughts as I read mine out. We had a glass before dinner, with dinner, and the following day. Changes between tastings were imperceptible.
Right out of the gate, this has a SOFT cork. The top half was shredded by my corkscrew, and then the ah-so just pushed it into the bottle. Didn’t expect it to be so soft, otherwise would’ve used The Durand. Oh well, filtered into a decanter.
Tasting notes: The color is perfectly garnet, with no bricking. Light sediment, but far less than typical of this vintage. Slow legs, even slower than I’d expect for a blend. On the nose is plum and dried cherry, with a bit of a musty smell. Flavors of tart cherry was the only one we could both agree on when tasted. Angular texture and medium bodied, slightly bitter short finish, and high acidity. This is likely at the end of its drinkability. 83 points.
Before looking it up, and before this sale was posted, I estimated the price at $15/bottle.
My only prior experience with Knights Valley is the Beringer KVR Cab. I’d hoped the Moran would be reminiscent of it, but again, I think the blend isn’t holding up to age as well.
First time Rat, I was really excited when I opened up the FedEx box to see a 14 Cab blend, as I usually prefer wines with a few years on them (Lopez de Heredia is my favorite winery). We let the bottle sit for a week to settle down, finally opening it last night an hour before dinner.
Opening: The cork was soft but in good shape, I coincidentally used an ah-so just out of habit. Beautiful deep red color, light sediment. The nose was green pepper and leather, plate largely the same with just a hint of some black cherry. Tannins were nice and soft but still had some grip. One hour in Poured full glasses when dinner arrived, the wine had opened up some, the fruit was a little more pronounced alongside some vanilla.
Overall I liked the wine, but wouldn’t say I loved it. A low 80’s score if I was the scoring type. I saved some to try with tonight’s brisket, I’ll try to report back in with any updates.
From tasting notes around, cellartracker / invino, some are quite pleased with how it’s holding up, some not, and some are middling. A lot of that is of course due to peoples’ different tastes.
But reading between the lines, I think there’s a good bit of bottle variation. Clues are the cork situation, variance in how recent tasters said this was holding up. And, why is the winery suddenly selling at such a discount? My guess is they’ve been tasting the wine as it ages and thinking, “oh yeah, good stuff, we can milk these as library wines from great years”, but they recently discovered there’s more inconsistency than they’d like, and figured, let’s cash out with those understanding Casemates people.
Works for me. I get Trader Joes Shiraz boxes for $12, the equivalent of $3/bottle. The quality varies. Usually it’s solid $8/bottle value, sometimes more, sometimes less. I finally had a box so below average that the quality was really $3/bottle. Well, that’s what I paid! So, no real downside to my TJ Shiraz gamble.
Seems like the same here. A couple or three of these bottles will end up being really good in stew or stroganoff or tacos meat, with some pretty nice, and some quality aged wine from 2005 and 2007. We’re not Cab people, but I might snag some of these for friends.
I have one of each of these from another site (where I paid significantly more for them). I will be out of town over the weekend with spotty cell reception but wouldn’t mind one more of each if any NE OH peeps need someone to fill out a case.
Intrigued by casemates ah-so, but concerned this may be a low acid/ high pH wine. I love getting wines that have spent some time in the cellar, but not if they’re low acid fruit bombs the years have wilted.
First, I want to thank Ariana and Casemates for the opportunity to Lab Rat! Email arrived several days in advance, all relevant information provided, and delivery was relatively uneventful.
Even the choice of wine fit into my consumption profile. I’m primarily a red drinker with a strong preference for aged cabs. This wine was right in my wheelhouse.
Opening this wine was a challenge without an ah-so (could not track ours down). Most, but not all of the cork was extracted, but the remainder had to be pushed into the bottle. Wine was immediately transferred to a decanter.
Appearance: Deep ruby red, clear and largely free of sediment. No bricking at the edges.
Aroma: The predominant note for me was cranberry, with a slight whiff of alcohol.
Flavor: Somewhat tart, with red fruits (mostly cranberry) and some cassis. No discernible alcohol or RS. Good acidity. No dominant oak. Medium body and finish.
Overall thoughts: This wine caught me off guard. I found it far more youthful than expected for a 12 year old wine, with none of the dusty, cigar box notes I’ve experienced with other aged wines. I was also surprised it was so cab dominant; I would have guessed a heavier merlot component.
This was was consumed with a prime ribeye and the pairing worked well, but I also think it could work on its own. SWMBO, a pescatarian, had white tuna and enjoyed the wine even more than I did.
I expected the overall price point to be somewhere between $15-20 (case price) so $12.50 is really a great deal IMO. I’m completely overloaded with wine right now, but would purchase if I found a willing Casemate!
@rjquillin Interest, yes. I liked the 2007 from last time. Any reasonable place to put it? none. Like none none. Speaking of which, when should we do the next exchange?
@SippinSantiagos
UTC around Towne Center and LJ Village Dr has been a popular spot.
Some have come to where I work near Qualcomm, a bit north of Mira Mesa Blvd. I live in east county, Lakeside area, so that too is an option.
Any folks in Northern MA going for this? I’d be up for a case split, live/work in Southern NH… I shared the 2007 with someone before on a previous offer and thus far the one bottle I’ve cracked was quite good It was a few months removed or I’d post notes…maybe I’ll sample another one tonight?
I purchased a case of the 2007 vintage offered here last year and gave one to my niece and myself have opened four. The cork crumbled on three, including the one my niece received. Two of the bottles I opened were wonderful, one was awful, and one was neutral. My niece said hers was awful. So, my thoughts are the 2007 vintage is a toss up; can’t speak for the 2005. I cannot say for certain that the ones that had corkage issues were necessarily the bad ones, but the ones that were good were delicious. I applaud the offer of the Ah-so opener, but it really is not necessary and it is not enough of a come on to persuade me to by more of the 2007 vintage. Just my two cents.
Only did 2 bottles when the 2007 was on here back in September…and regretted not doing the full case once we tried it. The friend I shared the second bottle with said if it comes up again they’re in for a split so the full case was an insta-buy for us this time.
Update: I did crack another bottle from the last 2007 offering, and had a small glass tonight. Thus far I’ve had 2/2 bottles tried where the corks are old but intact enough to (carefully) remove with my normal corkscrew. First sips with very little airing time - I definitely get the tart cherry and cranberry notes that others mentioned, and just a touch of heat - and just a hint of that aged wine profile with subtle leather or maybe tobacco. As it sat in the glass it settled down and opened up more. I paired it with cheese ravioli and a hearty beef/spinach/tomato ragù. This pairing definitely enhanced the wine’s flavor even more as notes of spice also came out. I enjoyed it and will sample again tomorrow night and post back here. DEFINITELY would go for a case split if anyone in Northern MA is buying, because I’d enjoy having more of the 2007 and would love to try the 2005, even if the corks sound like they might be a bit of a gamble
I’m not sure why I wasn’t a ‘rat on this one… For those of you with a long(ish) memory, I’m the guy who likes his Cabs (and Bordeaux blends) well-aged and at least 10… and have for the past 50-odd years.
I also did not have this last time around on Casemates.
That said, the 2005 and 2006 were on the predecessor site in early 2011, and I did pick up 3 bottles. I thought the 2005 was very characteristic of Knights Valley fruit. I preferred it to the 2006, which didn’t really gel for me (but I wasn’t that much a fan of the vintage anyway). I thought there was a fair shot of the 2005 aging well for a decade or so, but didn’t expect the 2006 to go anywhere. When I had the 2005 after a decade or so a few years ago, my initial impression was confirmed. Nice bottle of wine, still seemed fairly youthful, but you’d never mistake it for Rutherford Bench fruit.
The first Knights Valley wine that really caught my attention was the 1978 Beringer KV cab - a lovely wine in a lovely, sunny year. It was priced at less than half of what reasonable Napa cab cost generally, and maybe at 1/4 or less of the cost of good Rutherford Bench cab. I put a couple of cases away and drank it with pleasure in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. What it did not do was hold up much past its mid-teens. And, over the years, that has tended to be my experience with Knights Valley cab: it can be delicious, but drink by its mid teens.
That said, at these prices, and with an Ah-so thrown in (though one still cannot get good ones of the sort that were used in the industry in the ‘50s) for sh*ts and giggles, anyone with an interest in aged cab should give this a go. Even if only half the bottles are good - and I suspect you’d do much better than that - it’s less than the price of very mediocre Napa or Sonoma AOC cabs (which will be ~20% Lodi often…) you’ll drink far too young.
@rpm This is probably a healthier attitude. I picked up a case of the '07 and the dried out corks made me suspicious of how they were stored. Wines ranged from pleasant to oxidized but certainly nicely acidic for the ones that worked. Have enough left that the '05s aren’t drawing me in.
WD - are you selling the ah so separately (or, for that matter, any decanters)?
That said, at these prices, and with an Ah-so thrown in (though one still cannot get good ones of the sort that were used in the industry in the ‘50s) for sh*ts and giggles, anyone with an interest in aged cab should give this a go. Even if only half the bottles are good - and I suspect you’d do much better than that - it’s less than the price of very mediocre Napa or Sonoma AOC cabs (which will be ~20% Lodi often…) you’ll drink far too young.
Yeah, this is exactly what I’d do if I had the space! Everybody should listen to rpm!
@rpm Hi - not sure how this works as I’m a first time message board user so not sure if you were responding to me. If so, I’d definitely be interested if you are able to meet in NYC (no worries at all if not!). I work in midtown and live downtown.
So far my 2007 Anagram corks have held up but I’ve only tried 2 of them since last September. It seemed to me like they might need more time also (not the corks!)
Sorry for the delay but my husband’s grandmother is ill and in the hospital this weekend. No computer access so no rat sign.
I was excited to rat after receiving an email Tuesday and the wine Wednesday. I got a bottle of the 2005 cab blend. This timing was way faster than expected as I often have post issues. I invited a couple of friends over after work to try as well. I’m a bit pickier than they are about wine so figured three reviews would help more than one. We tried a half glass each together with different foods and I saved some for day 2 and day 3, the real test.
After an initial pour and sip, the wine was heavily fruited on the nose and we were excited to try. The first sip was dry and short, without much flavor but also not sour or too much alcohol. It appeared medium bodied and a nice purple color in the glass. We poured half a glass each. We had cheddar cheese and Parmesan, and both brought out a bit more earth, that was lacking alone. The wine seemed a bit acidic and didn’t have the leather I like. It didn’t have any floral notes either, mostly fruit. My friends said it would make a nice table wine. One friend said she’d pay $15. The wine wasn’t good with grapes or anything sweet we tried but was nice with dark chocolate pretzels.
Day 2 and 3, I had a glass wine alone. Day 2 with a steak and veggies. The wine was much better of day 2, fruity, but not sweet, and acidic. It was better with the food than without. I was surprised how much it had opened up but the flavor was still short and mostly on the front of my tongue. It was pretty easy to drink but not something that lingers. Day 3 was my favorite and finally had a bit more depth but the acidity also developed and I tasted some more alcohol. I couldn’t decide if that meant it could lay down a few years.
I typically drink Pinot noir and bubbly. I’d say this wine would make a good table wine and would be worth trying. I wouldn’t go in for a case unless this is your kind of wine. I’ve had worse for $20 for sure but I’ve also had better. I’d go for this wine for $20 over a random bottle at the store for sure! Thanks for the chance to rat, and thanks to all of you for your continued advice and community!
@jchasma The bottle had quite a bit of sediment so I did use a small strainer when pouring into the glasses since I didn’t have the luxury of storing the bottle upright for a few days before trying it.
Great wine, Hard to open. This wine requires an Ah-So, sooo, we are including one. If you have split a case, please email us at ariana@winecountryconnect.com within 48 hours with your order number and number of people you split it with to make sure you receive additional Ah-So’s.
2005 Anagram Red Blend, Knights Valley, Sonoma County
Tasting Notes
After a taste, the palate is immediately coated in a smooth and velvety texture, followed by a bold structure that is the backbone of this distinct blend. On a first pass, the nose shows plummy fruit, black olives and a well-aged cedar chest. Then with a little swirl, the finish is filled with Italian herbs and leather flavors, which seem to linger on the palate indefinitely, making this wine enjoyable even after the last sip is taken. Decant and drink now or put it in your cellar for enjoyment in years to come.
Aroma: A bouquet of black cherry fills the nose, while delicate vanilla and spice from the oak add layers of complexity to discover and enjoy.
Specs
2007 Anagram Red Blend, Knights Valley, Sonoma County
Tasting Notes
This voluptuos 2007 Cabernet blend – a fan favorite – has reached exuberant flavors and textures and will continue to evolve for another decade. Upon first sip, these fruit and spice characteristics overlap with subtle vanilla. Its toasty overtones are derived from the barrel-aging process in which oak from three very different regions (France, Hungary and the U.S.) is integrated into the wine. Its aromas of cherry and red raspberry commingle with spicy nutmeg and bold clove. Underlying hints of dried cranberries and fruit leather add further to its complexity. Velvety tannin and sturdy acidity give this wine a balanced mouthfeel that is at once powerful and approachable. These qualities make the 2007 vintage a wonderful complement to strong and hearty food pairings.
Specs
Included in the Box
Price Comparison
$631.51/case (including shipping) at Moran Manor Winery
About The Winery
Winery: Moran Manor Winery
A baby who wouldn’t sleep began the Moran family sojourn into the wine business. As a two-year-old, John Moran was impossible to get to sleep. Like a lot of parents, we tried to cure him of this by taking him for long car rides. From San Francisco, those rides always went north into some of the prime wine-growing regions of the world.
One rainy Sunday and 90 minutes outside of the city, we came upon a large white Victorian home in the middle of a beautiful valley we had never before visited. The house stood out like a pearl in the oyster. When we reached the property, there was a large FOR SALE sign out front. The rest, as they say, is history. We bought the house and the surrounding twelve acres and started two projects: the development of a small winery and the restoration of the house.
Today, Moran Manor is a small family-owned vineyard located in Knights Valley, Sonoma County. The estate is owned and operated by us - Rich and Carol Moran and our four children. Oldest son Brady Moran took over as vineyard manager in 2018.
Now committed to making just 4 barrels of red wine each year, our 1 acre vineyard is planted to 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 10% Syrah. Our first vintage of Anagram, our classic red blend, was released in 2002, and we have been learning and growing and going strong ever since…
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Friday, May 17th - Tuesday, May 21st
Moran Manor Anagram Red Blend
2 bottles for $39.99 $20/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $149.99 $12.50/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2005 Anagram
2007 Anagram
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2005/2007 Moran Manor Anagram Red Blend + Ah-So - $90 = 37.49%
Nice!
@chipgreen Nice guess!
Barn age it, Moran
uhhhh yes, I totally split this case with 11 other people. If I could get 12 Ah-So’s that’d be great. Thanks.
Really big fan on the '07. Gonna think hard on this.
No IL…no Ah So for me.
@karenhynes ditto
Oh my, I feel like we should grab a few bottles from the last few sales and drop them off in the “No ILL” State! Only if we were passing thru on our way Branson this summer, but alas there are too many weddings and graduations scheduled!
Rat reports? Wine with some age can go a lot of different ways…
This is for the 2007 Anagram.
Who am I? A wine aficionado, but not a professional in any capacity. I favor big Napa reds, so this review should be right up my alley. I host formal wine tasting events with friends and coworkers about 10 times per year, both to educate and learn about different regions and varietals, and enhance my rigor around tasting notes.
Should you trust me? Nah. Your taste is different than mine. The way you enjoy, purchase, and cellar wine is likely different than me.
How’d I taste this? My darling wife agreed to have a glass with me, and add her thoughts as I read mine out. We had a glass before dinner, with dinner, and the following day. Changes between tastings were imperceptible.
Right out of the gate, this has a SOFT cork. The top half was shredded by my corkscrew, and then the ah-so just pushed it into the bottle. Didn’t expect it to be so soft, otherwise would’ve used The Durand. Oh well, filtered into a decanter.
Tasting notes: The color is perfectly garnet, with no bricking. Light sediment, but far less than typical of this vintage. Slow legs, even slower than I’d expect for a blend. On the nose is plum and dried cherry, with a bit of a musty smell. Flavors of tart cherry was the only one we could both agree on when tasted. Angular texture and medium bodied, slightly bitter short finish, and high acidity. This is likely at the end of its drinkability. 83 points.
Before looking it up, and before this sale was posted, I estimated the price at $15/bottle.
My only prior experience with Knights Valley is the Beringer KVR Cab. I’d hoped the Moran would be reminiscent of it, but again, I think the blend isn’t holding up to age as well.
Any SoCal folks wanna split?
This is for the 2005
First time Rat, I was really excited when I opened up the FedEx box to see a 14 Cab blend, as I usually prefer wines with a few years on them (Lopez de Heredia is my favorite winery). We let the bottle sit for a week to settle down, finally opening it last night an hour before dinner.
Opening: The cork was soft but in good shape, I coincidentally used an ah-so just out of habit. Beautiful deep red color, light sediment. The nose was green pepper and leather, plate largely the same with just a hint of some black cherry. Tannins were nice and soft but still had some grip.
One hour in Poured full glasses when dinner arrived, the wine had opened up some, the fruit was a little more pronounced alongside some vanilla.
Overall I liked the wine, but wouldn’t say I loved it. A low 80’s score if I was the scoring type. I saved some to try with tonight’s brisket, I’ll try to report back in with any updates.
From tasting notes around, cellartracker / invino, some are quite pleased with how it’s holding up, some not, and some are middling. A lot of that is of course due to peoples’ different tastes.
But reading between the lines, I think there’s a good bit of bottle variation. Clues are the cork situation, variance in how recent tasters said this was holding up. And, why is the winery suddenly selling at such a discount? My guess is they’ve been tasting the wine as it ages and thinking, “oh yeah, good stuff, we can milk these as library wines from great years”, but they recently discovered there’s more inconsistency than they’d like, and figured, let’s cash out with those understanding Casemates people.
Works for me. I get Trader Joes Shiraz boxes for $12, the equivalent of $3/bottle. The quality varies. Usually it’s solid $8/bottle value, sometimes more, sometimes less. I finally had a box so below average that the quality was really $3/bottle. Well, that’s what I paid! So, no real downside to my TJ Shiraz gamble.
Seems like the same here. A couple or three of these bottles will end up being really good in stew or stroganoff or tacos meat, with some pretty nice, and some quality aged wine from 2005 and 2007. We’re not Cab people, but I might snag some of these for friends.
I have one of each of these from another site (where I paid significantly more for them). I will be out of town over the weekend with spotty cell reception but wouldn’t mind one more of each if any NE OH peeps need someone to fill out a case.
Intrigued by casemates ah-so, but concerned this may be a low acid/ high pH wine. I love getting wines that have spent some time in the cellar, but not if they’re low acid fruit bombs the years have wilted.
2007 Moran Manor Anagram Red
First, I want to thank Ariana and Casemates for the opportunity to Lab Rat! Email arrived several days in advance, all relevant information provided, and delivery was relatively uneventful.
Even the choice of wine fit into my consumption profile. I’m primarily a red drinker with a strong preference for aged cabs. This wine was right in my wheelhouse.
Opening this wine was a challenge without an ah-so (could not track ours down). Most, but not all of the cork was extracted, but the remainder had to be pushed into the bottle. Wine was immediately transferred to a decanter.
Appearance: Deep ruby red, clear and largely free of sediment. No bricking at the edges.
Aroma: The predominant note for me was cranberry, with a slight whiff of alcohol.
Flavor: Somewhat tart, with red fruits (mostly cranberry) and some cassis. No discernible alcohol or RS. Good acidity. No dominant oak. Medium body and finish.
Overall thoughts: This wine caught me off guard. I found it far more youthful than expected for a 12 year old wine, with none of the dusty, cigar box notes I’ve experienced with other aged wines. I was also surprised it was so cab dominant; I would have guessed a heavier merlot component.
This was was consumed with a prime ribeye and the pairing worked well, but I also think it could work on its own. SWMBO, a pescatarian, had white tuna and enjoyed the wine even more than I did.
I expected the overall price point to be somewhere between $15-20 (case price) so $12.50 is really a great deal IMO. I’m completely overloaded with wine right now, but would purchase if I found a willing Casemate!
I’ll be happy to answer any questions. Cheers!
Would be interested in a two or three way split on a case if there is anyone in the Bay Area interested in doing so (I am in SF). Anyone???
Seems like a tossup on the bottle quality, but not a big cost for the gamble. Denver peeps, 3 way split? @CObrent @bolligra
@knlprez @bolligra I’d take 2 bottles (want that Ah-So!), but not more…I have storage issues, like many on this site!
@knlprez None for me, sorry
@knlprez I’d go in in a split for between 2 to 4 bottles!
@kristian @CObrent
Ok, I’ll order. Kristian takes 4 and Brent takes 2? And yeah, I have way too much wine right now, but luckily I’m not ordering over the summer!
@knlprez @kristian OK - just don’t forget to write and ask for the extra Ah-So’s!
@CObrent @kristian
Already emailed her!
/giphy affable-marbled-brush
SoCal/SD interest?
@rjquillin Interest, yes. I liked the 2007 from last time. Any reasonable place to put it? none. Like none none. Speaking of which, when should we do the next exchange?
@rjquillin @funnywontons wanted a spilt, I can help as well. I’d take 2-4 bottles.
@rjquillin
Where in socal do you normally meet up for case splits?
@SippinSantiagos
UTC around Towne Center and LJ Village Dr has been a popular spot.
Some have come to where I work near Qualcomm, a bit north of Mira Mesa Blvd. I live in east county, Lakeside area, so that too is an option.
@CorTot @funnywontons
This would suggest shipping up your way.
Got some cool storage room?
@funnywontons @rjquillin I can put yours in my parents walk in cellar. It’s where mine are going.
@CorTot @rjquillin
Count me in for 2-4 if a split happens!
@CorTot @funnywontons
The walk-in gets the nod for a 3-way.
lacy-dear-chemist
Any folks in Northern MA going for this? I’d be up for a case split, live/work in Southern NH… I shared the 2007 with someone before on a previous offer and thus far the one bottle I’ve cracked was quite good
It was a few months removed or I’d post notes…maybe I’ll sample another one tonight?
I purchased a case of the 2007 vintage offered here last year and gave one to my niece and myself have opened four. The cork crumbled on three, including the one my niece received. Two of the bottles I opened were wonderful, one was awful, and one was neutral. My niece said hers was awful. So, my thoughts are the 2007 vintage is a toss up; can’t speak for the 2005. I cannot say for certain that the ones that had corkage issues were necessarily the bad ones, but the ones that were good were delicious. I applaud the offer of the Ah-so opener, but it really is not necessary and it is not enough of a come on to persuade me to by more of the 2007 vintage. Just my two cents.
Only did 2 bottles when the 2007 was on here back in September…and regretted not doing the full case once we tried it. The friend I shared the second bottle with said if it comes up again they’re in for a split so the full case was an insta-buy for us this time.
distasteful-outdated-gorilla
Update: I did crack another bottle from the last 2007 offering, and had a small glass tonight. Thus far I’ve had 2/2 bottles tried where the corks are old but intact enough to (carefully) remove with my normal corkscrew. First sips with very little airing time - I definitely get the tart cherry and cranberry notes that others mentioned, and just a touch of heat - and just a hint of that aged wine profile with subtle leather or maybe tobacco. As it sat in the glass it settled down and opened up more. I paired it with cheese ravioli and a hearty beef/spinach/tomato ragù. This pairing definitely enhanced the wine’s flavor even more as notes of spice also came out. I enjoyed it and will sample again tomorrow night and post back here. DEFINITELY would go for a case split if anyone in Northern MA is buying, because I’d enjoy having more of the 2007 and would love to try the 2005, even if the corks sound like they might be a bit of a gamble
In for a case.
I’m not sure why I wasn’t a ‘rat on this one… For those of you with a long(ish) memory, I’m the guy who likes his Cabs (and Bordeaux blends) well-aged and at least 10… and have for the past 50-odd years.
I also did not have this last time around on Casemates.
That said, the 2005 and 2006 were on the predecessor site in early 2011, and I did pick up 3 bottles. I thought the 2005 was very characteristic of Knights Valley fruit. I preferred it to the 2006, which didn’t really gel for me (but I wasn’t that much a fan of the vintage anyway). I thought there was a fair shot of the 2005 aging well for a decade or so, but didn’t expect the 2006 to go anywhere. When I had the 2005 after a decade or so a few years ago, my initial impression was confirmed. Nice bottle of wine, still seemed fairly youthful, but you’d never mistake it for Rutherford Bench fruit.
The first Knights Valley wine that really caught my attention was the 1978 Beringer KV cab - a lovely wine in a lovely, sunny year. It was priced at less than half of what reasonable Napa cab cost generally, and maybe at 1/4 or less of the cost of good Rutherford Bench cab. I put a couple of cases away and drank it with pleasure in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. What it did not do was hold up much past its mid-teens. And, over the years, that has tended to be my experience with Knights Valley cab: it can be delicious, but drink by its mid teens.
That said, at these prices, and with an Ah-so thrown in (though one still cannot get good ones of the sort that were used in the industry in the ‘50s) for sh*ts and giggles, anyone with an interest in aged cab should give this a go. Even if only half the bottles are good - and I suspect you’d do much better than that - it’s less than the price of very mediocre Napa or Sonoma AOC cabs (which will be ~20% Lodi often…) you’ll drink far too young.
Go for it!
@rpm we SHOULD have picked you RPM. Great input as usual.
@rpm This is probably a healthier attitude. I picked up a case of the '07 and the dried out corks made me suspicious of how they were stored. Wines ranged from pleasant to oxidized but certainly nicely acidic for the ones that worked. Have enough left that the '05s aren’t drawing me in.
WD - are you selling the ah so separately (or, for that matter, any decanters)?
@rpm @Winedavid49
Yeah, this is exactly what I’d do if I had the space! Everybody should listen to rpm!
@rpm @Winedavid49 All bow to rpm…come on now, whining not allowed
@canonizer @rpm not sold separately. but if you come visit, i’ll give you one.
Anyone in nyc interested in splitting a case?
@Montepulciano I commute to NYC and there’s a chance for a NJ split https://casemates.com/forum/topics/nj-and-casemates-perfect-together#5cbc2b5d5c93d2032c5e0ebb
@kelaiem @Montepulciano I’d take 2 bottles, one of each. Don’t really need more with my '07 experience in hand.
I could do a split or 1/3. I’m CT but can sort out. I will be abroad from mid-May through first week of June, tho.
@rpm Hi - not sure how this works as I’m a first time message board user so not sure if you were responding to me. If so, I’d definitely be interested if you are able to meet in NYC (no worries at all if not!). I work in midtown and live downtown.
In for a case, I don’t have any of the '05…AH-SOOOOO
So far my 2007 Anagram corks have held up but I’ve only tried 2 of them since last September. It seemed to me like they might need more time also (not the corks!)
@ttboy23 i am about half way through the case of 2007’s I bought last time and agree with your comments - particularly on corks
Lab Rat Report
Happy Easter to everyone!
Sorry for the delay but my husband’s grandmother is ill and in the hospital this weekend. No computer access so no rat sign.
I was excited to rat after receiving an email Tuesday and the wine Wednesday. I got a bottle of the 2005 cab blend. This timing was way faster than expected as I often have post issues. I invited a couple of friends over after work to try as well. I’m a bit pickier than they are about wine so figured three reviews would help more than one. We tried a half glass each together with different foods and I saved some for day 2 and day 3, the real test.
After an initial pour and sip, the wine was heavily fruited on the nose and we were excited to try. The first sip was dry and short, without much flavor but also not sour or too much alcohol. It appeared medium bodied and a nice purple color in the glass. We poured half a glass each. We had cheddar cheese and Parmesan, and both brought out a bit more earth, that was lacking alone. The wine seemed a bit acidic and didn’t have the leather I like. It didn’t have any floral notes either, mostly fruit. My friends said it would make a nice table wine. One friend said she’d pay $15. The wine wasn’t good with grapes or anything sweet we tried but was nice with dark chocolate pretzels.
Day 2 and 3, I had a glass wine alone. Day 2 with a steak and veggies. The wine was much better of day 2, fruity, but not sweet, and acidic. It was better with the food than without. I was surprised how much it had opened up but the flavor was still short and mostly on the front of my tongue. It was pretty easy to drink but not something that lingers. Day 3 was my favorite and finally had a bit more depth but the acidity also developed and I tasted some more alcohol. I couldn’t decide if that meant it could lay down a few years.
I typically drink Pinot noir and bubbly. I’d say this wine would make a good table wine and would be worth trying. I wouldn’t go in for a case unless this is your kind of wine. I’ve had worse for $20 for sure but I’ve also had better. I’d go for this wine for $20 over a random bottle at the store for sure! Thanks for the chance to rat, and thanks to all of you for your continued advice and community!
He is risen!
@jchasma How was the partial bottle stored between days?
@rjquillin I just stuck the cork back in and left the bottle on my counter. My house has been running at about 64 degrees the last couple of weeks.
I forgot to mention I decanted a half glass day one and it opened a bit after a little over two hours. It was still better day 2.
@jchasma The bottle had quite a bit of sediment so I did use a small strainer when pouring into the glasses since I didn’t have the luxury of storing the bottle upright for a few days before trying it.
@jchasma thanks
I got my case but no Ah So. Is that coming in a separate package?
@toddlamp nope. please report to support. sorry about that.
@Winedavid49 Thanks. Done.