Community Tasting Notes (average 93 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 7 notes) - hiding notes with no text

Rating for United States-California: 96 (excellent)<br/><br/>Drinkability: young, aging quickly, could be good now<br/>

The 2007 Dancing Bear displays the intriguing dance of intensity and elegance that has become this mountain wine’s trademark. High-toned aromas of freshly crushed boysenberries, dark cherries and forest-floor spice (imagine walking in a pine forest after a light summer rainfall) introduce a big, dense, tightly wound palate packed with marvelously rich and concentrated black cherry, boysenberry and blackberry flavors, which are enhanced by savory clove, cocoa and vanilla tones. Beautifully structured and with great reserves of intense fruit supported by round, beautifully integrated tannins, this dramatic mountain red will delight wine lovers now and over the next decade. Technical - Grape Variety: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc Vineyards: 100% Dancing Bear Ranch, Estate Howell Mountain, Napa Valley Alcohol content:14.9% Total acidity: 0.62 g/100ml Fermentation: Stainless Steel pH: 3.68 Harvest dates: September 14-27, 2007 Barrel aging: 22 months in French oak, 47% new Winemaker: Julianne Laks From the Wine Advocate, December 2010 The dense purple-colored 2007 Dancing Bear Ranch Proprietary Red reveals more chocolate fudge and coffee notes. It does not have the nuances or complexity of the Benchland Select or the sheer joy of the Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, but there is a lot going on in this cuvee. Slightly monolithic, it is well-endowed, rich and full, so my rating may be slightly conservative.

Fruit front with heavy middle... butterscotch. light finish,

earthy and deep and big. so good.