Tom Garland

9.2

2nd vintage from the Kronos vineyard

Decant and pour(lots of sediment). A medium tawny red color. On the nose: very expressive port like sweet notes with dried cherry, stewed meat, eucalyptus, cedar, herbs. Taste: silky, still fresh for its age, amazing acid wine with sour cherry, loamy soil, licorice and a peppery espresso medium plus finish. YUM! Sure, on the downside, but holds it own tonight. — 12 days ago

with Brenda

Tom Casagrande

9.4

Post dinner party notes. Third bottle I’ve had of this and by far the best yet. Amazing. Such a complex nose, with roasted herbal notes, dark spicy fruit, earthy mineral iodine notes Tannins just about completely resolved. Length and depth for days. Wow. — 22 days ago

Ericsson

9.3

Mondavi To Kalon Wine Vertical @ Thyme Restaurant — 2 months ago

David S. Lopez

9.3

As others reviewers have said, this wine is consistently outstanding. It pours a deep purple. Wonderful flavors of berries and dried fruit. Balanced tannins and an exquisite finish. As with the other wine for my birthday, it may have overpowered my seafood pasta at Mangia Bene restaurant a little bit. But it was worth it because it was so fantastic. Great to celebrate and share this wine with our good friends, the Bailey’s and the Swanson‘s. #stagsleapdistrict #californiawines #napawine #napavalleyforever #redblendwine — 2 months ago

Jody Scharf

9.2

A cab that is meant to be on the young side for most flavor. — 8 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I used to drink this producer in the late 90’s & early 2000’s. I’ve been revisiting older vintages based on recent price points. I think they sold a bunch of their cellar for revenue. It is out of need after the Glass Fires. They were somewhat consumed by it. The winery & part of their vineyards. Unfortunate!!!

Decanted an hour and enjoyed over 2-3 hours.

I was further inspired to acquire the 2006 by @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego who posted more than respectful thoughts of the 2006 not long ago. So, I acquired some winery stored bottles at $39. A more than fair price point. The cork had a millimeter or less along its side. The bottle neck showed trapped tannins. Extremely solid.

The nose is inviting. Slightly smoky & nicely ripe; dark core of blackberries, dark cherries, poached/baked strawberries, plum, blueberries and pomegranate. Slate, gentle, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, mid & light berry cola/licorice-red vines, soft dry tobacco, used leather, very soft graphite, graceful herbaceous notes, whiff with black & white pepper, dark, rich soils, mix of limestone/sandstone, red florals/roses, dark florals and purple lily blossoms.

The entry is elegant, ripe, slightly rich with nothing bitty. Medium, softened, mushy tannins. It shows nearly perfect elegance at or just and I mean just the other side of its peak. Ripe; dark core of blackberries, dark cherries, poached/baked strawberries, plum, blueberries, raspberries and pomegranate hues. Slate, gentle, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, mid & light berry cola, soft dry, used tobacco w/ ash, used leather, graphite, herbaceous notes, stem inclusion, some black & white pepper, dark spice box with mid intensity palate heat, layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & understated vanillin, dark chocolate, caramel, steeped teas, moist to dry volcanic clays, rich, dark, almost sweet soils, mix of limestone/sandstone, red florals/roses, dark florals and purple lily blossoms, very nice acidity, evolved, well-knitted, balanced, structured, tensioned, elegant finish that lasts nearly two-minutes and long sets on spice and beautiful earthiness. This will drink nicely for another 5+ yrs.

A good revisit and perhaps the most elegant Cain Five I’ve had.

Photos of; the Cain Five vineyards, Chris Howell-Winemaker, pressed grapes and the somewhat unglamorous cleaning out of stainless steel tanks after initial fermentation. — 25 days ago

Marco Rodriguez

9.2

Love it. Had it at the Rusty Pelican in Miami trying to match seafood and steak. Dark fruit flavors of plum and cherries. Oak/vanilla hints. Well balanced wine with a long finish. — 2 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Blend of 75% Cabernet Franc, 11% Petite Verdot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petite Sirah, deep Ruby red color, purple edges, with aromas of black fruits, baking spice and cedar notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry, currants and ripe black cherry with pepper, oak, cacao and floral notes. Fine savory tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, oak and spice. — 22 days ago

KP

9.4

I would absolutely buy this one again! Especially at the $20-$25 price point.
Delicious blueberry and rhubarb pie on the nose. Silky tannins with low acidity, and a long vanilla finish with mild oak. Well balanced and very enjoyable. — 24 days ago

Adam

9.0

My review may not be beneficial to all because of my drinking style. I drink the bottle myself over the course of a week. With this Freakshow Cab Sauv, my review changed from the first to last glass. The first glass was strong, thin, and barely enjoyable. With subsequent glasses tasted a developing sweetness and thickness. I realize this is counter intuitive to wines normally being best when being allowed to breathe a bit after opening. Just wasn’t the case for me with this one. Rating was a 6.5 to start and a 9.5 at the end I’m grading with a curve to give it an overall 9. Will buy again based on Freakshow reputation and hope for a better early result. — a month ago