95
points
Lail 2006 J. Daniel Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
-
$125
Lush, rich, beguiling now. Tastes fat and unctuous, like a Pomerol despite being made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, offering a creamy wealth of cherries, currants, chocolate, anise, herbs, spices and smoky oak. For all the flamboyance, it’s bone dry, with classically solid Napa tannins, courtesy of fruit from Oakville and Howell Mountain. Should develop in the…
— S.H.
(4/1/2010)
94
points
Lail 2004 J. Daniel Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
-
$110
This is what people who pay a hundred bucks for a Napa Cab expect. Soft, ripe and enormously attractive, it seduces the palate with gooey red and black currant, cherry, blueberry, melted Swiss chocolate, anise and cedar flavors that just pile up and up and go on and on. The tannins, needless to say, are the finest money can buy. It’s impossible not to be impressed…
— S.H.
(8/1/2007)
93
points
Lail 1998 J. Daniel Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
-
$75
Among the better ’98s, this wine’s vineyard pedigree shows in the polished fruit and supple tannins, the result of great terroir. The aromas suggest black cherries and blackberries with intense oaky, smoky tones. Particularly notable for the soft, lush mouthfeel, like sipping pure velvet. If the wine were more concentrated it would be classic.
— S.H.
(6/1/2002)
93
points
Lail 2002 Blueprint Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
-
$45
Dominated by Merlot, this is a soft wine with cherry, blueberry and blackberry flavors. There’s an earthiness that keeps it from being a fruit bomb, as well as a sweetness from oak, that will delight chefs figuring out how to prepare duck or lamb. Very dry and complex, with a lingering finish, it is delicious now, and should hold for five years.
— S.H.
(11/1/2005)
93
points
Lail 1997 J. Daniel Cuvée Red (Napa Valley)
-
$75
The complex nose, with its herb, tobacco, black-pepper and licorice elements, announces this stylish 64% Cabernet-36% Merlot blend. In the mouth it is big and ripe, with blackberry and licorice flavors, and fine acidity. Closes long and brisk, with large tannins and espresso and cherry flavors. Cellar for five or more years.
— W.E.
(11/1/2000)