Beat the '91 Heitz

Tasted Friday, March 24, 2023 by melvinyeowq with 161 views

Introduction

Glad to have ticked off a few bucket list wines - 90s and older new-world wines are always a treat. We randomised the order and l was rather worried after the first three wines but glad things got better! Just left with old Dunn, Togni and Montelena now.

Flight 1 (9 Notes)

  • NV David Leclapart Champagne Premier Cru L'Artiste Blanc de Blancs Pas Dosé Trépail 90 Points

    France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

    Disgorged in 2006. Quite oxidative, rich with some honey notes. This reminded me of the 96 Henriot that I tried previously so I went for the same ballpark of late 90s / early 2000s. Sharp acidity on the finish, his champagnes tend to be a little disjointed for me.

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  • 1999 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 80 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

    Heavily extracted with dark purple fruit, unintegrated oak with a huge dose of vanilla on the nose. Absolutely zero finesse in this wine. 8/8.

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  • 2001 Atalon Merlot Keyes Vineyard 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

    Very sweet and ripe nose but more restrained and elegant on the palate with red cherry fruit. No depth to this however. Unmistakably new world, guessed Aussie. 6/8.

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  • 1997 Greenock Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 87 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

    Strong menthol note on the nose, plummy fruit. Ripe fruit that seemed disjointed and lacked energy. Guessed Aussie Shiraz from mid-90s. 7/8.

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  • 1997 Dominus Estate 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Nose was slightly off-putting, was a brett bomb that thankfully blew off with air. Not the cleanest wine but had that old-school character in spades. Classic and restrained, thought this was the Heitz which wasn’t a bad guess on hindsight. Others didn’t like this as much as me. 3/7.

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  • 1992 Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 707 91 Points

    Australia, South Australia

    Everyone was convinced this was the Heitz on the basis that it was their favourite but I was quite sure this was an Aussie since it reminded me a lot of the Diana Cullen that I tried previously. Lots of pyrazines and mint on the nose, sweet attractive fruit but thought it lacked a little precision and structure. Thought this was good but I didn’t like this as much as the others. Nevertheless, thankful to have tried a birth year wine. 4/8.

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  • 1999 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain

    Thought this was the ringer Bordeaux. Presented itself like a pedigreed right bank with tremendous elegance and restrained, dark red fruit. I think I enjoyed this because this had the most acid out of the wines tonight. A very complete and classically proportioned Cab in just the right spot for drinking. 1/8.

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  • 1991 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    My contribution. Very similar to the Dominus with a little mint on the nose, and more eucalyptus. Much cleaner on the palate but was rather understated so it didn’t stand out. Like this style of wine personally so I ranked it higher than the others. Drinking very well for a 1991. 2/8.

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  • 1998 Château La Conseillante 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

    I thought the Diamond Creek or this was the ringer but the somm at the restaurant nailed that this was a Bordeaux right away. Rather advanced for the age with slightly oxidised notes, given that 98 right banks should be in their prime now. Not the strongest period for the estate apparently. Some liked this but I wasn’t a fan. 5/8.

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