Informal tasting of Older California Wines

Tasted Thursday, April 21, 2011 by dsimmons with 475 views

Introduction

Several friends and wives gathered for an informal tasting of some older California Wines. Accompanied by light horderves.

Flight 1 (4 Notes)

  • 1977 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    When this wine was opened and poured my first reaction was this baby is over the hill. The wine was very brown and "thin looking". What pleasant surprise when I took the first sip. the wine was excellent. Amazing for a 34 year old bottle. There was plenty of fruit remaining the the wine was well balanced. Of course all of the tannin was gone and I am certain that this would have been much better 10 years ago but all in all a very nice wine and a pleasant surprise!

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  • 1987 Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    This is the second of three of these purchased at auction. This wine was popped and poured. It had the nose and flavor profile of a an older cab that is a little tired. Even so it was a pleasant drink. Again, I believe that this wine would have been better 10 years ago.

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  • 1997 Beringer Vineyards Merlot Bancroft Ranch 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

    This wine was popped and poured which was a mistake. Upon opening the wine was pretty tight. The last sip was absolutely the best. Recommend a two hour decant on this. Once this wine opened up there was beautiful fruit and soft tannin. I think if more CA merlot were made like this one the grape would not have fallen so far out of favor.

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  • 2001 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 95 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    This bottle was opened and double decanted one hour before drinking. Two to three hours would have been better. This was my WOTN. Very expressive nose of berry fruit , cherry, and leather. The flavors are complex and balanced with cherry fruit, spice. chocolate and soft tannins. I bought several of these a few years ago and will look for more. This wine has at least 5-10 more years ahead of it.

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