California Cab Night during Bachelor Week

Tasted Thursday, April 18, 2013 by AccaDacca with 399 views

Introduction

Wife and kids were away for Spring Break as I had some work obligations. Luckily work didn't interfere with having some friends over for some grill time and cabernet. I'm not the most eloquent of tasting note writers, but I thought I'd share my notes on what we drank that night. Goal was start with some older gems and make our way to some younger California expressions.

Flight 1 (10 Notes)

  • 1989 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

    Dunn has always been a favorite of mine and this did not disappoint. Beautiful deep red color, with some tobacco and dark fruit. Well balanced, long finish. Had a bottle two months ago and consistent with that note. Old school cab which I just love.

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  • 1993 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Flawed

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Esta muerto

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  • 1995 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve 87 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Decanted 2 hours. Very different experience from my prior bottles, as I was hit over the head by the overoaked stick on this one. Dont recall others so out of balance. Perhaps I'm a bit oak sensitive as others trying found this terrific. I couldnt get past the vanilla. Tannins and fruit seemed to be in balance based on others feedback.

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  • 1996 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    My first Dalla Valle and now I know what I was missing. Absolutely beautiful after a two hour decant. Dark coloring with a nose which just said come on in. A bit of earth in a full bodied fruit driven long finish. Well balanced and a long time to go.

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  • 2001 Rudd Oakville Estate Proprietary Red 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    One of my favorite wines of the last few years continues to show very well. Decanted for a bit over an hour, which helped as this still has some youth to it. Dark fruit continues to show thru along with some grippy tannins. Plenty of time to go for this. Still can find these at auction, will grab some more.

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  • 2001 Barbour Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    May sound repetitive, but my reviews from '11 and '12 still apply - smooth and balanced, medium finish with just enough grab at the finish to keep it interesting. A bit of earth in here which I enjoy, real nice with rib eye. One left, wont let too much time go by before I open it.

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  • 2002 Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Opened with a short decant. Somewhat limited nose, but a smooth, balanced Napa cab. Some fruit poking its way through, but overall a lighter bodied wine than I had imagined.

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  • 2003 Harlan Estate The Maiden 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Decanted for one hour. Tannins seemed to be the driver here, offsetting some dark fruit which was trying to show thru. Perhaps the fruit in these '03s is starting to fade a bit. Will give other bottles some time to see if tannins settle down.

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  • 2007 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    One of my first ACVs and I was impressed. Decanted one hour and what a great blend of fruit and tannins with a long finish with just enough firmness in structure. Was expecting much more oak than I noticed, so for me wine is in a nice spot now. I bet this gets better.

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  • 2008 Two Hands Cabernet Sauvignon Some Days Are Diamonds 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Probably not fair to taste vs others of the evening, but held its own. Still a bit heavy on the oak influence for me, but a nice big Cab if thats your style and certainly well worth the $20. Perhaps the oak will better integrate over time. But plenty of dark fruit and tannins to go around.

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Closing

As you can tell by my notes, I'm somewhat sensitive to oak, so while the BV Latour was not high on my list, it was one of the favorites of the night. I would say the the top 3 were the Dunn, Dalle Valle and Latour, followed closely by the Rudd and Barbour. Very enjoyable night with a great mix of wines.

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