Tasted Thursday, April 18, 2013 by AccaDacca with 399 views
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.
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.
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.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
1993 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Flawed
USA, California, Napa Valley
Esta muerto
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
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.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
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.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
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.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
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.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
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.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
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.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
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.
Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
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.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue