1984 Napa Cabs/Blends

This event featured six wines from the 1984 Napa vintage. The wines were all drinkable and 4 of the 6 were fantastic examples of aged Napa Cabs from a time when elegance reigned supreme. So many of the wines were youthful and completely belying their age.

• 2007 Miner Family The Oracle 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Very dark red color. PNP, drank 1 glass over 30 minutes. This had a dusty, cedar nose with red fruits that evolve to a pure black currant character with a touch of smoke and some savory character in addition to light florals and light wood notes. The palate is balanced, medium bodied, black currant, savory, framboise, a little herbal, soft tannins and a medium finish. This was drinking quite nicely. On the softer side. 91+pts.

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• 1984 Monticello Vineyards (Corley Family) Cabernet Sauvignon Corley Reserve 88 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Medium dark red color. PNP, decanted and drank 1 glass over 2 hours. The nose starts off with stewed red fruits, which gradually fades more into the background while a strong soy character emerges with some balsamic caramel, and later a very prominent celery note. The palate is still fairly nice with tart red fruit, tart cherry, citrus, soy, and balsamic, medium finish. Past peak, but enjoyable and interesting nonetheless. Palate exceeds the nose.

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• 1984 Lakespring Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Very dark red color with 1-2mm clear margin. PNP and filtered into decanter, very heavy sediment. Drank 1 glass over 2 hours. This was in very good shape with blackberry, wood spice, blackberry liqueur, and scorched earth on the nose. The palate has medium-full body with more tannin, dark berries, black currant, elegant and balanced. This was a pleasant surprise.

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• 1984 The Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

  Dark red color with 1mm clear margin. PNP, decanted and drank 1 glass over 2 hours. Very impressive with powerful nose, cassis, funk, earth, leather, potpourri, vilets, wood spice and eventually some fresh herbs. The palate is intense, flavorful, cassis, sleek, wow, herbs, earthy, wonderful lively tannins, and a long finish. I loved this. My #3 WOTN.

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• 1984 Inglenook Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reunion Reserve Cask 85 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Very dark red color. PNP, decanted and drank 1 glass over 2 hours. Nose is dominated by stewed fruit, raisin, dry earth. The palate has some redeeming qualities though; tart, red berries, still reasonably balanced, integrated tannins, shorter-medium finish. This was drinkable and still of interest on the palate in small quantities, but the nose was a mess. Faded. Weakest of the group.

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• 1984 Daniel Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Very dark red color with a 1mm clear meniscus. PNP, decanted and drank 1 glass over over 2+ hours. Oh, this is very good. Great nose, fresh, lots of earth, dry earth, leather, mushroom, floral, lots of graphite and tobacco. The palate is youthful, vibrant, bright fruit, cassis, black raspberry, tobacco, leather, graphite, integrated oak, nice tannins and a long 60 second finish. Outstanding stuff, just a pristine bottle. #2 WOTN, 95+pts.

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• 1984 Dominus Estate 98 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Very dark red color with 1mm clear meniscus. PNP, decanted and drank 1 glass over 2.5hrs. Wow, this was spectacular, one of the best wines of the year so far. Killer nose that just blows up out of the glass, perfumed, cedar, deeply earthy, very floral, lots of saddle leather, pretty dark dark berry fruits, cassis. As great as the nose is, the palate just plain rocks, extremely elegant, finessed, but intense and lively, wow, gorgeous wine, leather, sandalwood, perfectly integrated with the silkiest tannins. But the most staggering thing is the intensity and length of the finish - easily 2-3 minutes; long, long, long. Wow. This was steady and even improving for the entire 2.5hrs. What a great bottle. Unanimous WOTN. 97+ to 98pts.

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• 1979 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Dark red color, lightly bricked margin.. PNP, decanted and drank 1 glass over an hour. Powerful nose with dominant mint/eucalyptus, eventually allowing the floral elements and fruit to emerge, blueberry, cassis. The palate is lively with eucalyptus, mint, cassis, fresh, balanced with lovely tannins and a long finish. In great shape at 35 years young. 93+ to 94pts.

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#1 WOTN was the 1984 Dominus Estate
#2 WOTN was the 1984 Daniels Estate
#3 WOTN was the 1984 Hess Mt Veeder

What a great and thoroughly enjoyable evening!!