Cabernet Sauvignon at C's

C had invited for Cabernet Sauvignon themed dinner at his place. A very nice evening and an interesting demonstration of the different styles this grape variety produces in Bordeaux, California, Chile, Italy and Australia. Came straight from the airport and was 1.5h too late so could not spend as much time with the wines as I would like to have had, and the notes are therefore rather short

• 2001 Henry's Drive Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 88 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Padthaway

  Sweet smooth fruit and vanilla. While pleasant, the wine lacks structure and did not show too well against the other wines that evening.

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• 2011 Seña 92 Points

  Chile, Aconcagua Valley

  Young and oaky. Nice, sinewy palate with somewhat sweet dark fruit. Nothing overripe or over-the-top here. Impressive medium plus finish. Needs several more years in bottle but best wine in the first flight and easily the best wine from Chile I have had. 92+

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• 2005 Château Malartic-Lagravière 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  Tightly wound and rather closed. Dark fruit and earth, medium plus tannins. Medium finish. Easy to identify as a (young) Bordeaux in the first flight. Give it another 3-4 years. 91+

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• 2005 Opus One 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Only had a small sip of what was left in the bottle. Luckily not much sediment here. Dark, sweet fruit, very generous and for me typically Californian. Medium finish. 92+?

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• 2010 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 93 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Sassicaia

  Earthy and herbal on the palate. A fair bit of oak but already quite integrated by the still generous fruit. Medium plus finish. Young but nice. 93+

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• 2003 Château Montrose

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

  Again tried to have a sip from what was left in the bottle but this wine has a fair bit of sediment so could not really make a fair assessment. Did not seem overripe or overly big despite the vintage. NR

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• 2008 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor 89 Points

  Chile, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto

  Dark, overripe fruit. Some oak, medium tannins. Short to medium finish. This was the wine I liked least of the 12.

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• 2000 Château Pape Clément 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  Second time I have had this wine, and this time blind. Nice, smooth and creamy on the palate. Some coffee with well integrated tannins. Very nice but was thinking California and seemed a bit one dimensional. Might need a few more years to develop more complexity.

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• 2011 Cullen Wines Diana Madeline 92 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  Smooth, creamy palate with dark fruit and some green notes. Impressive medium+ finish. This is drinking very well for how young it is. Was torn between this and the 2000 Pape Clement for the wine of the flight. 92+

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• 1996 Château Latour Grand Vin

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Complex on the nose and attack with barnyard, salty minerality and dark fruit. A touch of green as well. Medium plus tannins which cover the finish. This is very good, but for me needs 5-10 years more in bottle for the tannins to soften. Hard to rate properly.

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• 1999 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  Herbs, spices and earth. Some oak. Good structure balancing the fruit nicely, later revealed almost 15% alcohol not noticeable, medium tannins, medium + finish. Would give it another year or two for the oak to integrate further. 93+

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• 1998 Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 707 93 Points

  Australia, South Australia

  Again spices and herbs. Dark fruit however a touch of oxidization. Tannins resolved. Impressive long finish. 93. Drink now without long decant.

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Thank you very much C for this excellent line up of wines and a very nice evening!