WCC 2005 California Cabernet Blind

My local group gathered once again in the home of brilliant local chef Andrew Plummer. The food was great. The wines were consistently good, but still too young.

Dinner started around 7:30 and ended around 10pm.

Pix and more comments on my website:

http://www.finewinegeek.com/tn/2015-04-16_WCC_2005-Cab_AndyP/

East Coast Skate Wing with Foie Gras Froth, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Spring Oyster Mushrooms & Vidalia Onion Confit, and Sauteed Kai-Lan.

• 2005 Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon Walking Tree 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

  [Double-decanted at 1pm.] Blackberry nose. Big, ripe, rich, tannic. Very young, but lots of potential. 93-95

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• 2005 Fisher Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Unity 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  [Decanted for one hour.] Another ripe nose but with some secondary aromas starting. Silky. Long finish. Drink now-2025.

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• 2005 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga

  [Decanted for 3.5 hours.] Muted woodsy, red and black fruit nose. Old world character. Some think its a Bordeaux ringer. Tight and complex. 92-??
  Day 2: Brought home one glass in the bottle. Showing more flamboyance today. Terrific wine with a great future, but didn't show well on day 1. 95 points today.

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Veal Tenderloin Medallions Saltimbocca with Sage & Gruyere Cream, Crispy Prosciutto & Roasted Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes. Shirred Quail Egg & Pernod Spinach.

• 2005 Longfellow Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  [Double-decanted at 5pm.] Big smoky black fruit and licorice nose. Tannic. Showing better with food. I would wait a few more years, but this should be really good. Group #1 WOTN.

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• 2005 Vinroc Wine Caves Cabernet Sauvignon Atlas Peak 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Atlas Peak

  [Decanted for 11 hours.] Oily nose. Rich tight. Elegant.

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• 2005 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  [Double-decanted at 7am.] Black fruit and licorice nose. Silky in the mouth. Bottle a bit warm. Group #3 WOTN.

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• 2005 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  [Decanted for 5.5 hours.] Woodsy nose. Silky, lush, long and complex. Impressive. Group #4 WOTN.

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Hudson Valley Duck: Seared Breast and Braised Leg, with Clairborne Hill Honey Shiraz Sauce, Colossal Asparagus and Roasted Fennel.

• 2005 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Right Bank 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  [Decanted for 2 hours.] Muted nose. Juicy, tart, tight, appealing, but needs more time. 92-94

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• 2005 Flora Springs Trilogy 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  [Decanted for one hour, fifteen minutes.] Flowers and red fruit nose. Long and juicy. A lovely wine that should drink well for 10 more years.

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• 2005 Peter Michael Les Pavots 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

  [Double-decanted at 5:30pm.] Red fruit nose. Thick and silky up front, but really tannic in the mouth. I hope it will soften over time. 92-94 Group #2 WOTN.

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Beef Short Rib with Unagi Glaze with Braised Sprout Leaves, Chinese Black Rice & Celeriac Silk.

• 2005 Cloud View Pritchard Hill

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  [Double-decanted at noon.] Big, red fruit and roast beef nose. Very tart in the mouth. Some nail polish. Others like it better.

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• 2005 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  [Double-decanted at 8am.] Huge, black fruit and licorice nose. Young and huge. Needs a lot of time, but the potential is obvious. 94-??

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• 2005 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

  [Double-decanted at 7am.] Minerally red fruit nose. Long, black fruit finish. Nice stuff.

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• 2005 Château Doisy-Daëne 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac

  Honey nose. Complex, delicious long. Ripe apricots and a refreshing acidity that make it follow all these young cabs really well.

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These 2005 California Cabs are all good, but too young to really show their stuff or really to differentiate them much.