California Cabernets

A range of California cabernets with some age on them. For someone like me who drinks claret a lot and these seldom, they were strikingly similar - powerful, blackcurrant fruit, long and deep, but with not much nuance. The Monte Bellos stood out by being fresher and earthier.

• 2000 Pol Roger Champagne Brut Rosé

  France, Champagne

  A dramatic deep gold, but on the palate it was, shall we say, elusive. A vague sense of rose petal perhaps.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2001 Joseph Phelps Insignia 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Ripe, minty nose. Intense. A medicinal tone and a bit of spice. Restrained power and soft grip. Ultimately the most satisfying of this first flight, with its penetrating nose.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2006 Dominus Estate 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Smooth, shy, grippy. Plenty there, but not expressing itself fully.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2003 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Big, smooth, quite sweet. Delicious, but simple.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1993 Ridge Monte Bello 92 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  Lovely balance - resolved, leaner and fresher than any of the first flight.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1996 Ridge Monte Bello 93 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  Earthy. Lovely blackcurrant fruit shows through and the combination works.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1998 Ridge Monte Bello 91 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  Darker in colour than the 93 and 96, but lighter, a bit fresher, but less to it, and it's grippy.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1991 Ridge Monte Bello 94 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  This had a touch more precision and balance than the other Monte Bellos, less of earth, more of the spice, and that firm grand blackcurrant spine.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1992 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  After the Monte Bellos, this was hard to access - fuller, smoother, denser, but less expressive.

  Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1991 Dominus Estate Napanook Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Milky texture, tannic, serious, but not expressive tonight.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1978 Fonseca Porto Guimaraens Vintage

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Sweet, soft and figgy

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue