Guys Night - Bordeaux vs Napa

Jason's House
Tasted Saturday, April 7, 2018 by galewskj with 340 views

Introduction

9 of us gathered to do a smackdown of sorts, pitting Bordeaux against Napa. Bordeaux managed to win, although there were some excellent Napa cabs. My WOTN was 1994 Joseph Phelps Insignia. But really, 5 wines won tonight, as they were spectular.

Flight 1 (4 Notes)

Flight 2 (8 Notes)

  • 1984 Dominus Estate 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    1 hr decant. Wow, talk about bottle variation from the previous one 2 years ago. This is completely in the zone right now. Like all Dominus, it is a bit dark and brooding. Scorched earth, saddle leather, a bit of funk. It was quite smoky.

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  • 1985 Château Cos d'Estournel 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    1 hour decant. This wine had mixed opinions as to how good it is. I thought it was a great old Bordeaux, soft integrated tannins, harmonious palate. There is the typical funk, cedar box, earth, red fruit.

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  • 1990 Dalla Valle Maya

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    I am not inputting a score, but it would be 88 or lower for sure. I was so looking forward to this wine. We all agreed, and were confused, as to how they were making such modern fruity alcoholic wines in 1990 in Napa. It tastes like it was made by TRB. Reading the wineries tasting note, it's spot on: smoky cassis, chocolate, and licorice. Some red fruit was present, followed by a lot of alcohol. I hope this was an off bottle.

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  • 1990 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    1 hour decant. As good as this was, it was not as good as other bottles that I've had. Some people at the table agreed, while others felt it was as good or better than their expectation. Anyway, a great Bordeaux for sure, and in a great drinking window.

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  • 1994 Joseph Phelps Insignia 95 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Decanted 2 hours. Fantastic cabernet. Better than a bottle we had 2 years ago, brought by the same guy. There is still a lot of fruit here along with spice, tobacco, and nice acidity. Incredibly balanced, slightly fruit-forward. I can't see anyone not liking this if they drink red wine. This is a rockstar wine.

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  • 1995 Château Cos d'Estournel 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    Decanted an hour, this was good but not great. It is bordering on classic Bordeaux, but feels like it needs another 5 years to unfurl and get some more secondary qualities.

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  • 2000 Château Smith Haut Lafitte 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    Decanted for 2-3 hours. It seems too big and too young. Unless you like a fair amount of tannin and big fruit, I would hold.

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  • 2012 Altamura Cabernet Sauvignon

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    At a great tasting, this was the only wine that almost everyone dumped. This wine is too young to drink right now. But if you do choose to bring it to a tasting, DECANT IT. As a pop and pour, it is downright unpleasant to drink. Unscored

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Flight 3 (1 Note)

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