Remarkable that a 1974 Napa Zin is still drinkable (and in fact very good!) today. So much for the conventional wisdom that zinfandels don't age. This had a nice mature fruit profile on the nose. On the palate, the fruit was still very vibrant and the wine possessed awesome structure. A real treat.
Best nose of the 4 1974 Zins we tasted tonight. Elegant (as one would expect from Ridge). Similar vibrancy of fruit as the Burgess. A bit more "old world" in style than the Burgess.
One of the best wines of the night. Really dense and saturated fruit. Loads of complexity and still a monumental wine despite its 43 years of age. 1974 Cali Cab tasting
Beautifully balanced. Great fresh fruit and good saturation. Unbelievable how well these old Clos du Vals age (the 1978s were phenomenal as well in a previous tasting). 1974 Cali Cab tasting
Hands down the wine of the night by a wide margin. This wine was made by Philip Togni and it's a master piece. Beautiful red stewed cherry fruit with some raspberries too. Awesome complexity. 1974 Cali Cab tasting
Palate fatigue starting to kick in at this point of the evening (19th wine tasted, not counting the 1975 Moet champagne to kick off the night). Many tasters found the Diamond Creek's very tannic although I did not find the tannins overwhelming. This had very nice menthol on the nose and was remarkably well preserved. Very classic cabernet. 1974 Cali Cab tasting
Slightly better than the Red Rock Terrace. Classic cabernet profile. I did not find the tannins as off-putting as others. This wine will live forever. 1974 Cali Cab tasting
Clearly a step up from the regular Napa bottling. Awesome acidity and freshness left despite its 43 years of age (and despite being the 22nd wine in the line-up tonight!). This showed very nicely! 1974 Cali Cab tasting
I would love to try this wine again on its own and not as the 23rd wine in our line up tonight. Palate fatigue had clearly settled in at this point. Nonetheless, there was no denying the beautiful complexity and majesty in this wine. The tannins were still very much present. 1974 Cali Cab tasting
Others liked this much better than I did and admittedly my palate was "overstretched" at this point of the evening. I found the wine to be a bit madeirized and past its prime. The wine has a brooding complexity with mushroom notes. 1974 Cali Cab tasting
1974 Robert Mondavi Winery Zinfandel 85 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Oxidized and mature nose. Still some nice acidity left. Short finish. Still remarkable this is alive at all
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1974 Burgess Zinfandel Napa Valley 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Remarkable that a 1974 Napa Zin is still drinkable (and in fact very good!) today. So much for the conventional wisdom that zinfandels don't age. This had a nice mature fruit profile on the nose. On the palate, the fruit was still very vibrant and the wine possessed awesome structure. A real treat.
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1974 Ridge Zinfandel Fiddletown 92 Points
USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Fiddletown
Best nose of the 4 1974 Zins we tasted tonight. Elegant (as one would expect from Ridge). Similar vibrancy of fruit as the Burgess. A bit more "old world" in style than the Burgess.
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1974 Joseph Swan Vineyards Zinfandel Sonoma County 85 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County
Mature with a bit of alcohol on the nose.
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1974 Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 89 Points
USA, California, North Coast
Most mature on the nose of this flight of 4. Similarly mature flavor profile, but not over the hill. A bit of a green note. 1974 Cali Cab Tasting.
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1974 Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County
Great raspberry nose. Beautifully elegant. 1974 Cali Cab Tasting
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1974 Raymond Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
Still has phenomenal fruit on the nose despite its 41 years of age. Nice complexity and freshness. 1974 Cali Cab Tasting
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1974 Clos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon Proprietor's Reserve 90 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
Subtle but with a nice structure. Elegant and easy drinking. 1974 Cali Cab Tasting
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1974 Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Very nice structure. Saturated fruit and a great nose of raspberries. Remarkable how well these 43 year olds drink. 1974 Cali Cab tasting
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1974 Burgess Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage Selection 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Indian spices on the nose with some maturity. Very fruity. At the edge of being over the hill but still just on the right side. 1974 Cali Cab tasting
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1974 Inglenook Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Cask A-16 92 Points
USA, California
Nice deep saturated fruit and complexity. 1974 Cali Cab tasting
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1974 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 95 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
One of the best wines of the night. Really dense and saturated fruit. Loads of complexity and still a monumental wine despite its 43 years of age. 1974 Cali Cab tasting
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1974 Souverain Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage Select 92 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
Soft and fruity. Prunes and licorice. A little green with mature notes. 1974 Cali Cab tasting.
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1974 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 94 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Beautifully balanced. Great fresh fruit and good saturation. Unbelievable how well these old Clos du Vals age (the 1978s were phenomenal as well in a previous tasting). 1974 Cali Cab tasting
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1974 Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
More mature than the others in this flight of 4. Wine started out a bit thin but then opened up. Very nice complexity. 1974 Cali Cab tasting
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1974 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon 98 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Hands down the wine of the night by a wide margin. This wine was made by Philip Togni and it's a master piece. Beautiful red stewed cherry fruit with some raspberries too. Awesome complexity. 1974 Cali Cab tasting
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1974 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain
Palate fatigue starting to kick in at this point of the evening (19th wine tasted, not counting the 1975 Moet champagne to kick off the night). Many tasters found the Diamond Creek's very tannic although I did not find the tannins overwhelming. This had very nice menthol on the nose and was remarkably well preserved. Very classic cabernet. 1974 Cali Cab tasting
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1974 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello 93 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
A very classic nose. Lovely complexity and maturity. Classic Ridge elegance with great purity and a long finish. 1974 Cali Cab tasting
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1974 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 94 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain
Slightly better than the Red Rock Terrace. Classic cabernet profile. I did not find the tannins as off-putting as others. This wine will live forever. 1974 Cali Cab tasting
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1974 Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 94 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Clearly a step up from the regular Napa bottling. Awesome acidity and freshness left despite its 43 years of age (and despite being the 22nd wine in the line-up tonight!). This showed very nicely! 1974 Cali Cab tasting
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1974 Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Mountain 93 Points
USA, California
I would love to try this wine again on its own and not as the 23rd wine in our line up tonight. Palate fatigue had clearly settled in at this point. Nonetheless, there was no denying the beautiful complexity and majesty in this wine. The tannins were still very much present. 1974 Cali Cab tasting
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1974 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
Others liked this much better than I did and admittedly my palate was "overstretched" at this point of the evening. I found the wine to be a bit madeirized and past its prime. The wine has a brooding complexity with mushroom notes. 1974 Cali Cab tasting
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