Various Spots in the Santa Ynez Valley
Tasted Saturday, March 27, 2021 by JonnyG with 119 views
We took advantage of a beautiful Spring day and the welcome presence of some visiting wine lovers to share a bounty of wonderful wines. The occasion was a surprise party for a local friend, but we made sure to start early, with a wonderful lunch at longstanding favorite SY Kitchen.
I will remain forever thankful for the chance to taste a Napa legend in the most idyllic of circumstances.
1969 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon 98 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
A gorgeous bottle and an emotional experience, truly ticking off one bucket list wine dream I never thought would be fulfilled. A friend generously brought this mere weeks after having stumbled into it and some other random wine treasures, thrown into a modestly upsized deal that was otherwise focused on an old Chartreuse. Nice trade! Everything apparently came from a passive basement cellar, and the estate agent had full confidence in a $500 price for a set of 12 bottles, including this rarity, the first Charles Krug made by Robert Mondavi (we didn't get to this one) and a 375 of a '67 Mouton Rothschild (then a 2nd Growth), which was unsurprisingly DOA. So be it.
Our apprehension around how the bottle would show was allayed immediately upon the extraction of the remarkably solid cork, as the aromas were easily detectable several feet away. Dark fruit, some smoke and coffee notes wafted up confidently. The wine was remarkably fresh, and showed real structure, with nearly resolved tannins discernible. It held steady in the glass for some ninety minutes, even taking on more weight with air. I can't say this was at peak, as the vibrant energy others have described was not so evident here. Just shy of perfection, TN-wise, but a solid 100 when emotion is considered. Such a remarkable treat.
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1996 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature 95 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Beautifully paired with a pristine 1969 Chappellet (and an outlier of a 2018 version). One of the last of a case I bought on release, and in many ways the best bottle. Whereas earlier samplings were delicious, fruit-forward expressions of Napa Cab., this was the first to feature well-received tertiary notes of leather and earth alongside the gentle fruit and mild herbs. Graceful and finessed, and such an instructive contrast to the more robust and fruit-driven '69 version, a remarkable juxtaposition.
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2018 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature 88 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Overwhelmingly oaky, with dominant vanilla notes. The creamy fruit came off as monolithic, though more nuance may develop with further bottle age. If this was the only wine being consumed, I am sure I could be more charitable, but it unsurprisingly stood out unfavorably when matched with its 1969 and 1996 predecessors, seemingly making this a brother from another mother, as they say.
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1981 Château La Mission Haut-Brion 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
I thought this was make an interesting pairing with the 1969 Chappellet featured at this tasting, as Galloni's effusive notes on the latter wine mentioned how it echoed LMBH, and this indeed rang true for us. My second recent tasting of this wine, and it continues to impress, with this bottle showing a bit more concentration and depth of flavor. Fully mature, with savory blue and black fruit notes, some ashy smokiness and a saddle leather. A bit clipped on the finish.
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1967 Château Mouton Rothschild Flawed
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
From a 375 recently acquired by a generous friend, knowing full well that this would be a shot in the dark at best, and indeed there was no life left whatsoever. I am grateful nonetheless.
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1986 Vieux Château Certan 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
Fully mature, with joyous Pomerol notes of currant, plum, caramel and truffles. Seamless from front to rear palate, with enough acidity to make this a fine accompaniment to truffled sliders with caramelized onions. Should hold for decades.
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