Guys night - Napa

Joe's house
Tasted Thursday, July 28, 2022 by galewskj with 114 views

Introduction

The theme was California cabernet and everyone brought Napa cab from great producers from 1995 to 1997. This was truly a fantastic lineup.

Flight 1 (2 Notes)

  • 2021 Keplinger Rosé Shake Ridge 89 Points

    USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County

    The space, richness and creamyness of this rose does suggest that its made from Rhone varietals. For me, this is qualitatively in the middle of the pack for rose, although I do prefer the floral provence style.

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  • 2007 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Rosé Brut 95 Points

    France, Champagne

    The color is a deep salmon. The nose is so interesting, with smells I can't even place. Good acidity on the palate, with some toast and a creamy midpalate. The finish was slightly bitter at first but it really opened up and was actually tastier at a warmer temperature, which I rarely say for champagne.

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Flight 2 (5 Notes)

  • 1996 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard 95 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    Splash decant, followed a couple small glasses over 3+ hours. There is eucalyptus and that makes the wine interesting. Tobacco, slight vegetation, tar. I can only hope that newer vintages of this show as well as these wine's from the 90's. I worry its a bygone era for napa cab. This was unanimous wine of the night, but all 5 napa cabs were in a very tight range.

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  • 1996 Abreu Cabernet Sauvignon Madrona Ranch 95 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Double decanted, followed two small glasses over 3+ hours. Fairly classic Abreu, sweet fruit, tart and tangy. There's also a bit of brooding dark fruit amidst the mostly red fruit. This opened up tremendously over the first hour.

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  • 1996 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

    Double decanted, drank 2 small glass over 3 hours. This started out liquerish like cassis. It opened up over 1 hour, showing graphite and slight iodine, yet remained very red-fruited throughout.

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  • 1995 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon 95 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Pop and pour, so this took a couple hours to resolve. What impressed me about this wine is the lively light profile while still showing its cabernet character. Red fruit and beef blood, with flowers, mint and cedar. Not naming names, but I note that this is the 3rd time I've had this wine and it was never decanted.

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  • 1997 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    See "DRINKINGWINE" for treatment. This strikes me as a slightly more modern style, although there's plenty of complexity to enjoy. There was a fair amount of vanilla oak, and the wine has a large profile. Tobacco, chocolate, coffee and earth.

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