January 7, 2023 - 4 hour slo-ox, decanted off sediment. Bricking with pale red/brown color. Nose initially funky which blew off in a matter of minutes. Beautiful wine emerged and continued to expand with aeration. Muted fruit, resolved tannins, wonderful secondary and teriary notes. Spices, mild eucalypytus, oak, cigar, leather, all light and sophisticated, swirling in the glass. Also put on weight in the glass. As good and surpising an older Calicab as I have ever had. Comparison with Macdonald 2014. Both exteremely great wines. Time to drink up, if you have any.
December 25, 2022 - This bottle the best I've had of this wine. Probably the best California I've had from the 70s. Thoroughly dominated the 75 L'Evangile served contemporaneously this evening..Fully mature. Bricked. A bit barnyardy on the nose. But after 1-2 hours in decanter opens up beautifully. Tomato, orange rind, brown sugar, coffee among the kaleidoscope of tertiary flavors on the palate. Perfectly complemented the prime rib, homemade cranberry sauce, roast carrots and parsnips, and tomato-cucumber salad. As good as it gets for old Napa.
October 25, 2022 - n/a
May 29, 2022 - Heavy on the tea, earth, tobacco notes. Fruit has faded quite a bit. Enjoyable, but zero upside so happy to drink my last bottle.
December 22, 2021 - No formal notes as was taken on vacation
Color was murky and extensive bricking noted - significant concern in my mind on pouring despite a semi decent decanting
Aromas were quite profound - strong red/black currants with underlying Asian spices/ tobacco/ dried herbs and still with these wonderful and beautifully integrated oak notes - quite Bordeaux like
Palate was equally alive and really remains fruit driven - yes the secondary/ tertiary qualities are there, but the red/ black fruits here are still driving this wine
Wonderful silky tannins which are perfectly integrated at this point - lengthy finish as well
Just about as awesome an aged Calif Cab as Ive ever had the opportunity to taste and prob the oldest
Just can't imagine this improving but that palate is still so young
Oh yeah and $18.50 on the label
November 12, 2021 - Over the hill.
September 4, 2021 - Still drinking beautifully. Soft, round and exquisitely perfumed old California cab.
July 10, 2020 - Drinking pretty well. This was direct from winery. Tastes very much like an old Bordeaux. Not quite as fresh as I'd have hoped (esp when considering price), but it's god the good secondary characteristics (maybe tertiary at this point). Time to drink up.
September 29, 2019 - Enjoyed at Press in Napa. Fruit forward. Lots of bricking. Very nice wine.
September 3, 2019 - Another good bottle of this. Slow ox for ninety minutes. At first this has a bit of a musty, earthy nose but overtime it develops more floral and fruit character showing greater class. The palate is just lovely. The fruit and the acid are in harmony showing flavors of strawberry, black tea and tobacco. This was delicious and a great partner with the food of the night. Drink up though because I think it fades from here.