Community Tasting Note

Vintage82 wrote:

Friday, July 19, 2013 - 2 bottles consumed recently. Acquired from very good Washington DC retailer, Wide World of Wines, who also buy private cellars and have refrigerated storage with a nice back vintage collection in the basement. These 2 bottles had top shoulder fills but the labels were practically deteriorated off. A 78 was barely visible on one and the capsules were clearly Chappellet. The store owner practically gave them to me at $15 a piece, a kind gift.

The wines, the second bottle clearly superior, had old but in tact corks, fully stamped. Needed the ahso to get them out in 1 piece. Showing some lush Cali fruit, both dark and red. First bottle had more of the mushroom and forest floor but still silky and delicious.

Second bottle more delineated, some of the graphite and cigar box, but warm and inviting in a typical Cali way. Deep complete color with a thin rim of red brick. Improved with air, showed a little muscle and briefly some high toned orange elements old wine can have like saffron and dried orange peel. But still easy going, effortless Cali cab at the same time. No tannin remained and the bottles went well with Sunday morning shrimp and grits, fried chicken and veggies. Would have been delicious enough on their own. Second, best bottle showed a little heat if you were looking for it. Very enjoyable, but not profound from such a great vintage, but I was so pleased to make the unexpected find.

The second bottle I had last night I could still taste and smell this morning. So it made an imprint. Some people with old Cali wine don't know what they have. Not many people out there make em like that anymore.

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