From a magnum. Incredibly generous nose of bright blackberry, raspberry, menthol, cedar, damp soil upon initial pour, evolving to molasses, dried leaves, brown sugar over the course of an hour.
Medium alcohol, medium body, medium+ acidity. Initially some grainy tannins but mellowed put nicely after an hour.
The wine is unbelievably fresh. Hard to believe this wine is 45 years old. Magical. It’s shows the talent of Ric Foreman.
Under good conditions this wine has the stuffing to go for another decade or more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose: blackberry, perfumed florals, leather, and loamy earth. Lively on the nose and showing younger than anticipated. Palate: vigorous berry, red cherry, sage, leather and camphor notes. The fruit is more dried fruit at this point, but it has a sweet inner mouth perfume that is so enjoyable.
This was a special acquisition from a one owner cellar, and it delivered well above the CT average here. Not fading, but certainly in a prime window for drinking
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A lovely, powerful old school Napa Cab, from the glory years. A Ric Forman wine. Lots of dusty acids, giving a sense of oak, but it wasn't - it was just a lot of great material, and dare I say Rutherford dust. From back when it was worth drinking Cal Cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
13% alcohol made by Ric Forman. The color is consistent with its age - pale red center transitioning to orange rim. The nose was varietally correct with green peppers, leafy tobacco, cassis, and some aged bottle sweetness. I was impressed by the fruit intensity of this 32 year old wine, but it was not especially complex. The tannins have gracefully melted away and the acidity is well matched with the fruit's intensity. The finish is fruit-packed with an herbal edge. Overall, this has impressive fruit for its age and is a snapshot into a bygone era of California winemaking. I feel privileged to have tried it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Purchased at KL for roughly $20. Cork was nice and clean. These must have been stored pretty well given the top half of the cork was pristine. Slow oxygenized for 3 hours or so. Lighter orange hue on the edges. Nose still has oak. Some toffee and herbs smell. Swirling it in the glass gives it some fall leave scents and some sour cherriess. Slightly green but tannins are well integrated. The problem with this wine is their is a noticable heat from the alcohol. Still a good wine, expecially at this price.
For what it's worth, I actually think the 1982 wine for $15 tastes better.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2/26/2022 - Hojun-na-Wine Likes this wine:
From a magnum. Incredibly generous nose of bright blackberry, raspberry, menthol, cedar, damp soil upon initial pour, evolving to molasses, dried leaves, brown sugar over the course of an hour.
Medium alcohol, medium body, medium+ acidity. Initially some grainy tannins but mellowed put nicely after an hour.
The wine is unbelievably fresh. Hard to believe this wine is 45 years old. Magical. It’s shows the talent of Ric Foreman.
Under good conditions this wine has the stuffing to go for another decade or more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/6/2021 - RockinCabs wrote: 92 Points
Nose: blackberry, perfumed florals, leather, and loamy earth. Lively on the nose and showing younger than anticipated. Palate: vigorous berry, red cherry, sage, leather and camphor notes. The fruit is more dried fruit at this point, but it has a sweet inner mouth perfume that is so enjoyable.
This was a special acquisition from a one owner cellar, and it delivered well above the CT average here. Not fading, but certainly in a prime window for drinking
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/20/2014 - kkazaks wrote:
From a tasting last winter. Most giving, least complex of the 77's. Sophisticated but not complex.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/20/2009 - Brad L wrote:
A lovely, powerful old school Napa Cab, from the glory years. A Ric Forman wine. Lots of dusty acids, giving a sense of oak, but it wasn't - it was just a lot of great material, and dare I say Rutherford dust. From back when it was worth drinking Cal Cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/19/2009 - Meerlust wrote: 88 Points
13% alcohol made by Ric Forman. The color is consistent with its age - pale red center transitioning to orange rim. The nose was varietally correct with green peppers, leafy tobacco, cassis, and some aged bottle sweetness. I was impressed by the fruit intensity of this 32 year old wine, but it was not especially complex. The tannins have gracefully melted away and the acidity is well matched with the fruit's intensity. The finish is fruit-packed with an herbal edge. Overall, this has impressive fruit for its age and is a snapshot into a bygone era of California winemaking. I feel privileged to have tried it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/16/2007 - DocSkinner wrote: 88 Points
cork was starting to breakdown, but wine was still very nice. Nice old cab, nothing spectacular, but great price for the age/quality combination.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/23/2006 - dcleven wrote: 90 Points
From magnum. Wonderfull sweet nose that turned herbal. Some fruit and loads of herbs in the mouth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/28/2006 - hudamang wrote: 82 Points
Purchased at KL for roughly $20. Cork was nice and clean. These must have been stored pretty well given the top half of the cork was pristine. Slow oxygenized for 3 hours or so. Lighter orange hue on the edges. Nose still has oak. Some toffee and herbs smell. Swirling it in the glass gives it some fall leave scents and some sour cherriess. Slightly green but tannins are well integrated. The problem with this wine is their is a noticable heat from the alcohol. Still a good wine, expecially at this price.
For what it's worth, I actually think the 1982 wine for $15 tastes better.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment