I am going to say that this was a bit oxidized. Slight strawberry note on opening, brown sugar and the herb and lavender signatures were all there under the oxidized patina. Unfortunately after about 40-minutes open it was seeming quite oxidative and done.
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5 Cabernet Sauvignons tasted from the 1980s. Nose of black cherry, black currants, cassis and plum, same on the palate, elegant, terrific tasting, got better and better throughout dinner that lasted for 3 hours, big body, rich fruit, good acid, flavorful and long on the finish and what an aftertaste, made you want another taste. My #1 of 5, Two second place votes and another first place vote. 1984 Caymus Estate 1985 Spottswoode 1987 Beringer Private Reserve 1987 Silver Oak Alexander Valley 1987 Chateau Montelena
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We could not resist but ordering this as we are lovers of well aged, old school Napa. Definitely this wine is past its peak but it's beautifully aged, has still a spice, liquorice undertone, the fruit is well evolved but it is there inthebackground and has a nice earthy profile. One needs to like old wines to enjoy this.91 and drink now.
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Served from a dispenser at Hedonism wines, so this might not have been 100% fresh. Pretty nice nose of ripe currants and a bit of cedar, but the palate is empty/watery most of the way down. A nice jolt of flavor on the finish is partial redemption.
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Given expectations that this would be reasonably over-the-hill, this was a real surprise. I thought it was in perfect resolution, with tannins virtually gone but fruit not flabby at all. Flavors had lots going on so it wasn't like drinking raisin juice. Definitely wouldn't wait any longer, but if properly stored, this is a treat.
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Unfortunately, well over the hill. Recent bottles that I've had have been very good, but not this one. Probably wasn't properly stored during its lifetime.
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Medium red-garnet. Very mature nose of eucalyptus, earthy ripe plum, leather, olives. Mouth feel is watery, no tannin and negligible acidity. Flavored of plum, green bell pepper and bay leaf, finishes with a dollop of mint. Drink up. Bottle #4 of four.
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A mature Cali cabernet, with good acidity, smooth tannins and a hint of fruit. It's what I hope to get with a 25 year old bottle. Still had excellent color. Time to drink though.
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Powerful notes of truffles, tapenade, eucalyptus, zingy cherries, minerals, tobacco. Noticeable tannins are almost gone and the mouthfeel is thin. Clearly on the descent, but still very intriguing.
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13.2% alcohol. From magnum. At its peak. A beautiful wine, filled with classic Napa Cabernet notes on the nose: black currant, tobacco, cedary spice, and dried flowers. On the palate, pretty fruit that isn't tired, although it is mature. A dried edge to the currant fruit, and the secondary, earthy notes on this wine are fantastic. A gentle wine in the mouth, plush and graceful, with impeccable balance. The acidity is still kicking, and the tannins have fully resolved, giving this a terrific finish. Such a treat to drink Cab that has aged so beautifully. A-
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Regular dinner group (@ JvT Mature Bordeaux.): Beautiful mature bouquet. A lot of very ripe, maybe even overripe fruits. Soft bitterness. An excellent wine. Mature but with enough power to keep it interesting.
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Tasting of four 1985 Cabernet Sauvignon, second place. Lovely rich dark red cherry fruit on the nose, more of the same on the palate, long finish, hints of tar on the finish and aftertaste after ninety minutes into the tasting. Very lovely wine, slightly passed its peak, will hold for four more years or so.
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1985 California Cab Tasting: Another very nice, impeccable wine. Extremely focused fruit with very nice hints of eucalyptus and mint. Pretty nose and long finish.
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1985 Cabernet Sauvignon vs 1985 Bordeaux (Lafayette, Ca.): Brilliant red color in the glass, lovely mint on the nose, nice, rich cabernet fruit tasted, nice briary taste, shows age, very soft, silky tannins on the long finish. My #1 tied of 7, Group #6 tied of 7.
Singer & Foy survey of 1985 Cabernets. Extremely dark ruby color. Almost a "black" ruby. Fabulous explosive bouquet of purplish, curranty fruit. Deep "black fruit" aroma. Stupendous. On the palate, it is ripe, firm, deep. Good balance. Surprisingly, it seems ready to drink. Lovely fruit, just lovely. Wow! A start of the tasting. Great to drink now. 5-12-17-8: 92/100.
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11/15/2023 - RockinCabs wrote: flawed
I am going to say that this was a bit oxidized. Slight strawberry note on opening, brown sugar and the herb and lavender signatures were all there under the oxidized patina. Unfortunately after about 40-minutes open it was seeming quite oxidative and done.
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5/8/2022 - Wineson wrote: 88 Points
Over the hill.
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12/2/2017 - wynlvr Likes this wine: 92 Points
Well balanced with beautiful flavor.
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7/27/2016 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 97 Points
5 Cabernet Sauvignons tasted from the 1980s. Nose of black cherry, black currants, cassis and plum, same on the palate, elegant, terrific tasting, got better and better throughout dinner that lasted for 3 hours, big body, rich fruit, good acid, flavorful and long on the finish and what an aftertaste, made you want another taste. My #1 of 5, Two second place votes and another first place vote.
1984 Caymus Estate
1985 Spottswoode
1987 Beringer Private Reserve
1987 Silver Oak Alexander Valley
1987 Chateau Montelena
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3/25/2016 - DaleW wrote:
Sporting some VA, some brett, and a little TCA, no thanks
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12/25/2015 - Neil.L wrote:
Unfortunately corked. Very brown and very sour.
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12/13/2015 - Papies wrote: 91 Points
We could not resist but ordering this as we are lovers of well aged, old school Napa.
Definitely this wine is past its peak but it's beautifully aged, has still a spice, liquorice undertone, the fruit is well evolved but it is there inthebackground and has a nice earthy profile. One needs to like old wines to enjoy this.91 and drink now.
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8/16/2014 - cooberp wrote: 89 Points
Served from a dispenser at Hedonism wines, so this might not have been 100% fresh. Pretty nice nose of ripe currants and a bit of cedar, but the palate is empty/watery most of the way down. A nice jolt of flavor on the finish is partial redemption.
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7/4/2014 - levinml wrote: 93 Points
Given expectations that this would be reasonably over-the-hill, this was a real surprise. I thought it was in perfect resolution, with tannins virtually gone but fruit not flabby at all. Flavors had lots going on so it wasn't like drinking raisin juice. Definitely wouldn't wait any longer, but if properly stored, this is a treat.
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12/3/2012 - awineo Likes this wine: 91 Points
Last one. Still good, but the fruit was pretty much gone. Tasted more like an old bordeaux. Don't think I will keep Spottswoods this long again.
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2/15/2012 - BFG wrote:
Unfortunately, well over the hill. Recent bottles that I've had have been very good, but not this one. Probably wasn't properly stored during its lifetime.
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7/4/2011 - Iroyston wrote:
Already Over the hill. Vinegary.
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11/23/2010 - tooch wrote: flawed
Another cooked bottle!
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11/23/2010 - tooch wrote: flawed
Cooked.
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7/23/2010 - Hodby wrote: 87 Points
Medium red-garnet. Very mature nose of eucalyptus, earthy ripe plum, leather, olives. Mouth feel is watery, no tannin and negligible acidity. Flavored of plum, green bell pepper and bay leaf, finishes with a dollop of mint. Drink up. Bottle #4 of four.
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3/3/2010 - Forest Creek Likes this wine: 90 Points
A mature Cali cabernet, with good acidity, smooth tannins and a hint of fruit. It's what I hope to get with a 25 year old bottle. Still had excellent color. Time to drink though.
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12/29/2009 - rmalloy wrote: 92 Points
Powerful notes of truffles, tapenade, eucalyptus, zingy cherries, minerals, tobacco. Noticeable tannins are almost gone and the mouthfeel is thin. Clearly on the descent, but still very intriguing.
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12/16/2009 - gutt22 wrote:
13.2% alcohol. From magnum. At its peak. A beautiful wine, filled with classic Napa Cabernet notes on the nose: black currant, tobacco, cedary spice, and dried flowers. On the palate, pretty fruit that isn't tired, although it is mature. A dried edge to the currant fruit, and the secondary, earthy notes on this wine are fantastic. A gentle wine in the mouth, plush and graceful, with impeccable balance. The acidity is still kicking, and the tannins have fully resolved, giving this a terrific finish. Such a treat to drink Cab that has aged so beautifully. A-
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6/13/2009 - ricknat1 wrote: 87 Points
Tasted at the Acker BYOB. Massive fruit, but sweet and unstructured
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11/22/2008 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points
Regular dinner group (@ JvT Mature Bordeaux.): Beautiful mature bouquet. A lot of very ripe, maybe even overripe fruits. Soft bitterness. An excellent wine. Mature but with enough power to keep it interesting.
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3/3/2007 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 94 Points
Tasting of four 1985 Cabernet Sauvignon, second place. Lovely rich dark red cherry fruit on the nose, more of the same on the palate, long finish, hints of tar on the finish and aftertaste after ninety minutes into the tasting. Very lovely wine, slightly passed its peak, will hold for four more years or so.
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11/4/2005 - pmh wrote:
A bit over the hill
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3/4/2005 - steffenpelz wrote: 91 Points
1985 California Cab Tasting: Another very nice, impeccable wine. Extremely focused fruit with very nice hints of eucalyptus and mint. Pretty nose and long finish.
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4/18/2003 - buckeye76 wrote: 94 Points
RICH FRUIT IN THE NOSE AND FLAVOR, BLACKCURRENTS, BLACK CHERRIES AND RASPBERRIES WITH A TOUCH OF LICORICE IN THE NOSE. MEDIUM TO LONG FINISH.
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11/5/1998 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
1985 Cabernet Sauvignon vs 1985 Bordeaux (Lafayette, Ca.): Brilliant red color in the glass, lovely mint on the nose, nice, rich cabernet fruit tasted, nice briary taste, shows age, very soft, silky tannins on the long finish. My #1 tied of 7, Group #6 tied of 7.
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4/13/1991 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 92 Points
Singer & Foy survey of 1985 Cabernets. Extremely dark ruby color. Almost a "black" ruby. Fabulous explosive bouquet of purplish, curranty fruit. Deep "black fruit" aroma. Stupendous. On the palate, it is ripe, firm, deep. Good balance. Surprisingly, it seems ready to drink. Lovely fruit, just lovely. Wow! A start of the tasting. Great to drink now. 5-12-17-8: 92/100.
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10/26/1990 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 97 Points
Tasting 7 Dunns, 2 Spottswoode, and a Girard Carbernet Sauvignons. (Walnut Creek, Ca.): Tasting of 10 Cabernet Sauvignons. Showed big, rich, sweet candy fruit on the nose, in the mouth was cherry fruit, great balance, perfect finish, try in 5 years. My #2 and Group #4.
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