It's still alive, but not for very much longer. I expected a dried out and stale, mid-grade Napa Cab but it still manages a bit of dark fruit and spice, plus some dusty old tannins. The taste profile was entirely Cocoa powder... absolutely tons of cocoa powder!
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Opened this after a flawed 1997 of the same wine. Unfortunately I could tell this one just wasn’t as good as the 1997 must have been (had it not been flawed) That said, this was drinking beautifully. Dark fruits, tobacco, graphite. Tannins still present and structured. I love these aged Cali wines—tasted like a Cali-Bdx hybrid.
MNB: Old Wines II (Jesper's): (Blind) Medium plus ruby to garnet rim. Some sediment. Dark green bell pepper pyrazines. 13.5% alcohol. Medium plus acid. Medium plus melted tannins.
Final call: Left bank Bordeaux, 1996. A pyrazinic producer like sociando mallet. Or a St Julien.
Although... it is very clean / not Bretty, which suggests New World.
Actually: 1998 Oakville Robert Mondavi Cabernet 14.5%
Analysis: Lovely! Quite classic and green. I'm digging this. Only one person guessed California.
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Once the cork was popped, it was a delightful bouquet of leather, pencil lead, and slight spice. The tannins are definitely integrated at this point and tertiary notes are taking hold. Since this is a magnum, the Oakville is still holding on, but it’s on the downward swing of its peak and will likely rapidly decline. Drink now while it’s still delightful!
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4/9/2022 - Sanlucar Likes this wine: 89 Points
It's still alive, but not for very much longer. I expected a dried out and stale, mid-grade Napa Cab but it still manages a bit of dark fruit and spice, plus some dusty old tannins. The taste profile was entirely Cocoa powder... absolutely tons of cocoa powder!
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10/26/2019 - Decanting Queen Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opened this after a flawed 1997 of the same wine. Unfortunately I could tell this one just wasn’t as good as the 1997 must have been (had it not been flawed)
That said, this was drinking beautifully. Dark fruits, tobacco, graphite. Tannins still present and structured. I love these aged Cali wines—tasted like a Cali-Bdx hybrid.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3)
2/18/2019 - RajivAyyangar wrote: 90 Points
MNB: Old Wines II (Jesper's): (Blind)
Medium plus ruby to garnet rim. Some sediment.
Dark green bell pepper pyrazines.
13.5% alcohol. Medium plus acid. Medium plus melted tannins.
Final call: Left bank Bordeaux, 1996. A pyrazinic producer like sociando mallet. Or a St Julien.
Although... it is very clean / not Bretty, which suggests New World.
Actually: 1998 Oakville Robert Mondavi Cabernet 14.5%
Analysis: Lovely! Quite classic and green. I'm digging this. Only one person guessed California.
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12/19/2018 - Republic60224 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Once the cork was popped, it was a delightful bouquet of leather, pencil lead, and slight spice. The tannins are definitely integrated at this point and tertiary notes are taking hold. Since this is a magnum, the Oakville is still holding on, but it’s on the downward swing of its peak and will likely rapidly decline. Drink now while it’s still delightful!
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5/2/2013 - RCBAROLO wrote: 93 Points
Rich opulent silky finish a winner in a tough vintage proof that Mondavi and Oakville are primo. Drank like a baby reserve or a To-Kalon
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