A standout, even at 45 years (impeccably cellared). Deep plum-purple throughout, with no bricking. Strong, cedary-briary elements in the bouquet with an undercurrent of ripe, dark fruit. Completely smooth on the palate, with all the flavors foreshadowed by the nose, still good acidity to carry the wine another ten years or so; finishes with a lengthy Napa terroir. Very satisfying to have held it this long!
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stunning 43 year old bottle of cali cab... fruit was med-plus and on the purple side, there was some vanilla and later on some umami flavor elements... slight spice but amazingly the fruit was the standout... never ever disappointed by these '78 cali cabs... best vintage in history in my view
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A serious old Napa cabernet wine. Among 10 napa wines tasted yesterday, this stood out as well as Insignia 97, but completely differently. The outer flamboyant and over fruity coat has been shading off, the serious, layered, faint but solid inner core was there unarguably. Wonderful! Its performance agrees with my opinion that napa red was made for last, too, but not as good while it's young.
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12/31/2022 - ashaley Likes this wine: 96 Points
A standout, even at 45 years (impeccably cellared). Deep plum-purple throughout, with no bricking. Strong, cedary-briary elements in the bouquet with an undercurrent of ripe, dark fruit. Completely smooth on the palate, with all the flavors foreshadowed by the nose, still good acidity to carry the wine another ten years or so; finishes with a lengthy Napa terroir. Very satisfying to have held it this long!
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11/1/2021 - WoodieBayArea wrote: 94 Points
stunning 43 year old bottle of cali cab... fruit was med-plus and on the purple side, there was some vanilla and later on some umami flavor elements... slight spice but amazingly the fruit was the standout... never ever disappointed by these '78 cali cabs... best vintage in history in my view
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4/23/2017 - onboisduvin Likes this wine: 94 Points
A serious old Napa cabernet wine. Among 10 napa wines tasted yesterday, this stood out as well as Insignia 97, but completely differently. The outer flamboyant and over fruity coat has been shading off, the serious, layered, faint but solid inner core was there unarguably. Wonderful! Its performance agrees with my opinion that napa red was made for last, too, but not as good while it's young.
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3/4/2011 - Flash Gordon wrote: 89 Points
Fruit is fading, but still nice
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11/12/2010 - indiscriminate palate wrote:
Berserkerfest very brief retrospective notes (PDH NYC): Alive and well and still holding, but … nice enough, but not too exciting; I had only a sip; noted ripe plums.
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