1985 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon

Community Tasting Notes (10) Avg Score: 92 points

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  9/29/2017 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Much more accessible than the bottle we had earlier this year. In a great window. Tastes like a 12-year old Cab at 32 years old, but with far more complex secondary characteristics. The finish brings some of the purest dark cherries I have ever tasted in a wine. Technical score: 93. Enjoyment score: 93.

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  3/5/2017 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Consistent with previous notes but perhaps entering one of its (many) slumbers now. Not as accessible as past tastings, but does not seem to be going downhill either. Has the bite (acidity) in the palate and the thickness (tannins) in the finish of a much, much younger wine. I have two more bottles and will be in no rush to drink. Who knows how long this monster will last? Technical score: 91. Enjoyment score: 92.

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  11/20/2016 - KeithAkers wrote: 93 Points

  A lazy sunday afternoon (Eric&Megan's): Nose: The nose is mature, refined, and aromatic with dill, vanilla, red cheries, red currants, cedar, tobacco, and cranberries. There is excellent depth with it showing off a lot of balance and harmony that maturity brings.
  
  Taste: Full bodied with medium acidity and medium tannins. The tannins are well resolved with dill, herbs, red cherries, cranberries, cedar, and tobacco.
  
  Overall: This was wonderful. Smith-Madrone Cabs seem to fly a little under the radar and yet they are usually lovely spring mountain cabs. It's impressive that this isn't just holding up, but it's thriving and is a picture perfect mature California Cabernet.

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  11/20/2016 - eluebchow wrote: 93 Points

  This is holding up remarkably well at 30+ years of age, with no signs of decline; On the nose, the wine has an inviting bouquet of dark red fruits, cassis, soil tones and dried herbs, which became more pronounced with additional air; The palate is still impressively concentrated, with dense black fruits, tobacco and cedar tones; This was drinking much younger than its actual age and is a true steal for whoever can still find it

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  10/17/2015 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 93 Points

  30 years old and this must be drinking at peak? Perhaps, definitely in a great window now. Decanted 3 hours ahead of a seared pork loin dinner with roasted garlic potatoes and steamed veggies. Aromatic nose of wet earth, pine needles, eucalyptus, cherry menthol, and dried herbs. The palate is juicy, square, and rugged, yet flowing with blackberries, blueberries, plums, raspberries, chocolate cherries, horse saddle, sweet tobacco, and spicy oak. The finish is lively with good bite and noticeable tannins. Unbelievable, tasted like most 10-year old cabs. Drink now, but this should go a lot longer too.

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