One of my first purchases from Wilbur's wine and Spirits of Ft Collins. I was an employee there. Dennis Dinsmore opened a 1974 Chapallet magnum for Thanksgiving and I couldn't believe how good a 30 year old Napa Cabernet could be. My patience with this bottle has paid off.
Color. Dark garnet red.
Nose. Sweet red cherries, kirsch, rhubarb leaves, mascara, red cedar, violets.
Palate. A little thin in texture. Call it medium-light bodied. The tannins are still here and in force. Could it have gone further??? Red fruits dominate with a back drop off cocoa powder.
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Now 20-years-old, this deep red/garnet wine continues to age with grace. From a pristinely-cellared bottle that was decanted and serially tasted over the ensuing four hours (two being necessary for full expression on the nose and palate), it teems with dark plums, blackberries, baking spices, bittersweet chocolate, licorice and pipe tobacco. Full-bodied, low-to-medium in acidity, seamlessly alcoholic (14.5%) and with well-woven oak, its mountain tannins have further softened since last being sampled 3/25/2018. Dense on the mid-palate and lengthy on the back end, this is an outstanding Cabernet that has plenty of stuffing to again shift the projected drinking window. Comparably cellared bottles should provide pleasure for at least another 5-6 years. Drink now-2027.
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Deep, dark fruit and earthy notes, entering maturity. Tastes like a mountain wine. Could use more acidity for better balance. Still some light tannin and a hint of bitterness but in a very good place. Excellent cabernet that has improved and matured since my last note
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Dark and dense with deep berry and chocolate flavors. Opened 2 hours ahead with 60 minute decant. Steadily opened and softened. Well made. Alcohol easily masked by the fruit. Holding well.
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From a pristinely-cellared bottle, this 17-year-old wine is fleshing out beautifully. Deep red/garnet in color, it is immediately expressive of dark plum fruit, baking spices, cocoa, licorice and pipe tobacco. Full-bodied, seamlessly alcoholic and with low-to-medium acidity, it still has substantial tannic grip, but those same tannins have softened during the past couple of years and are unlikely to outlive the fruit. Dense on the mid-palate and long on the finish, this is an outstanding Cabernet that will last longer than previously projected. Drink now-2025.
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6/25/2022 - RichardsEric1 Likes this wine: 91 Points
One of my first purchases from Wilbur's wine and Spirits of Ft Collins. I was an employee there. Dennis Dinsmore opened a 1974 Chapallet magnum for Thanksgiving and I couldn't believe how good a 30 year old Napa Cabernet could be. My patience with this bottle has paid off.
Color. Dark garnet red.
Nose. Sweet red cherries, kirsch, rhubarb leaves, mascara, red cedar, violets.
Palate. A little thin in texture. Call it medium-light bodied. The tannins are still here and in force. Could it have gone further??? Red fruits dominate with a back drop off cocoa powder.
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3/6/2021 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 94 Points
Now 20-years-old, this deep red/garnet wine continues to age with grace. From a pristinely-cellared bottle that was decanted and serially tasted over the ensuing four hours (two being necessary for full expression on the nose and palate), it teems with dark plums, blackberries, baking spices, bittersweet chocolate, licorice and pipe tobacco. Full-bodied, low-to-medium in acidity, seamlessly alcoholic (14.5%) and with well-woven oak, its mountain tannins have further softened since last being sampled 3/25/2018. Dense on the mid-palate and lengthy on the back end, this is an outstanding Cabernet that has plenty of stuffing to again shift the projected drinking window. Comparably cellared bottles should provide pleasure for at least another 5-6 years. Drink now-2027.
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5/5/2019 - davergny Likes this wine: 92 Points
Deep, dark fruit and earthy notes, entering maturity. Tastes like a mountain wine. Could use more acidity for better balance. Still some light tannin and a hint of bitterness but in a very good place. Excellent cabernet that has improved and matured since my last note
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5/5/2018 - aChave wrote: 91 Points
Dark and dense with deep berry and chocolate flavors. Opened 2 hours ahead with 60 minute decant. Steadily opened and softened. Well made. Alcohol easily masked by the fruit. Holding well.
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3/25/2018 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 94 Points
From a pristinely-cellared bottle, this 17-year-old wine is fleshing out beautifully. Deep red/garnet in color, it is immediately expressive of dark plum fruit, baking spices, cocoa, licorice and pipe tobacco. Full-bodied, seamlessly alcoholic and with low-to-medium acidity, it still has substantial tannic grip, but those same tannins have softened during the past couple of years and are unlikely to outlive the fruit. Dense on the mid-palate and long on the finish, this is an outstanding Cabernet that will last longer than previously projected. Drink now-2025.
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