2003 California Cabernet Horizontal

Wines were 2003 California Cabernet tasted single blind (year and varietal were known, producers were not) in 3 flights. We started with a White Burgundy and a Red Burgundy as aperitifs.
Starters were:
Dry Cured Iberico de Bellota Ham, served with fresh tomato and rustic toast
Marinated Yellotail Hamachi, Nicoise style, sorrel dressing

Paired with:
Roasted Maine Lobster with cabbage and local apples, natural coral jus.

• 2003 Peter Michael Les Pavots 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

  Decanted 1 hour, muted nose, opened up after about another hour in the glass. Tannins still evident, mid-palate fruit was a little short with a slightly hot finish. Not overly oaky, but seems to need more time in the cellar to resolve the surprisingly evident tannins.

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• 2003 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  Decanted for about an hour - very smooth initially, with chocolate notes and smooth tannins. Blackberry fruit is evident in the mididle, with chocolate notes reemerging at the finish. Great mouthfeel and no noticable heat at the finish. This wine is well-integrated and open for business.

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• 2003 Abreu Thorevilos 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This was the disappointing wine of the night - decanted 1.5 hours and tasted blind with six other 2003 Cali Cult Cabs. Wine brought a little heat and underlying green notes that blew off after about 20 minutes in the glass. Wine was still a tannic beast - the blackberry and blueberry notes were slightly overshadowed by the firm tannins and heat that was present most of the way. This definitely could use a few more years in the cellar to dissipate some of the heat and to mellow the tannins a little. The secondary characteristics were definitely there, but were overshadow by the tannins and alcohol.

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Paired with:
Artisanal Pasta and Braised Veal Sweetbread, black truffle condiment

• 2003 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 98 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Tasted blind in second flight, decanted 1.5 hours. Dark purple in the glass, the nose was sweet dark fruits and chocolate. On the palate, the wine was velevty smooth with sweet tannins and luscious fruits. Everything was balanced and in order, and the finish lasted over a minute without a trace of heat. Easily my WOTN - near perfection in a bottle.

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• 2003 Harlan Estate 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Decanted for 1.5 hours and served blind in the second flight. Dark purple in the glass, creme de cassis and blackberries with a hint of oak on the nose, this was still pretty tannic and needs more time in the cellar. Overall, still a delicious wine, with massive amounts of ripe fruit and a slightly peppery finish, with a touch of heat. This one probably gets better with more time in the decanter or more time in the cellar.

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Paired with:
Prime Beef Tenderloin Rossini, pressed butternut squash and yukons, and fois gras.

• 2003 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 97 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  Decanted 2 hours and served blind in the third flight. Intensely dark purple in the glass with creme de cassis and dark fruit aromas. Huge amount of fruit in balance with smooth tannins, with sweet oak, dark chocolate and black cherry flavors. Finish lasted over a minute and the alcohol was well-integrated with the fruit. My second favorite wine of the night, very, very close to #1.

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• 2003 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Decanted 2 hours prior to serving in flight 3 of blind tasting. Incredibly complex nose and deep purple in the glass. The aromatics were dark chocolate, creme de cassis and a slight sweetness that I can only describe as almost very slightly floral...outstanding! The tannins were still apparent but presented sweet dark fruits and smooth mouthfeel. Long finish and well-integrated fruit and alcohol meant no heat on the finish. Delicious!

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Closing courses were a cheese course and Dessert - Hazelnut Souffle with Orange Sorbet and Granite. This was paired with a 2003 Taylor Fladgate Vintage port. I did not take notes on the port since it was a long night.

Overall, a great night of wine and fine dining. My wine of the night was the 2003 Bryant Family, followed closely by the 2003 Shafer Hillside Select and the 2003 Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer To-Kalon. I was surprised that the Harlan didn't show for me as well as I would have expected in relation to other wines, and I imagine that all of them individually with a meal would have been stellar.