Double Blind Cabernet Tasting

NYC
Tasted Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - Thursday, September 2, 2010 by CdP in NYC with 450 views

Introduction

The following wines were tasted on day one and day three. Day one, double blind; day three, blind.

Flight 1 - 8/31/2010 (4 Notes)

  • 2003 Château Lusseau 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

    (8/31/2010)

    Loads of funk: animal and barnyard, cherries, blackberries, and toasted oak. Medium bodied and smooth in the mouth with some sweet spice to accompany the fruit through the medium finish.

    I guess this was the curveball in the mix as it's primarily merlot.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2004 Rustenberg Cabernet Sauvignon Peter Barlow 89 Points

    South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

    (8/31/2010)

    The nose doesn't really have much going on - a faint hint of cherry cotton candy. This is very sweet and candied in the mouth, full bodied with loads of tannin and vibrant acidity. Not really my style of wine, but no doubt a great bottle, and built for the long haul. Probably better a few more years down the line.

    Drink now or hold. 89+ -JRS

    Never would have guessed Stellenbosch.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2004 W.H. Smith Cabernet Sauvignon Bronze Label 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

    (8/31/2010)

    Nose of plum, sweet raspberries and vanilla oak. Hits the palate the same, but a bit candied, with less oak. Pretty nice balance overall with good acidity cutting through a somewhat creamy mouthfeel. Medium finish. A very good wine, but not outstanding.

    Drink now. 88 -JRS

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2004 Vine Cliff Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (8/31/2010)

    Blackberry liqueur, plum, and a bit of cassis on the nose. This too is a bit too candied for my palate, but has a good enough element of savory toasty oak to bring some balance to the mix. Nicely structured, suggesting it will benefit from additional bottle time. This is clearly an excellent wine, and fans of this style of candied cabs will enjoy; but it's not really my cup of tea.

    Drink now or hold. 88+ -JRS

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Flight 2 - 9/2/2010 (3 Notes)

  • 2004 Rustenberg Cabernet Sauvignon Peter Barlow 91 Points

    South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

    (9/2/2010)

    Update: 50% filled, fully recorked, and cracked back open on day three. A different wine than last time, slightly more nuanced, with additional flavors of sundried tomato and bell pepper poking through the sweet cherry and blackberry. This herbaceousness is a welcome addition as it cuts through some of the overly sweetened, candied aspect of the wine. My score has changed, but my original opinion of this wine stands: while very drinkable now, another few years in the bottle are necessary for it to fully shine.

    Drink now or hold. 91+ -JRS

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2004 W.H. Smith Cabernet Sauvignon Bronze Label 86 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

    (9/2/2010)

    Update: 50% filled, fully recorked, and cracked back open on day three. This had totally fallen apart and oxidized. Doesn't have the structure to go for the long run. Good enough wine on opening. However, many who purchase this wine b/c it's a "Howell Mountain" will be disappointed. I'll have to bump this down a few points. Certainly not a wise purchase at its price point.

    Drink now. 86 -JRS

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2004 Vine Cliff Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (9/2/2010)

    Update: 50% filled, fully recorked, and cracked back open on day three: what a difference. This wine is now loaded. Full bodied and bordering on lush, the candiedness has subsided and we're left with gorgeously pure fruit, balanced with savory oak and some vanilla tones. Full and dense on the palate finishing long and sweet. Great juice; this is really showing its higher pedigree over the Piedra Hill.

    I'd bump my rating up to 91 based on this tasting. Drink now with a long decant. 91 -JRS

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

×
×