WCC 2007 Napa Cabernet Blind

Dorato's Resturant, Guilderland, NY
Tasted Thursday, June 30, 2011 by kenv with 973 views

Introduction

My regular Albany-area group met to taste 2007 California Cabernet blind, but it turned out all the wines were from Napa.

More details and photos can be found here:

http://www.finewinegeek.com/tn/2011-06-30_WCC_2007-Cali-Cab_Doratos/

Flight 1 - Flight 1 (3 Notes)

Portabella Mushroom Stuffed with Provolone & Casino Stuffing with a Cream Sauce.

2007 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve 90 Points

USA, California, Napa Valley

[Vigorously double-decanted around 5pm. Tasted close to 8pm.] Gorgeous red fruit nose. Surprisingly acidic on the palate. Has some interesting and exotic flavors like sandalwood. Medium length. May be at an awkward stage now. 89-92 points. Day 2: Pretty much the same. Strange. I expect more from this usually outstanding wine.
Day 10: [Yes, open 9 days with just the cork stuck in the bottle.] Black cherry liqueur nose. Heady and just a touch hot in the mouth, but the finish lasts a full minute. Dark black fruit, just a hint of caramel. This could be terrific in 5-10 years. 92-95? points.

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2007 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 92 Points

USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga

[Double decanted at 2pm. Tasted at 8pm.] Black cherry nose. Tart juicy and appealing, but I expect more from this wine. 92-?? points.
Day 2: More like what I would expect. Blackberries and mild spice on the nose. Rich in the mouth. Notably thicker and silkier than yesterday. The acidity is still higher than would expect from this wine, but now balanced by more rich black fruit. 92-94 points.
Day 10: [Yes, open 9 days with just the cork stuck in the bottle.] Big smoky nose of plums and red raspberries. Silky in the mouth. A really delicious wine. Hard to say that this will be one of the great Montelenas (e.g. 78, 91, 94, 97), but it is a delicious and classic Napa Cab.

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2007 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature 94 Points

USA, California, Napa Valley

[Double decanted at 8am.] This is more what I was expecting. Richer and more full bodied than the first 2. Complex and delicious with a long tasty finish.
Day 2: Silky sweet black fruit. A really delicious wine. 94 points.

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Flight 2 - Flight 2 (3 Notes)

Osso Buco Ravioli with Caramelized Onion Demi-glace.

2007 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch 94 Points

USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

[Decanted 7am.] Black fruit nose. Big and rich with lots of tannin buried under loads of ripe fruit. A terrific complex wine. Big and ripe but with a sense of restraint. Delicious.
Day 10: [Yes, open 9 days with just the cork stuck in the bottle.] Dark, slightly dried black fruit nose. Thick rich and touch alcoholic in the mouth. 92 points.

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2007 Stewart Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 94 Points

USA, California, Napa Valley

[Double decanted at 1pm.] A stunning wine. Has a monumental quality to it. Ample black fruit. Not sure where it might go, but if you have it, give it try. Young but really special right now.

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2007 Mi Sueño Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points

USA, California, Napa Valley

[Double decanted at 8am.] More muted nose of black fruit and beef. Very tannic. Backward, but lots of ripe fruit. Great potential. 93-?? points. Group WOTN#1.

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Flight 3 - Flight 3 (Meritage) (3 Notes)

Clams Provencal in a Plum Tomato, Fresh Basil Sauce over Angel Hair Pasta. Went surprisingly well with these Cabs.

2007 Flora Springs Trilogy 95 Points

USA, California, Napa Valley

[Double decanted at 8am.] Ethereal nose. Very extracted. Loads of sweet black fruit. Great length. Very drinkable right now. WOTN so far for me, esp. in terms of drinking now.
Day 10: [Yes, open 9 days with just the cork stuck in the bottle.] Showing some signs of being open 9 days, but it is still quite a delicious wine!

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2007 Italics Winegrowers Fourteen Appellations 92 Points

USA, California, Napa Valley

[Double decanted at 8am.] Smoky red fruit nose. Rich red fruit. Big, tart, tannic. Licorice. The first wine tonight to be noticeably oaked (perhaps over-oaked).

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2007 Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon Annum 96 Points

USA, California, Napa Valley

[Double decanted at 8am.] Long minty black fruit nose. Tarry black fruit. Very serious stuff. A dark sensuous wine. Should be great in 10-20 years. 96-98 points. Group WOTN#3.

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Flight 4 - Flight 4 (2 Notes)

They called it "Filet Diane", but there was no mustard in the very tasty Cabernet Mushroom sauce. Served with Grilled Asparagus and Whipped Duchess Potatoes in Puff Pastry.

2007 Buoncristiani Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points

USA, California, Napa Valley

[Double decanted at 8am.] Muted black fruit nose. Extracted. A touch hot now. Tannic and backward. I don't think it is at a good stage, but definitely has potential. 93-?? points.
Day 10: [Yes, open 9 days with just the cork stuck in the bottle.] A hot alcoholic mess by now.

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2007 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard 96 Points

USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

[Double decanted at 2pm.] Dark black fruit. Smooth as silk covering a mountain of a wine. Huge and tannic under a layer of delicious smooth fruit. Group WOTN#2.

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