EMH Black Cat Cabernet Sauvignon Vertical, 2003-2011

It all started because I could not decide whether 2008 or 2009 should be opened first. When I called a friend, it turned out he had a similar problem just with the 2006 and 2007. From that point on, the way to a vertical was pretty much set. As more people joined, it became easier to extended the vertical and make it a wonderful night and a great learning experience. Thank you all!

So, we gathered on a Saturday night in a non disclosed location at the midst of Greenwich Village to reach some conclusions. Ten people, fifteen bottles, and three course meal. Let the wine go on the stage :-)

• 2003 EMH Cabernet Sauvignon Black Cat 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  First thing- very interesting nose, feels the fresh and pepper(ish) background. More of the chocolate and a bit less of the rose/berries on the palate. Nice oak on the background. For me, it was a very nice long finish (medium long finish). Can be easily drank for five or six more years. maybe more in proper storage. But, why wait?
  
  My WOTF, three votes for WOTF. (flight postscript to follow). 93 at tasting in the flight. 93-4 later in the evening.

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

• 2004 EMH Cabernet Sauvignon Black Cat 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This one was learning experience in decanting.
  On my initial notes- mature, nice finish, very lively. More fruit on the palate than the '03, less of the chocolate and minerals (which the '03 impressed me with). I was pretty certain that the lady would vote for this one but we weren't able to test it (see below)
  
  Audience response to this one was WOW. Seven votes for WOTF. I did not say it was not, I said initially it was close to the '03 but the '03 was more impressive. I changed my mind later--
  
  Post script: I meant to test it again at home late tonight [but the late 'draggers' and I have tried it again and again at NS until it was over. ]
  The '04 opened up over the course of the evening and became a real WOW wine for me as well. All in, with longer finish, and the secondary tasting and minerals did open up. By the end of the evening, it was a brand new wine for me (I could have called it '04 special selection).
  
  Vote at flight: 92. Vote later: 94. Well done, Merrill! If only I had a bottle of this one.

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

• 2005 EMH Cabernet Sauvignon Black Cat 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  It was very nice, but along with the black cat '03 and '04 on the same flight, it simply did not stand a chance. The nose did develop more as I got back to it later in the evening. But, I would say it this one is much stronger on the fruits compared with the '03/'04. I was waiting for those mineral tastes to develop but they showed up later in the evening. I guess more decanting for this one is necessary.
  
  89-90 at 'flight' 90-91 later in the evening. I plan to drink it again in the future, and hopefully decant it more. I think this one has long life ahead. But compared with the other wines in the flight, it is not standing a fair chance.

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

• 2006 EMH Cabernet Sauvignon Black Cat 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  From my scribe notes "WOW. Good juice! very open spices, well rounded, balanced fruit and oak. Great as a stand alone wine (with the dinner, the '08 gave it's central stage show). I agree with previous tasters that the black raspberry and currant are nicely balanced and noted on the palate. The floral and the nose on this one are just wow. And it kept developing. I would agree with Merrill's initial recommendation. Decant, 2 hours or more.
  It is clearly more structure than it was based on previous notes on CT (going back to 2012-13). Drinks wonderfully now.
  
  93 in the flight, 93+ later.
  
  Four votes for WOTF, tie with the 2008 (only tie in the evening)

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

• 2007 EMH Cabernet Sauvignon Black Cat 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This 'flight' got harder. I liked this one alot on opening. Maybe the best initial nose. The vanilla taste was more notable than the '06 and '08 aside. Works very well with the food or stand alone. It does show the spices (herbs) and minerals, but compared to the 'blossom' of the '08 and '06 it was hard. It could have been a star on its one. I would certainly try getting one again to try with a meal. IMHO, it just keeps maturing.
  
  91-2 at flight, 92-3 later in the evening

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

• 2008 EMH Cabernet Sauvignon Black Cat 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Consistent with my previous tasting: dark ink colored, medium to long legs. Lots of berries (the early decanting helped alot) . The casis on the nose and taste was even better this time. Nice medium-long finish not one that leaves you with a 'heavy' or tiring feeling. A bit on the sweeter side. (93 so far)
  With the food (medium rare lamb) it became a true WOW wine. A class above. (94)
  
  Got four votes for WOTF (tie with the '06). If I could, I would have voted '06 as a stand alone and the '08 as the wine of the entree.

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

• 2009 EMH Cabernet Sauvignon Black Cat 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Consistent with my previous notes, but I will add. We decanting the wine at 4:30pm and first tasted around 8:00pm or so. First thing I noted was the nose with cab fruits, little oak, and the and earthy joyful smell. It was even better than I remembered (after the dinner, a waiter talked to me and mentioned she decanted it for us and her initial note on opening it was- Wow! this is a wine that smells wonderful!) . Great balance on the palate and finishing. I was holding my opinion that it is a legitimate candidate for CA cab of the year, until I had the '09 special :D
  (93-94)
  This one was the WOTF (Five votes).

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

• 2010 EMH Cabernet Sauvignon Black Cat 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I'd have to get back to the details later here.
  [during tasting, I took a little break to 'reset' and came back to the '10 and '11 ]
  From my notes: Cherry and blueberry are relatively strong for me. Nice hints of the vanilla (but weaker than I expected). More fruity than others. The earthy taste is more secondary at this time.
  
  It is a consistent EMH classic taste. It was interesting to see a clear classic 'pattern' from the '03 to the '11
  Overall, this one is still young and would enjoy more time cellaring. Opened up over the evening, but I did not come back for a detailed second tasting.
  
  Three votes for WOTF (along with '09-'10-'11). Second place.
  
  (91-2 with very positive prospect. I will wait a year, maybe two before trying it again)

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

• 2011 EMH Cabernet Sauvignon Black Cat 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I'd come back with more detailed notes later.
  Two votes for WOTF. It develops well, but will need more time. I am curious if anyone tasted it the following day. I think the overnight decant would be great for this one.

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

• NV EMH Cabernet Sauvignon Little Black 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Served as a "stand alone" flight. Very interesting, but still feels 'young'. Very nice fruit and the nose evolves. I think I'd revisit this one for a stand alone light meal.

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

• 2009 EMH Cabernet Sauvignon Black Cat 10th Anniversary Special Selection 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Ever wondered what makes a special selection special? drink the '09, a wow wine of its own, and drink the '09 special selection, a WOW WINE.
  Everything that you get from the '09 you get higher, better and more structured from the '09 special. And it is hard to believe you can get better than the '09. It has long life prospect, and keeps developing in the glass. A wonderful learning experience, and I wish I can get more.
  
  WOTF with six votes. For me, a legitimate candidate for the CA cab of the year.
  
  Postscript testing- The lady had the '09 and '09 special selection blind. She picked the special twice.

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

• 2010 EMH Cabernet Sauvignon Black Cat Special Selection 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  More details will follow. it is special indeed. Nice balance of the blackberry, and blue/raspberry. The chocolate notes were minor for me, but I was already after 13-14 tastes. I was surprised to feel the coffee taste in the background (then I went to the initial producer's notes and was not as surprised :) )
  
  Won't rush drinking those, but if you do- decanting would be rewarded
  
  Wonderful wine, with long prospect ahead. But, near the '09 special selection it had a none fair fight. Yet, it received two votes for WOTF.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

• 2011 EMH Cabernet Sauvignon Black Cat Special Selection 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Another wonderful special on the specials flight, but I do not have too many details. Would go through my notes later.

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

The overall votes were
Flight 1- Three for '03, seven for '04 (I voted '03 but at the end of the evening- once the '04 evolved, I would have voted '04)
Flight 2- four for '06, two for '07, and four for '08 (tie)
Flight 3- five for '09, three for '10, and two for '11
Flight 4- great NV :)
Flight 5- six for '09 special selection, two for '10 special selection, two abstains.

That said, the important lessons for me were that the EMH Cabs have a clear 'signature' line that goes across all the vintages, and that each of them can be a 'star' of the show on its own (and that I have now to go and see if I can find some '09 special)