STG does 1994 Cal Cab

Thanks for Michael and Claire for hosting a terrific evening. I really enjoyed myself.

Unfortunately, it was one of those nights where many wines did not show well. I would like to retaste some of these again soon.

• 1994 Cornerstone Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beatty Ranch 85 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  This was one of the few wines to show any horse in this tasting. I also found lots of cedar and great minerality. The palate wes a let down, however. It had some smoke and very strong mint, but there was little fruit. It ended with a lot of astringency.

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• 1994 Gallo Family Vineyards / Gallo of Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Northern Sonoma 94 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Northern Sonoma

  The nose showed fresh spearmint, baked goods, smoke, and some vanilla. The palate was integrated and very fruit forward. The fruit really dominated, but I could sense the tannins lurking. It was also very New World and a touch over the top for me.

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• 1994 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon 82 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

  This wine did not do much for me. The nose showed wet peat moss, asparagus, and a strange sun dried tomato element. The palate seemed to be breaking apart. I found the fruit to be a bit diffuse, and the wine to be overall a bit watery.

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• 1994 Dominus Estate Napanook Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I have had this wine once before, and this showing was not nearly as good. It was a fine wine but it lacked greatness. The nose showed spearmint and chocolate. The palate was very lush with good balance. The fruit was balanced by the tannins, but I found little to no complexity. I was surprised when the bag was removed.

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• 1994 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 88 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I was very disappointed when the bag was removed. It was OK, but nothing like it should have been. The nose was much higher pitched from the other wines. It also showed dried grain and not much else. The palate showed chocolate, rosemary, spice, and lively tannins that really jumped out at the end. This leads to a chalky finish. The finish was passable, but the wine really lacked any front palate. Let's hope this was a bad bottle.

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• 1994 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon 98 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Wow. The nose was dark, brooding, and smokey. Each time I went back to it, it seemed to open a touch more. I would have liked an evening to spend with this wine. The palate was very sweet (it successfully walked the line of being too sweet). I also found strong spice, blackberries, and perfect balance.

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• 1994 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Let's hope that this was a bad bottle. I orginally rated it 69, but that is not fair. The bottle was certainly off; I hope :). The palate was a bit mustly and chalky. The palate was dominated by olives. It didn't seem corked at all, but where was the fruit?

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• 1994 Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon Réserve Spéciale 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  That nose was a bit reticent. I did coax out some chocolate and smoke. The palate was thick and lush. Unfortunately the tannins really leap out at the end. I am not sure there is enough fruit for this wine to continue aging.

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• 1994 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I liked this wine more than some other folks did. The nose was really reticent, but the palate had promise. The structure was very evident. There was fruit, but it was really only lurking. I am giving this a lot of credit for what it will become. 91?

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• 1994 Abreu Cabernet Sauvignon Madrona Ranch 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Eric had been guessing Abreu all night, so he had to be right eventually. :) I found the nose to be fairly simple with smoke and rosemary. The palate was very, very sweet (too sweet almost) with tastes of blueberry. Overall the wine was in good balance.

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• 1994 Harlan Estate 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  While this was a terrific wine, it was not a great showing. The one previous bottle I had was the finest American wine I have tasted. This was not up to that level. The nose was Turley zin like in it sweetness and very high pitched elements (Let's call it VA). The palate showed spicy oak and very strong tannins. The fruit really came out at the end on the huge finish. While there was plenty of fruit and tannins, I have some concerns that the tannins were a touch too green. Perhaps, this bottle just needs more time.

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• 2000 Château Malescasse 81 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

  While I didn't guess that this was Bordeaux, it did stand out a bit. The nose was very sweet with an odd salty element. The palate was very boring with only an unappetizing dairy taste sticking out. I also found it a touch hot.

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