Chez Garard older Zinfandels and Cali Cabs

We were planning on a very large scal dbl mag party celebrating the year we were married. COVID delayed the party and construction this year postponed it till 2023. So we invited a few friends over for a single blind tasting of ‘13 or Oder Zinfandels and then for a steak dinner Cali Cabs older than 15 years. No one held back on their selections and we had a wonderful evening of wine, food and company.

Our daughter in laws birth year and a great night to pop a magnum. Cheese and crackers

• 1988 Pol Roger Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 95 Points

  France, Champagne

  Out of magnum, darker color, which was showing its age. On the palate, the wine had some zip, citrus, a bit of bread and yeast, and showing good age. A friend mentioned supper acidification year and tart. Mellowed quite nicely. Great way to start off the night.

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Prepared a Wolfgang Chino salad with lobster and caviar.

• 2009 Bouchard Père et Fils Corton-Charlemagne Domaine 95 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

  Incredible intensity right out of the glass. Splash decant. Super, crisp on the palate with a great lingering finish. Hold 3-5 years, drink or buy?

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Single blind tasting.

• 2010 Chateau Montelena Zinfandel The Montelena Estate 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga

  Deep color. Initial palate taste was a bit watery. Then the density came in and the wine sang. However, I rated it early #5 and grp #1.

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• 2012 Robert Biale Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Moon Mountain District

  Brilliant color for its age. Tasty and good fruit. A real delight in a flight of Zin’s. My #1 and Grp #2.

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• 2013 Turley Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  Really nice color and as they sat in the glass all these wines really performed. My #2 and the group #3. Buy/drink to enjoy.

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• 1996 Grgić Vina Plavac Mali 92 Points

  Croatia, Dalmatia, Srednja i južna Dalmacija, Pelješac

  This was a ringer in the flight of Zinfandels. An original and stood up very well. My #6 and the grp #4. Drink for its history.

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• 2001 Williams Selyem Zinfandel North Flats Forchini Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Very good color for its age. Developed along with the other wines intensity. My #4 and the grp #5. Drink.

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• 2013 Epoch Estate Wines Zinfandel Paderewski Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles Willow Creek District

  Big fruit, a different Zin style from Paso Robles. My #3 and Grp #6. Buy

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My good friend wanted to share an experience of a Sonoma Cab vertical of a wine no longer made. Dbl blind. Intriguing and surprisingly good fruit.

• 2003 Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon Cinq Cépages 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  More balance with the fruit. Quite enjoyable.

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• 2007 Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon Cinq Cépages 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Good fruit, ton of tannin, sweet finish. Long term aging.

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• 1996 Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon Cinq Cépages 94 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Great spot to be drinking now.

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• 1990 Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon Cinq Cépages

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Sadly over the hill as we were told this was their first vintage.

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Perfectly cooked filet of beef with a ratatouille vegetable Mia along with a galerre/potato mixture. Delicious.

• 1989 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  Fantastic btl. Pristine condition and our sons birth year. Deep and rich Cab fruit. Brief decant. For an off vintage Randy makes great wines that age. Drink

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• 1982 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Really good for its age. Enjoyable in a flight of older Cali Cabs.

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• 1997 Cardinale 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Good fruit and mellow, soft palate taste. Good balance with the merlot.

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• 1992 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Deep garnet color, good fruit with the eucalyptus taste on the palate.

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Blueberry and apple pie, brownies and vanilla ice cream.

• 1979 Château d'Yquem 100 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Unbelievable youthful color for a 42 year old btl of wine. Excellent all they way thru dessert, Even after copious amounts of wine, this was singing. No bitterness on the finish. Just pure deliciousness. This is the year I met my wife and she is still so young to me. BUY/Drink if you must.

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Zinfandels can age and they are graceful with age. The ‘79 D’Yquem was magical but I am biased.