WCC 2004 California Cab Blind Tasting

My Albany-area group (the Wine Collectors Club) got together to taste 2004 Cali Cabs blind at the Fort Orange Club in Albany. Dinner began around 7pm and ended around 10pm.

Executive Chef Lou Agostinello is doing a marvelous job of making wine-friendly, delicious food. Every course was outstanding.

We did a similar 2004 California Cabernet tasting ten years ago and another fourteen years ago with similar results.

Photos and more details can be found on my website.

Grilled Quail, maple pecan glaze, wilted frisée, shiitake, sherry poached gala apple.

• 2004 Corra Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  [Double-decanted around 2pm.] Dark chocolate and blackberry nose. Rich, expansive, complex. Gorgeous.

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• 2004 Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

  [Double-decanted around 2pm.] Big, waxy, red fruit nose. Rich and complex with lots of sour cherries. Should drink well for another decade.

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• 2004 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  [Double decanted all at 1:00 PM, recorked at 5:00 PM.] Huge black fruit nose. Rich, complex. Still young, but no harm in drinking it now.

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Lamb Tenderloin, cabernet–date reduction, sweet potato quenelles, grilled asparagus.

• 2004 Dominus Estate 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  [Double decanted all at 1:00 PM, recorked at 5:00 PM.] Smoky black currant nose. This is still young, but already long and complex. Seems a little more Bordeaux-like than the previous wines. I suspect this isn't 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

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• 2004 Pahlmeyer Merlot 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  [Double decanted all at 1:00 PM, recorked at 5:00 PM.] Rich black cherry nose. Long, complex, elegant. Again, not 100% Cab, but not as balanced as 2.1.
  [After the tasting, we realized that this was the Merlot, and not the 2004 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red. At least I was correct when I wrote, "not 100% Cab".]

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• 2004 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon Flawed

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

  [Double-decanted around 2pm.] Mildly corked.

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Roasted Prime NY Strip, ballston blue demi-glace, roasted Peruvian potatoes, broccoli rabe.

• 2004 Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  [Decanted from 3:15 to 5:30pm.] Huge blackberry nose. The tannin shows more boldly here, but still has a long complex finish with enough fruit for this Barolo Head. Group #2 WOTN.

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• 2004 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga

  [Double-decanted around 2pm.] Smoky black fruit nose. Juicy, tart. Has a sour quality not typical of Cali Cab.

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• 2004 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 97 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  [Double-decanted around 2pm.] The muted nose of black currants slowly opens up to brighter fruit and flowers. Young, but so rich and complex. Very long finish. Easily the WOTN for me and the group.

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Almond macaroons and chocolates.

• 2000 Quinta do Noval Porto Vintage Silval

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  [Double decanted all at 1:00 PM, recorked at 5:00 PM.] Austere nose. High alcohol. Disjointed.

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The 2004 is really coming into its own. There were a couple of off bottles, but the rest were drinking beautifully (especially with food) and still have years to go.