Kathryn Kennedy Estate Cab Vertical Dinner
Tasted Friday, July 8, 2005 by Vino Me with 1,208 views
Introduction
Otis invited a few Chicago board members to his home last Friday for a wonderful Kathryn Kennedy vertical tasting and dinner. The weather cooperated and we dined al fresco. Of course, the dinner cooked by chef Otis was delicious as usual; but, the highlight was 7 bottles of Kathryn Kennedy ranging from 1989 to 2001.
The Kathryn Kennedy estate is located in Saratoga, California on the inland side of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The estate was founded by kathryn kennedy in 1973 when she planted 8 acres of vines. The grapes are hand picked and vinified in small lots. They are aging with 90% French oak. The estate claims they have great aging potential. Kathryn's youngest son, Marty Mathis, took the position as winemaker in 1981.
I was the defacto official scorekeeper so I will post the results of the voting. The wines were not served blind. I will let the people who brought each bottle describe what decanting if any the bottles received. Everyone voted for 3 wines. 3 points for 1st, 2 points for 2nd and 1 point for 3rd. Here are the results:
1) 1995 Kathryn Kennedy Estate Cab- 14 points (3,2,1)
2) 2001 Kathryn Kennedy Estate Cab- 13.5 points (3.5,1.5,0)
3) 1993 Kathryn Kennedy Estate Cab- 13 points (1,5,0)
4) 1997 Kathryn Kennedy Estate Cab- 9 points (1.5,.5,3)
5) 1999 Kathryn Kennedy Estate Cab- 4 points (0,1,2)
6) 1989 Kathryn Kennedy Estate Cab- 1 point (0,0,1)
7) 1999 Kathryn Kennedy Small Lot Cab- 0 points
The 1995 won but the 2001 actually got the most 1st place votes. Here are my personal notes on the wines:
2001 Kathryn Kennedy Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
My favorite KK of the night. A nose of wet earth and macadamia nut. A bold wine with integrated tannins. Thick texture with notes of cassis and blackberry. Full bodied. Interesting vanilla flavors on the finish. 94 points.
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1995 Kathryn Kennedy Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
I thought the nose was a bit more restrained than some of the other vintages. Some floral aromas. Medium to full bodied. Notes of plum and creamy red fruit. It had rather sharp focused fruit on the midpalate. 91-92 points.
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1993 Kathryn Kennedy Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
My 2nd favorite of the night. Velvety fruit with notes of cherry. Probably the most elegant of the KK wines. Round on the palate and balanced. The finish just seems to grow and grow. 93 points.
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1997 Kathryn Kennedy Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
This finished 3rd for me. Solid red color. A little mustiness on the nose which blew off. Notes of currant and berry. A little lighter bodied than the other KK wines (lets call it medium bodied). Smooth with integrated tannins and a long finish. 92 points.
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1999 Kathryn Kennedy Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Dark inky red which was the common color among all of these wines. Some toasted oak on the nose. Notes of cocoa and red berries. Firmer tannins than most of these wines. Needs time to flesh out. 90-91 points.
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1989 Kathryn Kennedy Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
I thought this was drinking very well. Still a solid reddish/crimson color. A bit of menthol on the nose. Leaner fruit than in the other KK wines but that is expected. notes of smoke, mint, crushed grape skin and leather. Smooth finish. 91 points.
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1999 Kathryn Kennedy Cabernet Sauvignon Small Lot 91 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
This had the fruitiest nose. Moderately tannic. Notes of mushroom and concentrated red berries. Less dense than the estate Cabs with a shorter finish. 91 points.
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