Cabs Covering 30 Years at Black Sheep Bistro

Black Sheep Bistro Tustin
Tasted Friday, December 26, 2008 by WetRock with 577 views

Introduction

Andy Velebil set up a quick dinner for his friend Caleb who is in town for the weekend on a respite from working at Ridge, poor fella. They regaled us with stories of frolicking and playing through the vineyards of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Such innocence, such youth, such boyhood wonder.

We had no formal theme but somehow ended up with a terrific lineup of Cali Cabs across 30 years. We also got a variety of styles and levels of maturity even among the attendees. Most all of the wines performed pretty well minus one corked bottle. My WOTN would be the '99 Seavey which I enjoyed revisiting quite a bit. Other contenders would be the 78 Monte Bello, 96 Chimney Rock, the 99 Dimaond Creek and the 2001 Nalle Zin.

Seems as though the food performance was much more mixed than our last visit though the restaurant took very good care of us and gave us our own area where we could spread out. Thanks all for a terrific and fun evening as always.

Flight 1 (13 Notes)

  • 2007 J. Rochioli Sauvignon Blanc

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    Citrus skin nose. Nicely balances its substantial palate weight. A nice sweet n sour character. Much better than I remembered their SB's being. Closer to New Zealand than Sancerre but a nice drink.

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  • 2001 La Chablisienne Chablis Grand Cru Grenouilles Château Grenouilles

    France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru

    Funky nose that seems to lessen with swirling revealing a nice mineral character. Palate brought a nice lean feel and was also better after swirling. The note of something that could have been premox seemed to stick around though not over powering. Seems to be similar to my last go around as well as others notes.

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  • 1978 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello

    USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

    Very well aged Cab nose and one that by itself would make me think the wine was nearing its end. But the palate was beautiful and substantial yet. Nice evenness with balancing tannins. This was really a classic well aged Cab that is a lovely drink. A rare treat that didn't last very long.

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  • 1984 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain

    Touch of heat on the nose with nice cedar and sweet cassis. Still a touch of sweetness on a very even feeling palate. Good grip though I found it faded some at the finish. Nice but didn't open up the way I hoped it would.

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  • 1990 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Seemed to show more green notes that typically is found on a Forman. It seemed to mellow out over a couple hours with more cedar and tobacco coming out. Palate was fairly tart with a nice lean feel. Not one of the better showings for a Forman for me. Just OK.

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  • 1994 Justin Vineyards & Winery Isosceles

    USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

    Odd nose was hard to pin down but I did get some sweetness. This was on the tart side with a strong grip. Nicely flavored it overcomes a weak mid palate with a big finish. Seemed to pick up some weight over dinner. My 2nd go around with this year and I've liked it both times.

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  • 1996 Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

    Rich nose of dark cassis with notes of spicey pepper. Very nice palate feel for such a rich wine with late acting tannins. This would seem to have a long life ahead of it and has yet to see its best days. Very good.

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  • 1999 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain

    Nose of dusty soils. Tons of depth and richness. Tannins have a nice soft feel to them. This had a nice redwood quality and went well with the food. Seems to have plenty of time ahead of it yet.

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  • 1999 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Nose was initially tight giving up some chocolate and dusty rocks. Early on it was grippy with some green notes on the end. Later on the palate became explosive with very nice richness and a more traditionally expressive Cab flavors. Probably best with 5-10 more years but great now once it got some air. My WOTN.

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  • 2003 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace Flawed

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain

    Corked

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  • 2003 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard H&C

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    Heavy nose of oak and chocolate, bit disjointed. Long lengthy palate with lots of espresso and more chocolate. Tannins are a bit late, rough and green. I think it has potential but will benefit from some more rest.

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  • 2006 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Heavy nose with some heat. Seems a bit tight with a note of spice. Soft rich primary with lots of chocolate. Thick and tannic with some more heat. Did I mention the chocolate? Definitely a big fat oak driven style and a big contrast from the Pinots.

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  • 2001 Nalle Zinfandel

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    Soft nose with nice subtle spice. Very pretty with subtly sweet zinberry across a well balanced palate. There was some Provencal type spices I find in Southern Rhones. A terrific Zin in a nearly forgotten style. Excellent dinner wine.

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