Domestic Cab Tasting at the Dave M Condo

A great evening with Dave, Steve, Chris, Craig, Nate and myself. All the wines showed well and some were stellar. Dave made a nice pot roast and Craig (via Nita) brought some spicy lamb meatballs that lasted all of 2 seconds (thanks Craig!).

Beaulieu was served first as a stand alone as was the Mondavi (Mystery Wine "A"). The Montelena wines were together and the Pride Cab Franc (Mystery Wine "B") was alone. The remaining wines followed ordinally.

• 1969 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 72 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  This was the first Mystery Bottle. Nose: Musty and mushroomy. No fruit. Palate: Same as the nose. This wine was dead and as such was undecernable by our group.

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• 2003 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Nose: Red berry and cassis. Palate: Light spice, bright red fruit, simple and soft. This was the Mystery Wine in the "A" decanter.

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• 2001 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Nose: Deep with inky traces and some cassis and chalky loam. Palate: Bright red fruit with lively acid and the loamy qualities coming through. No browning in color this wine is still very youthful. Classic Napa Cab. Drinking very well now and my WOTN.

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• 2002 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Nose: In stark contrast to the "01" Montelena this shows much darker fruit and a unique minty quality. Palate: Dark fruits, with less acid than "01" but still well balanced. More weighty mouthfeel than "01". Well made.

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• 2003 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Franc 91 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma

  Nose: Exotic Licorice and clove undertones. Palate: Sweet fruit and nice length. This was the Mystery Wine in the "B" decanter. Nobody guessed Cab Franc although many of us guessed Cab Sauv. At least we were half right.

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• 2001 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Nose: Mineral with blackberry and a briary quality. Palate: A little cassis after some glass time. Blackberry fruit. The nose was more interesting than the palate on both the Merus wines. I liked this "01" a little better than the "02" due to the mineral component of the nose.

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• 2002 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Nose: Very forward with sweet blackberry and floral nuances. Palate: Sweet blackberry fruit, jammy. Both Merus wines were nice but a little too ponderous for me (perhaps not enough acidity?).

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• 2001 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points

  USA, Washington

  Nose: Dark, earthy nose with white pepper and leather hints. Palate: Very spicy with the dark fruit coming through. Good acid levels. This wine is still very primary and over time I could easily see it score 93+. All the components are there. My first Quilceda Creek. Thanks Dave.

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• 2001 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Nose: Dark fruits with subtle pruny undertones. Palate: Very dark and brooding with chocolate and firm yet developed tannins. Sweet fruit and a lengthy, weighty finish. Very nice wine and a close 2nd for my WOTN. Many in the group picked this as their WOTN and I can see why.

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As usual the evening was filled with great conversation and a little good natured ribbing. A good time was had by all. Thanks for hosting Dave!