Tasting these wines from three decades underscores the vineyard's ability to produce long-lived, high-quality wines with remarkable consistency, perhaps unmatched in Napa Valley during those years. While there is a clear line through the decades the tasting showcased the many faces these wines have, as some were still vibrant and young while others were on an absolut peak. The 1978 vintage was the winner, earning a perfect 100pts for its mature complexity, including malt and coffee nuances, a lively fruit core, and formidable structure. The 1969 and 1975 vintages were not far behind (both at 97pts).
TN: This wine opens with a powerful, expressive nose featuring sweet dark fruits, eucalyptus, smoke, and earthy minerality—truly superb. On the palate, it displays extreme power with a strong core of ripe dark berries, cassis, and subtle red fruits, complemented by eucalyptus and earthy nuances. The structure is pronounced with high freshness and a fine texture. After an hour, it evolves, revealing additional layers of smoke, dark berries, and some honey, becoming softer, rounder, and more elegant with more air. The complexity and evolving nature make it a standout wine.
Decanter: A short decant should do the job.
