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1999 Cabernet Retrospective, Part 4 (Tasted Blind)
Tom's house in Palo Alto, California
Tasted May 29, 2014 by europat55 with 406 views
Introduction
Notes from the event organizer: "Tonight's lineup has a theme of "BIG", and focuses on the rich, ripe style which most of the current top cult Cabernets tend towards. Heading the list is the outstanding Quilceda Creek, but we'll also have the Fisher Coach Insignia and Shafer from the Stag's Leap District to give it a run for the money. Overall, we'll try three examples from Napa Valley and one each from Dry Creek and Mendoza, plus three from Australia, including the 1999 Annvers Langhorne Creek, a powerful, deep Cabernet which might take the whole thing. Some tasting notes:"
Flight 1 - Pre-Tasting Wines (1 note)
Red
1998 Domaine de la Mordorée Lirac La Dame Rousse
90 points
Gorgeous nose (B++/A-). Excellent palate (B+/B++).
Flight 2 - Main Flight (9 notes)
Red
1999 Luca Cabernet Sauvignon Alto de Mendoza
91 points
Some heat, good mix of fruit and rustic on the nose (B++/A-). Very smooth palate (B++).
My #1, Group's #1 (44 pts). Tasted blind.
My #1, Group's #1 (44 pts). Tasted blind.
Red
1999 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon
90 points
Oaky, smooth nose (B++). Smooth palate with a good concentration (B++).
My #2, Group's #3 (62 pts). Tasted blind.
My #2, Group's #3 (62 pts). Tasted blind.
Red
1999 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon
89 points
Strange nose, but still excellent! (B+/B++). Excellent palate, good concentration (B+/B++).
My #3, Group's #6 (75 pts). Tasted blind.
My #3, Group's #6 (75 pts). Tasted blind.
Red
1999 Annvers Cabernet Sauvignon Langhorne Creek
87 points
Generous, fruity nose with lots of raspberries and some heat (B/B+). Smooth palate, some depth (B+/B++)
My #4, Group's #8 (85 pts). Tasted blind.
My #4, Group's #8 (85 pts). Tasted blind.
Red
1999 Fisher Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia
88 points
Very good nose, some heat (B+). Excellent palate, but likely past its prime (B+/B++).
My #4, Group's #2 (60 pts). Tasted blind.
My #4, Group's #2 (60 pts). Tasted blind.
Red
1999 Greenock Creek Cabernet Sauvignon
87 points
Fruity nose with lots of heat on the nose initially (B+/B++). Not so well integrated palate (B).
My #6, Group's #4 (68 pts). Tasted Blind.
My #6, Group's #4 (68 pts). Tasted Blind.
Red
1999 Pezzi King Cabernet Sauvignon
87 points
Smooth nose (B+). Good palate with a long thin finish (B/B+).
My #7, Group's #7 (79 pts). Tasted Blind.
My #7, Group's #7 (79 pts). Tasted Blind.
Red
1999 Laird Family Estate Merlot Suscol Ranch
86 points
Very generous and interesting nose (B+). Simple, not very well integrated palate (B).
My #8, Group's #5 (71 pts). Tasted blind.
My #8, Group's #5 (71 pts). Tasted blind.
Red
1999 Kilikanoon Cabernet Sauvignon
85 points
Light, fruity nose with hints of apples (B/B+). Palate is way to sweet to my taste. Feels like cherry juice (C).
My #9, Group's #9 (Tasted Blind).
My #9, Group's #9 (Tasted Blind).
Flight 3 - Posts (1 note)
Red
1979 Villa Mt. Eden Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
89 points
This was definitely showing its age, but still a very enjoyable drinking.
Closing
