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California Cabernets
Chez Bruce, Wandsworth, London
Tasted May 9, 2017 by Rupert with 359 views
Introduction
A range of California cabernets with some age on them. For someone like me who drinks claret a lot and these seldom, they were strikingly similar - powerful, blackcurrant fruit, long and deep, but with not much nuance. The Monte Bellos stood out by being fresher and earthier.
Flight 1 (1 note)
Rosé - Sparkling
2000 Pol Roger Champagne Brut Rosé
A dramatic deep gold, but on the palate it was, shall we say, elusive. A vague sense of rose petal perhaps.
Flight 2 (3 notes)
Red
2001 Joseph Phelps Insignia
92 points
Ripe, minty nose. Intense. A medicinal tone and a bit of spice. Restrained power and soft grip. Ultimately the most satisfying of this first flight, with its penetrating nose.
Red
Red
2003 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection
91 points
Big, smooth, quite sweet. Delicious, but simple.
Flight 3 (3 notes)
Red
1993 Ridge Monte Bello
92 points
Lovely balance - resolved, leaner and fresher than any of the first flight.
Red
1996 Ridge Monte Bello
93 points
Earthy. Lovely blackcurrant fruit shows through and the combination works.
Red
1998 Ridge Monte Bello
91 points
Darker in colour than the 93 and 96, but lighter, a bit fresher, but less to it, and it's grippy.
Flight 4 (3 notes)
Red
1991 Ridge Monte Bello
94 points
This had a touch more precision and balance than the other Monte Bellos, less of earth, more of the spice, and that firm grand blackcurrant spine.
Red
1992 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
91 points
After the Monte Bellos, this was hard to access - fuller, smoother, denser, but less expressive.
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Comment
Red
1991 Dominus Estate Napanook Vineyard
91 points
Milky texture, tannic, serious, but not expressive tonight.