January 9, 2021 - Pop and pour. Cork stable with stain on lower half. First aromatic notes indicate oxidized, at least partially, but this blew off after about an hour. Purple-cirmson color, not cloudy or bricking which is a good sign. Loads of sour cherry, some earth, leather and spices. Past its prime for sure yet still holding on 30+ years later. Drinkable if you like the very mature and sour style. I imagine this was very solid 5 years ago.
December 15, 2020 - Cork in fine shape though I took it out with an ah-so. Orange on the rim and body. Forest floor, caramel and coffee nose. Wine major taste was a sweet oaky-ness initially and some Bordeaux like cedar and tobacco notes but not much berry fruit. Maybe some plummy notes after four hours open and a pleasant but very short finish. Was a decent match for a pan seared NY strip and some French style green beans. I am impressed that even a little of the fruit remains after 30 years.
September 2, 2020 - Think this was stored upside down or on its side since 1994 but don't know what spouse did with it before that. Brought out of the cellar about 4-6 months ago & it has been sitting upright since then waiting for a "special" dark meat meal. Capsule intact. Cork intact but recessed. Sediment, dried wine solids around top of cork rim. Cork easily pushed into bottle using an "Ah-So" pronged opener - must have dried out in its early life :(
Vinegary. Can't drink, and will make delightful salad dressing.
April 11, 2020 - Wonderful kept a great nose and flavor
April 10, 2020 - We enjoyed greatly
November 22, 2018 - Pop and pour; tasted; waited an hour; tasted again; then poured down the drain.
This was purchased on release for $13.99 from Winex in So. California.
The bottle still had the sticker on it.
It was kept in 55 degree conditions until being opened.
It was dead.
No fruit; tasted oxidized and overly acidic.
Will note it as flawed.
August 12, 2018 - Decanted for a good hour.
Interestingly we recently had the Excellent 1990 Caymus Special Selection ( Papies 96) and this is a softer, more Burgundian in a way expression of the same wine. Definitely 5 years maybe 10 years too late for this wine ( So holders advised to drink up) . Soft red fruits, light but healthy mid palate, nice fruit lingering but has lost its vibrant side. Pretty in its own way. Good 92 and drink ASAP.
January 27, 2018 - Brought this to a blind tasting with Cabs from the area of various ages. It was one of the top three wines based on the participants reviews. I bought this on release and it has been in my cold cellar since. Holding up but I did not risk decanting it. Tasting blind it was my #2 wine. Dinking well with aged Napa Cab flavor and aromatics
December 31, 2016 - Definitely on its last legs. But still some nice fruit, and lovely tertiary flavors – mushroom, light forest floor, nice rounded fruit. No bitterness or tannins. Just a nice aged cabernet. Almost certainly will not last much longer, but lovely to have this while there is still some life in it.
December 25, 2016 - Past it's prime