December 25, 2023 - Amaxingly still good, balanced , fruit remained.
February 10, 2021 - Decanted, nice nose of dark berries, plenty of fruit, perfect balance, medium to long finish. Doubt that it is improving but very nice now.
Note: nose and flavors were much better after 3 hours of airtime.
September 12, 2019 - Supposedly years beyond its drink by date. Opened and poured with little airing. It opened up nicely after about a half hour and a serving of lamb. Fruit good for its age, good color. A very nice mature Napa cab.
May 21, 2019 - Had 2001 and 2013 before. This bottle was very tired unfortunately....Showing signs of madeira, xerez and port. Not oxidized just yet but definitely moving there((
October 20, 2018 - The Papies 25th Anniversary Dinner & 1993 Vintage Horizontal (Hide, London): 1 Magnum and 1 3L on the day, both decanted for a good 2 hours.
25 years young, still with good ripe feel, good rich fruit across. Dark fruited on the nose, proper old school Napa, light smoky edge and so much more focused on the fruit than the Togni 1993 we had ( Papies 95). Tobacco feel and light cedar completes the symphony, but the dark fruit is what one will remember. 92 and still has miles in the tank.
November 29, 2017 - From Magnum. Smooth and at peak. Ripe but not highly extracted red and black fruits with Eucalyptus. Good acidity. Classic early 90s Cali cab.
May 3, 2017 - Spottswoode Vertical 93,94,95,96 & a Bevy of '94 Napa Gems Among Others (Capitalle Grille, Mpls, MN): Dark red color. Slow-O for an hour; drank 1 glass over 90 minutes. This was part of a Spottswoode vertical (93,94,95,96) tonight. This was my second favorite of the vertical. I have a slightly different impression of this than Chablis28, though i agree in general. This seems more resolved and realized, but I found it continuing to express itself in new ways over the course of 90 minutes plus. Lovely red fruited nose, cherry, bing cherry, subtle spice that builds into a complex mix of exotic spice after an hour in glass. The palate is at once silky and layered, Lopez-like laqueur, cherry, dusty, sleek silky tannins with plenty of life, and a long finish. The texture is splendid, and that spice, whoa, impressive on the finish as it builds. While this is at peak, i think it can hold for some time. This together with the '94 were the most impressive for me.
May 3, 2017 - Opened upon arrival at capital Grill and slow oxed in btl for around an hour as we enjoyed sparklers and whites. The most resolved and subtle of the 4 Spottswoode tonight ( 93,94,95 & 96) Supple, elegant and finessed. Dark cherry seems to be a signature flavor for the producer. Also dark fruit, tobacco and cedar on the nose and palate along with mineral and underbrush. Don't see this improving and may be moving past a previous peak but still impressive for its silky elegance. In the autumn of its years.
February 26, 2017 - Starting to flirt with oxidation but it blew off in 20 minutes yielding a spectacular full bodied CalCab. Too bad we can't find it in our area any more. Probably getting near is best before.
January 10, 2017 - Black cherries and dark fruits buoyed by fresh acidity. Smooth, spicy tannins balance a natural sweetness with good length. Benefits from a 45 minute decant. Delicious, but much better six or so years ago. Drink up, this is decidedly on the downward slope.