April 2, 2024 - "There's a lot of fish at Montrose Harbor" (Chicago, IL): This was another solid bottle of 1984 cabernet -- stylistically it's a bit lighter and a bit more green than the others, but overall the fruit profile here is brighter and lighter, and there is less of a tannic backbone here. Good acidity, with a mix of red and black fruit. Quite approachable now, this was probably the most ready of the four 1984s we had tonight.
March 2, 2024 - Medium dark garnet in color with minor clearing at the edges. Full, forward & fragrant nose of ripe fruit aromas of cherries, blackberries & plums with overtones of floral & earthy/dusty notes & classic cigar box notes of cedar & tobacco, leather, herbs, camphor, spices, minerals & a slight hint of vanilla/oak. Full bodied with very good concentration of well balanced & smooth textured, ripe fruit flavors of cherries, blackberries & black plums with herbs, spices, minerals & a hint of vanilla/oak. Long lingering smooth finish. Drinks quite well at present & at 40 years of age, it is at its peak of development. Although it may hold here for a few more years, I doubt any further development would occur with additional aging, so drink up. Fill was right at the juncture of the bottle neck and shoulder; cork was saturated but intact. A lovely Cabernet which when aged, drinks more like an aged Bordeaux.
February 17, 2023 - Just shy of 40, this bottle showed very nicely. The cork was cause for concern... almost fully saturated. Popped and poured.
The wine itself was no worse for wear but did show its age. A mature cab with notes of cherry, dead leaves and earth, black tea, and menthol. At this stage, I felt the acid outpaced the fruit on the palate.
A nice bottle worth drinking in the near term. Stood up for several weeks before opening; quite a bit of sediment in the last few ounces.
April 3, 2022 - stewy
February 20, 2021 - Seemingly heat damaged
June 28, 2020 - In vertical. Ripe and certainly mature with good weight, but time to drink up.
October 25, 2013 - Popped, breathed in bottle 60 minutes, consumed over next 90. Dark fruit in evidence right away and held its plateau through the night, but I didn't feel it improved. I would describe this as holding on rather than developing. Curiously devoid of tertiary notes that might be expected with age. Still, a nice experience with a mature Cab and surprisingly enjoyable considering the maligned vintage.
October 25, 2013 - Marin County Wine Group - Aged Cabernets 15 year min.; 10/24/2013-10/25/2013 (Mill Valley, Ca.): First taste from this producer it was the older of the two Formans in this flight. Slightly camphoric nose that carried ever so delecately into the palate. The most meaningful I can say about this wine is that it is still showing hints of its youth, but its on the downslope. A good wine none the less. well made
October 7, 2013 - Beautiful. Still a ruby tone without bricking. Decanted and drank over two hours. Had been worried as the cork was saturated. Slight meatiness and a touch of iron initially but the overwhelming note on the nose after a few moments was tart and full cherry, but also full of pepper and toasted spice. Medium to full bodied but not overblown, and a full 45 second finish.
February 23, 2011 - Was nice although showing its age. I don't remember enough details to give it a score.