Still managing a medium ruby core, though fully bricked, as expected. The initial nose is promising - pipe tobacco, black currants, worn leather and decayed red floral. No pyrazines on this bottle. At once a touch rustic, but also of a noble pedigree, the wine seemed to struggle to find its sea legs over the course of the first hour. The back and forth continued into the second glass until it (stealing a line from The Jerk) found its purpose. From that point forward, this gained weight, complexity and the seamless nature that seemed to be lurking finally came together. Like a grand ocean liner of yesteryear, with nothing but calm seas as far as the eye could see, this steamed along brilliantly. Proved a nice complement to braised lamb shanks (mine) and even spicy seafood pasta (another's). Medium-bodied, fully mature, served non-blind with 30 minute decant. A great bottle, and a great surprise from a so-so vintage. Still some good years left, but not getting better. IIRC, the abv was 12,0%,recommended
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As is usually the case with Mayacamas, a unique profile. I don't know if it's the terroir (not to many others are making wine on Mt Veeder) or the winemaking.
A fair amount of pyrazine on first pouring that faded away with air. Lots of rich, ripe blackcurrant/plum fruit, a nice earthy quality, hardly any tertiary development except for a slight walnut note. None of the typical cedar/tobacco elements one might expect, and no hints of oak at all. The fruit has a lovely freshness to it. Very high-acid (Mayacamas always has the most acidity of any of the top Napa cabs in my experience), which made this an excellent pairing with food. A fair amount of tannin remaining and while the tannins aren't the silkiest, they're ripe and smooth and not bitter or drying. Good length. A really delicious old cabernet that may not improve much with more bottle age but should hold on for quite a while. I hope the new regime doesn't change too much.
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Bricking dark red violet color; mature, murky, weedy, red berry, apricot nose; mature, very advanced, cassis, raspberry palate with polished tannins; much better on palate than indicated by nose, could go 10 years; medium-plus finish (13% alcohol)
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For a 28-year old bottle showing some significant eulage from a so-so year, I was not prepared to expect how elegant this wine tasted. Incredible nose of dried berries and some smoke. Wonderful finish that seemed to last forever.
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RICH FRUIT, BLACK CHERRIES, BLACKBERRIES, LEATHER, LICORICE AROMA LOADS OF BLACK CHERRY FRUIT IN THE FLAVOR WITH HINTS OF CHOCOLATE AND LICORICE. COMPLEX, NICE LEGS, LONG FINISH.
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11/1/2016 - LongViewCellars wrote: 92 Points
Still has life, but fading. Drank on my 35th. #birthyearbottle
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1/17/2014 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
Still managing a medium ruby core, though fully bricked, as expected. The initial nose is promising - pipe tobacco, black currants, worn leather and decayed red floral. No pyrazines on this bottle. At once a touch rustic, but also of a noble pedigree, the wine seemed to struggle to find its sea legs over the course of the first hour. The back and forth continued into the second glass until it (stealing a line from The Jerk) found its purpose. From that point forward, this gained weight, complexity and the seamless nature that seemed to be lurking finally came together. Like a grand ocean liner of yesteryear, with nothing but calm seas as far as the eye could see, this steamed along brilliantly. Proved a nice complement to braised lamb shanks (mine) and even spicy seafood pasta (another's). Medium-bodied, fully mature, served non-blind with 30 minute decant. A great bottle, and a great surprise from a so-so vintage. Still some good years left, but not getting better. IIRC, the abv was 12,0%,recommended
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11/19/2013 - coremill wrote: 92 Points
As is usually the case with Mayacamas, a unique profile. I don't know if it's the terroir (not to many others are making wine on Mt Veeder) or the winemaking.
A fair amount of pyrazine on first pouring that faded away with air. Lots of rich, ripe blackcurrant/plum fruit, a nice earthy quality, hardly any tertiary development except for a slight walnut note. None of the typical cedar/tobacco elements one might expect, and no hints of oak at all. The fruit has a lovely freshness to it. Very high-acid (Mayacamas always has the most acidity of any of the top Napa cabs in my experience), which made this an excellent pairing with food. A fair amount of tannin remaining and while the tannins aren't the silkiest, they're ripe and smooth and not bitter or drying. Good length. A really delicious old cabernet that may not improve much with more bottle age but should hold on for quite a while. I hope the new regime doesn't change too much.
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7/3/2013 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 92 Points
Bricking dark red violet color; mature, murky, weedy, red berry, apricot nose; mature, very advanced, cassis, raspberry palate with polished tannins; much better on palate than indicated by nose, could go 10 years; medium-plus finish (13% alcohol)
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7/3/2013 - europat55 wrote: 86 Points
1970-1981 Mayacamas Cabs (Tasted blind) (Tom's house in Palo Alto, California): Lots of (bad) funk. Nose feels very old (B). Thin, green palate (B).
My #8, Group's #9 (122). Tasted blind.
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7/3/2013 - zscheiner Likes this wine: 94 Points
Blind Tasting '70-'81 Mayacamas Cabernets (Tom's House, Palo Alto, CA): Floral, blackberry, mint nose. Lovely balanced package of fruit, acid and structure. So good. (my 1st, group's 9th)
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12/4/2011 - jkline wrote:
took 30 minutes to open....what a beautiful mature cabernet. eucalyptus, earth, light cherries. balanced and pretty....
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8/7/2010 - psmith wrote:
Medium body. Warm red fruits and classic styling. Tannins have resolved, but still plenty of support. Very nice.
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5/5/2008 - jgpetrovich wrote: 96 Points
For a 28-year old bottle showing some significant eulage from a so-so year, I was not prepared to expect how elegant this wine tasted. Incredible nose of dried berries and some smoke. Wonderful finish that seemed to last forever.
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8/1/2003 - buckeye76 wrote: 92 Points
RICH FRUIT, BLACK CHERRIES, BLACKBERRIES, LEATHER, LICORICE AROMA LOADS OF BLACK CHERRY FRUIT IN THE FLAVOR WITH HINTS OF CHOCOLATE AND LICORICE. COMPLEX, NICE LEGS, LONG FINISH.
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12/14/1991 - buckeye76 wrote: 90 Points
MINT AND HERBACEOUSNESS IN THE NOSE WITH NICE BERRY FRUIT AND CHOCOLATE. RICH FRUIT, BLACKBERRIES AND CURRENT IN THE FLAVOR. LONG FINISH.
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