Forty-five years since these were growing, probably forty-three since they were bottled...
It was so old, we thought to call the vineyard before we cracked it, to discuss its history. The gentleman on the other end said he believes this was the first vintage they ever did this Cab.
Well you could've fooled us.
Most people probably don't think Washington State wine could survive from the 70s. This one has crystals on the cork, the tip is midnight black, the entire ride up the cork is wine covered... Naughty talk...
Granted, we were very gentle in removing it, but it came out in one piece. Decanted slowly.
Pretty bricked edges? yes; Aged funk? all day; Earth, tobacco and green? it's in there; Medium bodied but full flavored; Complex and discussion worthy.
An hour open it became a more cohesive juice. The pours got bigger, no holding back, no concern for flavor, no apprehension wondering- will we empty the glass.?. Whether the winemakers knew it in 78/79, it was built to last.
The backbone has slathered away over time. No acid there to ride it more days in the racks. If you have one or a few, now's likely the time. If you racked it right, please call us when you decant. See ya soon!
You can't manufacture these flavors and scents... Just stunning. Beguiling in that it was so aged, but fresh enough for Steve Martin's Jerk.
This bottle won't make another hour.
We realize we may be missing the best of it by drinking it so quickly, but we've also had other decades-aged vin that collapsed soon after opening, or soon after a brief peak. So, we'll take what this half-centenarian is offering.
Some American Cabs at Roger's (Roger's House): This was the surprise of the night. I haven't had the best experience with aged wine from Washington, and I was shocked to even find a bottle from the '70's from Washington, especially on the East Coast. Upon further research, I found out that the vineyard was planted in 1973, and this may have very well been the first vineyard designated bottling of this wine. So the history is really cool, and finding it is really cooler, but even better, the wine showed quite well. No way I would have guessed this was a wine from Washington nearly 35 years old. This was still quite fresh, mature but showing some red fruits. It's amazing how well this wine showed when you think that it was part of the frontier of wine making in Washington, and the vineyard still endures and produces great wine. The Insignia was undoubtedly the better wine, but this is the wine that makes me so geeked out about wine in the first place. You can imagine the wine maker bottling this wine, which very well might have been the first single vineyard wine of the state. It's exciting to be able to try it all these years later and say "Good Job, and thanks for the wonderful vino!"
12/26/2023 - Bin707LoversDetroit Likes this wine: 92 Points
What an impressive showing!
Forty-five years since these were growing, probably forty-three since they were bottled...
It was so old, we thought to call the vineyard before we cracked it, to discuss its history. The gentleman on the other end said he believes this was the first vintage they ever did this Cab.
Well you could've fooled us.
Most people probably don't think Washington State wine could survive from the 70s. This one has crystals on the cork, the tip is midnight black, the entire ride up the cork is wine covered... Naughty talk...
Granted, we were very gentle in removing it, but it came out in one piece. Decanted slowly.
Pretty bricked edges? yes;
Aged funk? all day;
Earth, tobacco and green? it's in there;
Medium bodied but full flavored;
Complex and discussion worthy.
An hour open it became a more cohesive juice. The pours got bigger, no holding back, no concern for flavor, no apprehension wondering- will we empty the glass.?. Whether the winemakers knew it in 78/79, it was built to last.
The backbone has slathered away over time. No acid there to ride it more days in the racks. If you have one or a few, now's likely the time. If you racked it right, please call us when you decant. See ya soon!
You can't manufacture these flavors and scents... Just stunning. Beguiling in that it was so aged, but fresh enough for Steve Martin's Jerk.
This bottle won't make another hour.
We realize we may be missing the best of it by drinking it so quickly, but we've also had other decades-aged vin that collapsed soon after opening, or soon after a brief peak. So, we'll take what this half-centenarian is offering.
Health, wealth, love and peace to you all in '24.
Noroc!
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3/5/2011 - hutch wrote: 92 Points
Some American Cabs at Roger's (Roger's House): This was the surprise of the night. I haven't had the best experience with aged wine from Washington, and I was shocked to even find a bottle from the '70's from Washington, especially on the East Coast. Upon further research, I found out that the vineyard was planted in 1973, and this may have very well been the first vineyard designated bottling of this wine. So the history is really cool, and finding it is really cooler, but even better, the wine showed quite well. No way I would have guessed this was a wine from Washington nearly 35 years old. This was still quite fresh, mature but showing some red fruits. It's amazing how well this wine showed when you think that it was part of the frontier of wine making in Washington, and the vineyard still endures and produces great wine. The Insignia was undoubtedly the better wine, but this is the wine that makes me so geeked out about wine in the first place. You can imagine the wine maker bottling this wine, which very well might have been the first single vineyard wine of the state. It's exciting to be able to try it all these years later and say "Good Job, and thanks for the wonderful vino!"
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)