2002 Bressler Cabernet Sauvignon- USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena (1/23/2015)
Popped, decanted and followed for two and a half hours. At first, after 30 minutes of air, it was a nice, balanced and pleasant if not spectacular Cabernet. After two and a half hours of air, it is spectacular. The red fruits are coming out of hiding, the wine is opening up, and the smooth feel is finishing with some nice back end spice. The ABV is 14.9% but I would have guessed much less. I got this in trade back in 2006 when a group of people on mail order lists got together to trade their extras. I don’t remember what I traded for this, but I’m glad I got this. (92 pts.)
Love these wines and they usually reward 2 hours or so of air. My last 02 was in August 13 and I gave it a 2 hour decant and it was terrific and still on the young side.
Yep, Fred, I have '06, '09, and a pair of '10s in the cellar. Might open the '06 in a few weeks, when my dad comes to visit. He and I have had the '05 together twice and he’s a big fan.
I had the 06 from pnp earlier this month and it is pretty open and ready to go, very good.
I took the 09 to a business dinner this week and after a 1 hour decant followed it for about an hour through dinner. It is terrific. It might be as good as the 05 which has been my favorite. Need to see if Bob has some more.
Looks like some in the Seattle crew tried the 12 recently. I won’t touch those for a few years.
Yes indeed. Drew was very generous to open one of these for me last week
"2012 Bressler Cabernet
A very different beast, this IS a ride—plum pie and plenty of cocoa underpinning to sniff at. On the tongue, this gets right to the edge of what I like in terms of big, bold and sweet, with oodles of plum, crabapple and pomegranate, but stays on the playing field with a very intriguing soft-but-gritty tannins…really, like the finest sandpaper. This won’t be for everyone, though."