Ranking 90s California Vintages

Interested in perceptions of 90s vintages in California, particularly for Cabernet, and with an eye to how they are drinking now.

Reputedly there is a search function, but after 4 attempts I grew frustrated of searching. TIA.

94
97
96
91
95
92
93
99
90
98

Had a '92 Phelps Insignia last year, it showed very well.

91
92
94
93
96/95 - haven’t had any recently
99/90
98
97 -

91
92
94
95
96
90
93
------ I pretty much gave up on Cali Cab after 96—

Me too.

You need a WineHunting course.

Indeed. If only there were someone with Chicago ties who wasn’t so reticent to share his wisdom.

Ridge made some very nice lighter styled '98s.

91
94
97
96/95
92
99
93/98 (some houses made some great '98 such as karl lawrence, shafer hillside, arns etc…)

Karl Lawrence also made really good 1999s. Vintage generalizations are useful but should always be taken with a grain of salt.

As they say, you always remember the first time.

http://www.wineberserkers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=134412&hilit=1994+california+cabernet#p2149987

Interesting list. I have not had that many wines from 1990, 1992 and 1993 so won’t comment on those vintages. From what I have had, I agree that 1991 is the clear class of the decade. And, I can understand putting 97 at or near the bottom. I have had some really good 1996s and 1999s, but this is where ranking California vintages can get tough. I realized as I thought about this that my favorite 1996s and 1999s are not from Napa, but from Ridge - so, south of SF. Not sure how this should impact rankings, if at all. Does it make sense to rank vintages for California. Is that too much like ranking vintages from France?

Honestly, CA had an amazing string of vintages in the '90s. From my favorite producers I’d drink any of them with the possible exception of 1997 which is often too big and ripe for me.

Montelena 97 is pretty good. Of course, if we limit this to my favorite producers, then I am really ranking by Ridge, Montelena and maybe a few more (adding today Stony Hill).

Overall, 1997 was the inflection-point year, starting the as-yet-reversed slide.

For me Tier 1 is 91/92/94

Middle Tier is 90/95/96/99/93 (probably in that order)

Bottom is 98

Big ? for me on the 97’s. They were fine at time of release, but I largely sold all I had so have no current data points.

Note my “style” is Montelena/Monte Bello. Loved the 1994 and earlier Insignia & Bacchus from Phelpks too

I would think 98 and 93 would be at the bottom.