A recent blind wine tasting featured “older’ California Cabernet Sauvignon as the theme as requested by the one who hosted it in his wonderful, ocean view, Santa Barbara Riviera home.
We had 10 people and 12 wines as two of the wines * were selected the day before at a memorial celebration where wines from the celebrant’s cellar were given away.
We had two starter wines that properly and pleasantly prepared our palates for the wines to follow:
NV TAITTINGER LA FRANCAISE BRUT- this is comprised of a blend of 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier sourced from at least 35 villages; the high proportion of Chardonnay is unique among fine nonvintage Champagnes; also unusual is that it spent close to 4 years on the lees; it was dosed at 9 gpl; this bottle was nicely refreshing with mild, but enough acidity to cleanse the palate with fresh citrus fruit all the way through while being delivered in a frothy, almost cotton candy like mousse.
2019 BABCOCK DONNACHADH VINEYARD TOP CREAM SANTA RITA HILLS CHARDONNAY- this was in a really good place having very inviting aromatics that included honeysuckle, minerals, buttered popcorn and vanilla laden lemon, lime and orange that continued on to the back end; it was, in fact, creamy, which enhanced the finish to complete the deal.
We chose to do 2 flights of 6. Once each person had an opportunity to access and grade each wine and without much discussion, votes were recorded.
2014 GRGICH HILLS ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA- blind; this is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 4.5% Petit Verdot, 2.5 Cabernet Franc sourced from from Yountville, with contributions from Rutherford and Calistoga; following its youthful more red than purple color came fruit forward aromas of oak accented wild red cherry/ berry; some cedar and blackberry fruit joined in on the palate; there was an obvious tannic backbone that suggests this has the structure to go for the distance and needs some time for the tannins to soften and integrate; it was my #2 in the flight and the #1 fav of the group.
2005 CHIMNEY ROCK STAGS LEAP DISTRICT CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA- blind; this was a lovely wine throughout and quite typical of what i think of when I think of a Napa Cab with its cedar and milk chocolate accented blackberry and black current fruit; it was full bodied with layered depth and complexity and nicely balanced; I had it #1 in the flight and the group had it tied for 2nd.
1994 CHATEAU MONTELENA ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA- blind; my bring and not recognized; this had a dark red purple color and aromas of a grapey wine that I relate to as in my childhood experience in church with communion {Welch’s grape juice sans the sweetness}; the taste profile was much more to my liking with dark chocolate red and black cherry with some coffee and an unexpected hint of molasses at the end; it was full bodied with nice length; when revealed, I was surprised to discover what it was and although good, I was a bit disappointed in that i’ve had many better bottles of this within the last couple of years. I rated it #3 in the flight; the group vote had it tied for #3.
2006 WHITE COTTAGE ESTATE RISA CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA- blind; the dark red purple color was followed by aromas that included coffee, smoke, anise/licorice accented black currant that continued on all the way through; there was some very different notes from unidentified compounds that were in the background that were likened to minerals, metal and steel; so, I downgraded my scoring and it tied for 5th; the group had it tied for 3rd I believe.
1976 JORDAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON ALEXANDER VALLEY- blind; the color was a faded red purple and the nose included some unexpected red raspberry/ cherry joined by even more unexpected maraschino cherry on the palate; it was medium bodied with a fruity finish that had a touch of sweetness; this was obviously a very different wine and once I heard we had a 1976, i figured this had to be it; I appreciated that it was still drinkable, but certainly not what one would expect with this profile and producer; my #6 and the group’s #4.
*2012 SANTS CRUZ MOUNTAIN VINEYARD LUCHESSI VINEYARD SANTA CRUZ MOUNTINS CABERNET SAUVIGNON- blind; leather, mushroom and earth accented back currant was most evident early on and beyond with a strange component in the background that I never could ID and it never dissipated; it was medium bodied with a smooth mouthfeel; I give it a 4-5 rating and the group scored it #3.
We had a nice break between flights as our host brought out a marvelous homemade Cesar salad, home made lasagne and cheese and pesto raviolis from a fine local Italian restaurant, Via Maestra 42.
Well nourished and somewhat rehydrated, we moved on for the 2nd flight of 6:
2016 THE MASCOT CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA- blind; this is made from 7 distinct hillside vineyards specifically, the younger vines of Harlan Estate,
Promontory and the 5 small vineyards within the Bond portfolio; it is aged for 4 years prior to being released; our unknown bottle when tasted sported a youthful, vibrant dark red purple color and offered pleasant and enticing aromas of leather and chocolate laden ripe blackberry and black cherry which made up a good portion of the taste profile; it had a smooth texture, was full bodied and had a little heat at the end which downgraded it from my fav of the fight to #3; the group had it 2nd.
2014 FOLEY JOHNSON ESTATE RUTHERFORD NAPA CABERNET SAUVIGNON- blind; this is comprised of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc; following its serious dark red purple color came nice aromas of chocolate accented dark fruit with blackberry most prevalent here and on the palate; it was big and complex and yet softened by a velvety smooth texture; its approachability may have been its #1 redeeming quality; I scored it 2/3 in the flight and the group had it as their #3.
2016 CAYMUS VINEYARDS SPECIAL SELECT CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA- blind; this had a serious dark red purple color and equally serious aromas of talc, leather and coffee accented black currant and blackberry which also made up a good portion of the taste profile while being delivered in super smooth texture which enhanced the finish as well; its mellow profile suggested some Merlot in the mix, but that was not the case; it seemed to be a well made wine that just needed some time to evolve; once revealed, I was not surprised to see it was the SS; I ranked it 2nd in the flight, the group had it 5th I believe.
2018 O’SHAUGHNESSY CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA- blind; the dark red purple color suggested this being very young and the fruit forward, black cherry dominate nose seemed to confirm it; it was more balanced by mid-palate as the fruit profile gained some black currant and blackberry with accents of sandalwood and talc; it was full bodied with nice length and very impressive overall; this is comprised of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 3% Malbec, 2% Saint Macaire. I rated it #2 in the flight and I believe the group had it as #4.
*2016 LANCASTER ESTATE WINEMAKER’S RED WINE CUVEE ALEXANDER VALLEY- blind; this was a very subtle wine that showcased its class and elegance by just easing forward on the palate and gliding through to the back end where it gathered and displayed even more excellence albeit in mellow form; I never did find the makeup of the blend, but it seemed to be more Merlot and less Cab; mild notes of cedar and toasty oak nicely accented the blackberry and black currant/ plum fruit while being delivered in a super soft texture in this medium bodied beauty; my #2 in the flight as well as the group’s #2.
2017 RIDGE ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS- blind; 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot; this is to be differentiated from the estate vineyard, Montebello, although both are grown organically on a limestone seabed from which select mountainside parcels are sourced for both releases; our bottle had a very serious, youthful dark red purple color and aromas of ripe blackberry at its best; once tasted, additional notes of black cherry and black currant came along with a touch of anise, graphite and tobacco; it was full bodied with some weight and finished a bit dry; I had it in the 3-5 rating and the group had it last in the flight.
It was a fun night, righteously hosted with quality appetizers and food and an assortment of many good wines tasted blind for further education. It was extra special for me as I got to see many good friends who I do not see as often as liked and sharing the evening with them.
Cheers,
Blake