1984 Spottswoode Cabenet from a pristene 3L bottle!

WINE TALK
1

This had a vibrant darkish color. Pretty amazing for its age. Some nice fully resolved red fruits on the nose. Cherries with some black currant. The mouthful was soft and well structured. Age has been kind to this and the bottle size had to be at least in part responsible as well. There was a slight old cab quality in the nose, a sort of hint of reductiveness, but a beauty it was. The tannins were fully resolved and the fruit was still showing itself nicely. Lots of secondaries of soy, leather, and anise. A perfect foil for Steve’s famous Napa Cabernet braised short ribs! 92/100

Drank alongside a 1983, 1985, and 1987 Spottswoode Cabernets. The ‘83 was a tired old man. The ‘85 slightly more youthful, and the ‘87 the best of this group. There was a commonality of reductiveness on all. The 1984 was the rockstar. Not being the biggest fan of old wines, this was an interesting lineup indeed.

2

I had this from 750 last year and really enjoyed it!

3

When I went down to the cellar this morning, I realized I had misinformed you. The last wine we drank was a 1987, not a 1986. [blush2.gif]

4

Correction noted. Decanting in the dark again? You live dangerously!

What a great night of friends, wine and food. Thank you!

5

Sounds great! The 86, which I had in 1994, was the best American Cab I had ever drank til that point. I miss the old-style Spottswoodes.

6

Mike,

I’m cracking a Mag of the 1986 at Flannery Fest II. I’m with Roy, I truely think the 1986, along with the 1991 are the two best Spottswood’s ever produced.

7

Mike, I had the 84 slightly ahead of the 87 and wondered also if it was due to the bottle size alone. Nevertheless the 84 was quite enjoyable and had some years ahead of it yet. I’ve always enjoyed Spotts and it was a real treat to taste these with friends… My thanks also to Steve

8

Did you guys open the '86 after we left or did I just have too much of the double mag? Was that what we drank with the cheese?

I agree the '83 was a little over the hill, but it did have some nice old Cab qualities and there are many that would enjoy it. Certainly, it is time to drink up, unless you are a hard core necrophiliac.

The '84 was silky and very pretty. Great freshness on the fruit and nice secondary characteristics. There is no way that I would have said '84 if blind. Maybe '95. It is in a beautiful spot right now. I disagree with Mike on the mouthfeel. I’d say supple more than soft. Soft suggests that there is less structure than it actually showed.

The '85 was also quite lively, but I thought it seemed older than the '84. Not is a bad way, mind you. It was quite the relaxed, resolved, mature wine. Delicious now and it has plenty of life left.

I can’t tell you guys how amazing Steve’s short ribs were. Insanely good and a perfect match.

9

I messed up and said it was the '86, when it was really the '87. But yes, we drank the '87 after you left. Not to worry, though, there is more in the cellar. The '86, no. Just one, which is why I popped the '87. Next vertical will start with '86 and move up.

The '85 (and the last of the '84) was with the cheeses. Great picks by the way and thanks for bringing them.

10

Did you save the labels from the cheeses? I would love to remember what I brought.

Total convert to Murray’s though.

11

Sorry to say, no.

12

The good news is almost everything Murrays sells is awesome!
Next time try the Poddo Classico for yourself.