Consumed last night with steaks, salad and pasta in our backyard with friends. (Life is sweet!)
I never take notes. None-the-less I wanted to find out what others think about my impressions.
Well, the 97 is just a fantastic wine, probably in it’s prime drinking window. This was the best of 3 bottles I’ve had. And they were all pretty damn good. The 2004 is is a completely different experience. This was the 2nd 2004 I’ve had and it’s still carrying a heavy load of wood. (None of the 1997s I’ve had were nearly as wooded as this.)
I have to wonder about the difference of these two wines and particularly about the future of these 2004s. How long will it take to deliver like the 97? Will it that wood ever be tamed? Will I be dead by then?
Last week I had a wonderful 1986 and a wonderful 1991 and a promising 1994 that seemed way too young and needs more time. So, most likely the 2004 needs at least another decade - maybe a bit more.
So, my guess is the wood will be tamed and I hope that you are still alive when it happens.
Daniel,
Had a '97 about two months ago and concur - it was fantastic. Agree with Howard on the 2004.
Scot
I spoke to Bo Barrett at a tasting event last week about aging the Estate Cabs. He is currently drinking the 2004s and described 10yrs as the kickoff point of a slow almost dormant period of aging. The impression I got, was that he does not believe there is a substantial change after the 10 year mark.
It was a very interesting conversation kicked off by me trying to figure out an ideal time for a 10 vintage vertical tasting.
Most of the Montelena Estate Cabs I drink are from the 80’s and 90’s. They’re in varying stages of maturity (even the 1980 recently seemed to have years ahead of it, even though it is fully ready) and I am a big fan.
I had a 2002 Monty last year that seemed crazy oaky. A near tidal wave of wood that threatened to swamp everything else good about the wine. Incidentially, Parker re-rated this vintage around the same time and went ga-ga over it (and the auction price shot up immediately).
Maybe time will tame this oak treatment, but I have serious doubts that the classic Montelenas of the 80-90’s had anywhere near this much oak on release.