Opening some BD Cabs today, how long to decant each?

WINE TALK
1

I’m hosting a Father’s Day dinner today for my father, father inlaw, and two brother inlaw. I don’t subscribe to the “special event” mantra and try to open and enjoy my wine with everyone, wine geek or not.

That being said, I intend to open the '09 Congruence and the '11 Jean Edwards today. Both will be a first for me and will be a huge intro to better wines to most at the table. So, how long should I decant these two wines?

Dinner is planned for 4/4:30 EDT today.

Thanks in advance.

2

I would open them now and let them breathe. I prefer that to Decanting. If you must decant, I would suggest gently doing it for an hour. I have not had the 11 JE, but that is based on a bunch of 11’s (good and not as good I have had). Had the Congruence a few weeks ago. Drinking well.

3

Hi David - I believe you purchased our 2011 Oakville cabernet… we opened a bottle of this wine last evening. A 60 to 90 minute decant should work well but it won’t suffer with a bit more. Hope you enjoy it and happy father’s day!

Karen [cheers.gif]

4

David - I was out of town and away from the clutches of the interweb, but Loren covered it for me. Thanks, Loren. Looking forward to hearing your impressions.

Loren - Glad you enjoyed.

5

Sorry for the delay in responding.

Both were very well received by all. I opened them soon after Loren responded, Congruence was just popped and left to take on air and Jean Edwards was decanted in a wide based decanter.

I’m not very good at notes but here are my thoughts.

The '09 Congruence was ready to go right from the start and improved throughout the day and evening. Really dark in color and my wife was all about it, I got a reprieve from all the money I’ve spent from the last two BD’s. I was able to sneak a glass, glass and a half away before her and some guests took over here.

The '11 Jean Edwards needed the extra air time in the decanter in our opinion. Initially we thought it was herbal but it really opened up and began singing. Since my wife, father, and father inlaw really got into the Congruence, I had the pleasure of drinking a fair amount of the Jean Edwards. After several hours, probably close to 4 or 5, I thought this was in a really great place. No herbalness (is that a word) or green notes, just really easy to drink.

Both really well made wines that were very well received by those that took part and I’m happy to have two more bottles of each.

6

Thanks, David. No problem with taking some time. Glad to hear a reprieve was granted and I had something to do with it. [cheers.gif]

7

Thank you David. The 11 Napa CS you opened has 12% merlot and is (intentionally) softer in style and more old world than our other cabs (we also used less new treatment - around 45% new French oak and slightly less time in barrel). The herbal/savoury notes are the signature of the cab vineyard in St. Helena we used (bay, basil and sage - some get mint also). Glad you gave it some time to open up (from your experience it sounds like it may be a bit closed down right now as it usually only needs an hour or so to open up).

Karen

8

Just received some great news - the 2011 Napa Cab and our 2014 Dalla Gasperina Sauvignon Blanc (from Rutherford) will be served at the 8/11 dinner at the James Baeard House. Will make sure they give the cab a healthy decant!