The fun of being a member at Grailey’s here in Dallas is that you get to taste really incredible wines, and a bunch of them, from other people’s cellars. I’ve tried dozens of big Napa cabs from the 70s and 80s, and a few from the 60s. I just don’t think they’re still hanging in there as the greatest wines. How can I know if the 02s, 97s, 01s, 91s, and 94s will be when they’re 40? So I’m stuck here. Mondavi Reserve from 74 was a really neat wine, but faded. I’ve had Eiseles and Backuses from the 80s from all sorts of bottle sizes. I’ve had Sunspots and Hillsides out the wazoo. Fun stuff. But who knows what time will tell. The most arresting wines I’ve had at tastings, some double blind and some not blind at all were:
I was mocking the things wine writers say and that winemakers say, usually when they are trying to sell wine.eg…vines need to suffer. This is a French concept.
Of course, some people say leaf roll virus is good because it slows ripening, but nobody says Pierce’s Disease is wonderful, except maybe a bunch of sharpshooters.
But about this loose claim that toxins have damaged vineyards in Northern California and that therefore the wines are not as good as it should be…impossible to prove or disprove and in any case I would like to see examples.
When i see wine quality suffer in a vineyard, usually there is a more simple explanation, like change of ownership, winemaking, PD, etc.
I have not had the '95 Insignia in many moons, so memory may be getting the better of me. As to the two vintages of SHSS, they aren’t even close at this point. Granted they are of different styles and Dominus has ten years of bottle age on them.
I’d say the 91 Dominus which I had about 4 years ago, is much better at this point than 1991 Ridge Monte Bello. At least in my opinion. I think the 91 Dominus is an exceptional wine, but is now soft and tailing. I’d not wait to drink it up, and think the 95 Insignia will be a longer lasting wine. They’re both exceptional wines that I’d love to drink any day.
i agree…'91 dominus is my favorite dominus ever! very different from '01/'02 shs or harlan. '91 dominus is very elegant and drinking almost like great bordx…however i do like '97 insigina as well.
Not can I say that my favorite wines on any given day would be my favorites on any other given day. Wine is subjective and this may be fun but contains no truth.
So many good wines. The 91s were spectacular. And there are the beauties from the late sixties (Mayacamas, Heitz and Chappelet). But of the more recent ilk, among those that have blown me away include:
87 Mondavi Reserve
91 Dominus
97 Harlan
01 Shafer HSS
03, 07 Scarecrow
01 Schrader (there might be better Schrader’s, but this was my first bottle ever bought from them and it hooked me in)
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