Enjoyed these wines while at my Dad’s home in Virginia, from his passive cellar:
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1984 Joseph Phelps Insignia - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/27/2009)
Took a long time to open up. Good, rich, minty fruit but a bit simple and short finish. Maybe just a slightly off bottle. (89 pts.) -
1977 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/27/2009)
Rich cabernet fruit, nutmeg aromas. Same on the palate, still some bold tannins, very long finish. Excellent! (93 pts.) -
1983 Château Gruaud Larose - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien (8/27/2009)
Full nose of currants, blackberry leaf, bell pepper, earthy. Mature, drinking well, fine and complex, good cabernet fruit, chambord, tannins resolved, nice finish. (92 pts.)
These were from a dinner with friends last week:
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1991 Ridge Monte Bello - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (8/21/2009)
From memory, the nose had nice lift of currants & cedar. On the palate, a little restrained, not fully together, maybe needed more air. Some recognizable anise that I get from a lot of 1991 cabs, red currants, still loads of tannins. Very good, but needs a long decant or more age. 92+ (92 pts.) -
1985 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow - USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain (8/21/2009)
Very elegant and classy wine. Long, rich, some exotic red fruit, tobacco leaf, drinking beautifully. A real beauty!
(Had this out of magnum in March '09 that wasn’t nearly as good, Dad’s bottle). (95 pts.) -
2000 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Washington (8/21/2009)
From magnum, decanted for about 2 hours. Tough call on this wine. Nose has dark fruits and baking spices. it is rich, good depth, balanced, with dark berries, plums, vanilla, cedar, and toffee. Strong, defined tannins. A well made wine, just not the style I look for. Still young, I think this will improve with additional aging. 93+ (93 pts.)
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