Mark,
Many eighties Napa Cabs were a hundred percent Cabernet Sauvignon.
Togni, Dalla Valle Maya 1988, Opus 1 1987 and Dominus 1987 are Bordeaux blends!
I’d stick to 1985 and 1987, perhaps 1984, and look for Heitz, Mondavi, Silver Oak, Togni, Dunn, Forman, Phelps, and Mondavi Reserve from Napa, and Arrowood and Laurel Glen from Sonoma
IIRC, Heitz and Phelps had some brett issues in 1985.
No question that 85 Groth Reserve and 87 Mondavi Reserve would serve you well.
Interesting, never had a brett issue with Heitz.
How about do 85 Napa vs 85 Bordeaux?
Or 86?
The greatest cali cab I’ve had — and I’ve had some doosies — is probably the 87 Phelps Eisele. Had three times over a 10 year period and pretty mind blowingly good each time.
Just had the 87 Montelena Estate on Friday and everyone loved it. Just sensational. The 80 Monty can be surprisingly good as well.
I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed many an 80’s Dominus.
I should add the many spectacular bottles of 82 Diamond Creek from various vineyards.
For my mileage, the best Ridge cabs from the 80’s are the York Creek bottling, not the Monte Bello. I find the oak much better integrated/less obstrusive at York Creek, though Monte Bello can be special to be sure.
Good choice. Also, 1985 Mount Eden Pinot.
87 Dominus is probably the best I’ve had recently.
Did that some years ago. Winners Mouton, Cheval and Phelps Eisele
Truthfully most of the Diamond Creek wines from the 80s are drinking just amazingly right now. 81, 82 and 83 VH and GM are great. 84 RRT. All 3 89s as well. Also agree on the 82 Dunn HM and the 85 Groth reserve. 87 Mondavi Reserve. 84 Dominus. Montebello 84 and 85 as suggested. Mayacamas 85 as suggested and the Phelps wines - Eisele, Insignia and Backus.
The sleepers? Alghren 86 and 87 Bates Ranch are phenomenal. Patrick Campbell’s 86 Laurel Glen is special.
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While researching, I found 2 Mondavi Reserve 1987, one labeled unfiltered. Anybody taste the unfiltered?
I would be glad to Coravin a sample and let you know what I think. I am curious about this wine myself as I don’t recall trying it before. Wouldn’t be the first time I did that to a DM.![[cheers.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0ff9bfcdb0964982cd3240b6159868fbdf215b1a.gif "cheers"){kind=small}
Silver Oak ‘84 Napa, ‘85 Alexander