Man, you literally can’t beat well-aged, old-school Napa cabs when they’re on! Cork had obvious signs of past seepage but it poured a beautiful dark crimson color with almost zero bricking and exploded with aromas of cinnamon and red fruits, so I had a good feeling we were in business. On the palate it was exactly what I was hoping for tonight. Full of smokey dark cherries, cassis, and maybe just a hint of autumn leaves. Still shockingly primary in regards to the fruit, but perfectly integrated and drinking at a level that can only be achieved with extended bottle age. I forget what I paid for this at auction, but it was VERY reasonable, especially considering how well it showed! Cheers to wines that exceed expectations 
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my lord that color!
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YES, that color!! Wow, for a 1980 wine! never would have guessed by looking.
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Right!! Literally looks like a new release. Wild!!
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Nice one Rich!
Tasted at Girard 10 years ago. They were one of the tasting rooms that stayed open late, 6 or 7 PM. That was my first trip to Napa.
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Awesome find Rich. You’ve got a knack for finding great aged cali cabs that wildly overdeliver.
Really makes you question whether these new wines 1) will go the distance and 2) are worth their asking price
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Even under Vintage Wine Estates, it was a solid performer. They were in that funny price range for Napa - a little expensive for the tourist, but not enough to be perceived as playing in the sandbox.
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That’s awesome - cool memory I’m sure! How was the property?
Thanks Rohit - really appreciate it buddy! And it’s definitely nice when you find a good one that over-delivers! Of course there’s plenty that don’t…but bottles like this make it worth it!
And i totally agree. I hope these newer cabs will age well (and i do think many will)…but then i open a super disappointing bottle like the 2009 Tor 337 Beckstoffer To Kalon a few months ago and it gives me pause. Only one way to find out i guess, ha!
Yep that sounds about right! I wonder how recent vintages are drinking? This is the first one I’ve had in a long time.
It was literally just a drop in to their tasting room. Wines were good. I took some home and opened them a couple years back. Never been back for a tasting though.
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Great find. Never had a wine by Girard, but have had a bunch of 1980 Cabs and very much liked the vintage. I always thought the vintage was a bit underrated. Glad you found a good one.
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Thanks Howard! And i agree on the 1980 vintage…although i might be a bit biased considering it’s my birth-year 
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I don’t remember when it opened, maybe about 6 years ago, but they dropped a large pile of cash on a new building and tasting space, fairly far up Valley. It was posh and generic, like a Four Seasons lobby. They also did a lot of white labeling there, IIRC for Costco/Kirkland.
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Great note and no surprise that the wine held up. I’ve always liked Girard, posted a few years ago on the 1991, which was singing.
My supply of aged Napa Cab continues to dwindle and I don’t know where to restock.
Can any board members suggest auctions that have stuff like this at reasonable prices?
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Mine is free when you visit.
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1980 was an extremely underrated vintage in California. Big, strapping wines, so tightly wound with prominent tannins. Girard was hot new name back then and I remember selling this wine in the mid eighties. It was a frickin’ monster. I was a huge fan of Girard’s Chardonnays back then as well.
Great note Rich! I just love your posts on the older wines.
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Got curious and went on their website. They’ve got a good array on offer.
The basic Napa Cab is $40, which if it’s made like they used to make 'em would be a really great deal to lay down. They’ve got a good half-dozen regional Cabs (Sauvignon and Franc) all price at ~$120 - 150, but $40 for their basic sounds like the ticket.
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Ahhh, that’s awesome Thomas! I was really curious how this wine drank in it’s youth, so i really appreciate you posting! That makes sense it was a bigger wine as it’s labeled as 14% abv…which feels somewhat low compared to current cabs but definitely higher than most from that time period (which are usually more in the 12% range).
Thanks again Thomas - really appreciate it!