TN: 2002 Mount Eden Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

WINE TALK
1

My first tasting note on WB, and on a Cabernet at that. Who’d a guessed? Glad to be making a debut here.

2002 Mount Eden Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Bottled (6/25/2009)
This began with some simple red fruits on the nose and a juicy palate, but after several hours of double-decanting, developed to show some black currant fruit with a hint of pepper, enough to add something but not enough to distract. This was a midweight on the palate and its initial forward juiciness receded into a much more linear palate impression, very smooth and light on its feet. The back end displayed a very moderate tartness as some acidity and tannins made their presence known. These tannins are quite fine, though, and they don’t really clamp down on the wine at this stage. The finish is moderate in length and reprises some of the peppery notes from the nose, but it is not terribly complex. That, in fact, captures this wine more generally at this stage: it is well balanced and proper, but still showing a version of its youthful character. It still needs time for this to relax into the notes that make aged Cabernet interesting.

2

Way to go Jamie. Keep posting notes. Thanks for the thoughts on the 02. I am a fan of Mt Eden cabs in general.

Jason

3

I’m a fan too, but as I recall great chunks of the vineyard were replanted, explaining the lack of Old Vine Reserve for the past several years. Memory tells me 1999 was the last one. The younger vines also might explain the lack of complexity.

I do know I had a 1973 in its 25th year that was donated to me by Charlie Olken of the CGCW. It was nothing short of stunning.

4

Thanks for the info. Did they become diseased?

5

I don’t remember, Jason. It may have been that they were just getting old - as in 50+ years, which is old for a cabernet vine. Why zinfandel keeps on producing like a champ at age 100 is one of life’s great mysteries . . . at least it is to me.

6

Nice first note Jamie! Keep it up.
I like this one too. Even better down the road.

7

I think I have one bottle of this left, my last one I opened I remember enjoying a lot, maybe 6 months ago.

1999 was the last year for the Old Vines reserve cab. I don’t remember exactly why, I think the vines were just not productive enough to make it worth it.

(Disclaimer, I used to work for the MD wholesaler of Mt. Eden, and love the wines!) (I wish i had bought some of the 99 OV Cab before it was gone [swearing.gif] )

8

The OV designation was to distinguish it from the new planting (Lathweissen Ridge Vyd.), which was planted in '87. I believe it was in the mid-'90s that they began replanting the old vineyard. Anyway, their best grapes go into the “Estate” bottling. Presumably, the '00 was then from predominantly 13 year old vines.

9

Thanks for the information, Wes. I suppose the relatively young vines here might explain the shortage of complexity here. But I do think this will benefit from some further aging. It’s now a slightly leaner version of itself at release, but it seems to have some more material to resolve, and particularly the balance to keep it in fine form for a good while yet.