TN: 2009 Cal Cabs so bad, they move me to doggerel

[John_Morris]

@Chris Seiber

I think traditionally, you see high ripeness/alcohol go hand in hand with a lot of new oak, plus then the higher alcohol extracts more from the oak, so the distinction is blurred between which of the characteristics of the wine are the result of the oak versus which are the result of the grape ripeness.

I think you’re right on that, Chris. The interaction is a big factor.

[Mike_Evans]

@John Morris

@Chris Seiber

I think traditionally, you see high ripeness/alcohol go hand in hand with a lot of new oak, plus then the higher alcohol extracts more from the oak, so the distinction is blurred between which of the characteristics of the wine are the result of the oak versus which are the result of the grape ripeness.

I think you’re right on that, Chris. The interaction is a big factor.

I’ll third this to some degree, with a twist. I’m more tolerant of oak if the wine is more savory, and more tolerant of ripeness if the wine shows little oak, but sweet fruit and sweet oak is almost always unpleasant to me, and that combination is far too common for my taste.