The UK chain Oddbins were responsible for a lot of my early wine education. At the start of the 90’s you could buy top Austalian wine for very good prices and they had a few special shops that sold small amounts of high end stuff. They also pulled off a number of deals with wine makers and managed to get “special wines” eg 1993 Penfolds Cellar Selection Shiraz. In those days they used to have a price list that featured drawings by Ralph Steadman. Ralph was popular and I remember that they actually used his drawings on some of their own wines. Not seen a bottle for years, but 2 weeks ago I was at a friends house in Belgium and I helped him take some wine down to the cellar. Most of the wine in the cellar was supermarket stuff, but in the bottom corner of 1 rack I found this, which had been brought over from the UK many years ago
1989 Cataclysm Paso Robles Cabernet, made for Oddbins by J. Lohr
On the back of the label there is a story that the grapes were harvested on the day of the 1989 San Fransisco earthquake and that the vines were hauled up soon afterwards as they never got over the shock - they were replaced by Merlot. Its only 12% in alcohol and fairly light in colour, but with no bricking. Quite a complex wine with a cigar box nose, plenty of raspberry fruit and a touch of cold tea, which indicates age to me. Its moderately intense and has the feel of a fine old claret, just passed its premium drinking window. I doubt very much the makers expected this wine to be kept so long, but its lasted well and its both interesting and fun. Still 1 left in Brads cellar and I hope he drinks it up this summer. Yum. 88pts