In no order
1973 Sterling Cabernet Reserve
1969 BV BdL
1974 Mondavi Cabernet Reserve
1991 Yarra Yering Dry Red No. 1
1982 Phelps Insignia
1994 Quilceda Creek Cabernet and 1993 Kalin Chardonnay Cuvee LD are worth mentions as well.
Were those first two from your dad’s shop?
1971 Ridge York Creek Petite Sirah
1974 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
1995 Edmunds St. John Durrell Vineyard Syrah
1997 Shafer Hillside Select
1968 BV GdL
I thought about some more recent wines, but will see how things such as Littorai, Ceritas, A-R, Lagier Meredith, Wind Gap, etc. stand more the test of time.
3 pages and not one bottle of Dunn, surprising…
Thanks !!1 left-I’ve got 750s in the walk-in !
I’ve never had one that was ready to drink - an '86 Howell Mountain consumed last year was still brutally tannic.
Has anyone had a mature Dunn that was ready to drink?
Post #25, check!
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1987 Phelps Eisele
1985 Phelps Insignia
1991 Montelena Estate Cabernet
1984 Dominus
1993 Dunn Howell Mountain
P.S. I had the 85 and 87 Dunn HM cabs recently and they still need more time and/or lack the innate charm of the 93.
Yes! Had a 1988 Napa Valley a couple of months ago, and it was great.
1949 Woodleys Treasure Chest Coonawarra “Claret”
1963 Mildara Coonawarra Cabernet (aka Peppermint Pattie)
1962 Penfolds Bin 60A
1941 Yalumba Galway Claret
1946 Seppelts Great Western Sparkling Burgundy
The 88 Dunn napa might be the best wine of that vintage. The 89 Dunn HM might be the best wine of that vintage.
Someone asked if they had a mature Dunn. The 82 napa I gave an honorable mention was just about perfect. Worthy of its 95 pt rating. I had it probably 7 years ago.
Again, I am just a little surprised by the Cabernet love. A massive percentage of votes are going that way, but Cabernet seems to get a smaller percentage of love in post-count on WB. So, do we just drink fewer cabs, but the best ones hit the highest levels for berserkers? Or maybe our greatest wine experiences tend to be older wines, which lends itself to Cabernet? Or something else?
I suspect that if we polled “What is your favorite variety in the New World?” that Cabernet wouldn’t poll nearly as well. Maybe I’ll set that up.
Not ready yet!
I’ve had a number of fantastic Dunns, the 85 napa was fantastic and perfectly ready a few years ago. Just didn’t make my top five
What Jay said, basically. I’ve had a few others that seemed “ready” (usually the Napa bottlings), but I dunno if they’d make my list, as good as they were.
Hard (for my tastes) to top a bottle of old Mount Mary or Wendouree any day.
Some of my favorites from the past:
1968 BV Private Reserve
1968 Heitz Marthas
!974 Heitz Marthas
1974 Mayacamas
1992 Mt Eden Chardonnay
1991 Togni
1991 Ridge Monte Bello
1978 Santa Cruz Mountain Cabernet Bates Ranch
1982 Dunn Howell Mountain
1986 Thackrey Orion
Not sure that view is universally held (though my experience is based on precisely zero bottles drunk). I’ve heard the Monfortino is a great wine.
•2006 Alban Vineyards Syrah Lorraine - USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley (12/22/2013)
Mini Offline at Mike’s featuring Alban; 12/21/2013-12/22/2013 (Minneapolis, MN): Top five wine of the year and gives new meaning to the phrase LONG FINISH. Consumed 2 glasses over the course of 3 hours. Bacon, blackberries, charcoal, glycerin and exotic spices. Up front heat was a bit of an issue but blew off. This is a big time wine and one that will evolve for a decade or more. This would compare nicely against any of the Big Aussie wines we drank back in November. Outstanding! (97 points)
•2005 Tim Smith Wines Shiraz Reserve - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (7/10/2010)
Stewartwent did we taste the same bottle? This is a top five wine of all time for me and I know how to review wines.
Dark purple with truffles, cedar, black pepper, and blackberries on the nose. Amazing complex palate and finish with truffles, black pepper, blueberries, oak, spice, and super long finish. This is one of the best Aussie Shiraz wines of the decade. (97 points)
•2006 Mollydooker Shiraz Velvet Glove - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale (1/14/2010)
Color: Black
Nose: Big and powerful with spice, blackberries, violets, coffee jumping out of the glass
Taste: WOW! Spice, meat, coffee, floral, some eucalyptus, and concentrated fruits
Finish: Super long and intense with some much going on
Evaluation: This is a special wine and was the only one of the tasting to over stimulate my palate. Top 3 wines of all time!!! 97+ points (97 points)
•1998 Fox Creek Shiraz Reserve - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale (4/22/2008)
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Rich and opulent. Blackberry, oak, plum, black pepper
Taste: Violets, oak, black pepper, spice, blackberries, raspberries, vanilla, and integrated tannins.
Finish: Oak, spice, black pepper, blackberries, vanilla, and a buttery finish that lasts for over 3 minutes. Super complex wine and balanced!
One of the best Aussie wines I have ever tasted. (97 points)
•2004 Achával-Ferrer Malbec Finca Altamira - Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, La Consulta (3/2/2010)
Decanted 2 hours. Dark purple. Nose is amazing with floral, blueberries, perfume, and subtle spices. The palate is showing blueberries, espresso, spices, floral and earth. Medium finish and this wine is extremely balanced. This is the best South American Wine I have ever tasted! Thank you Parker Board for the $40 a bottle price!!! (96 points)