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| Cabernets From The 1980s |
Thursday February 20, 2003
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Speaker: Harriet Lembeck, Wine Educator and author
Fourteen Cabernets from California's golden decade of wine making. During this period California wine makers were finding their way, and innovation was the hallmark of the industry. It was interesting to see how these, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon wines have aged over the last 15-17 years. While, the favorite was an 1985, as a group, the 1986s scored better.
Wines are listed in the order of presentation. The 20 attendees were asked to vote for their three favorite wines in the tasting. Since the wines were purchased at auction and are currently unavailable, no prices are listed. Notes are a combination of the speaker and Jonathan Levine's.
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| Wine |
Votes |
Kenwood 1986, Artist Series
A lovely nose with an aroma of black fruit and spice. The color is still youthful. In the mouth there is still some tannic bite and hard edges. The wine is showing alcohol and acidity. 94% CS, 1% merlot and 5% Cab. Franc. |
0 |
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Carmenet 1986
Medium garnet color The aroma is new oak and dust. Tannic with a taste of bell pepper. The style of wine making prevalent in the 1980s. Concentrated and raisiny. A vegetarian taste and aroma. 90% CS. |
1 |
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William Hill Reserve 1986
A nice bright color and an bouquet of sweet fruit. The wine needed more aeration during the fermentation process. Improves in the glass. |
0 |
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William Hill Reserve 1985
Corked bottle with a better taste than aroma. Under the corkiness there is cedar and fruit. No vegetable notes. |
1 |
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Forman 1986
A floral nose with hints of cocoa in the background. Quite concentrated, On the palate one detects vanilla and spice. Soft, mouth filling, vigorous and very ripe. |
8 |
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Forman 1985
Still quite closed and young. Floral with accents of potpourri. A leathery and dense mouth feel with a hint of bell pepper. |
2 |
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Duckhorn 1985
94% CS, 4% Merlot and 2% Cab. Franc. Dark and dense in color which makes for a deep and rich looking wine. The aroma of violets and a slight earthiness. Hints of cinnamon. Elegant and forward, Well balanced and delicious. |
12 |
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Caymus 1987, Napa Valley
The brightest color of the three Caymus wines. The nose detects spicy fruit and notes of coconuts. Lots of acidity and a round mouth feel. |
8 |
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Caymus 1986 Estate
Light weight with an aroma of barnyard and mushroom notes. Nice structure.. The wine will still develop. |
9 |
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Caymus 1985 Estate
A more subdued color. The wine is showing some bottle age. Forward fruit with mushroom notes and a hint of celery. A mature wine. |
1 |
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Groth 1986
Very dark in color and concentrated sweet fruit. Easy drinking. Soft and pretty. Not as interesting as most of the others. 85% CS, 15% Merlot. |
4 |
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Mondavi Reserve 1986
Still youthful. 94% CS, 5% Cab Franc and 1% merlot.. The bouquet shows flowers, black fruit, toasted oak and exotic notes such as sandalwood.. The aroma jumps out of the glass. A very vigorous California styled wine. |
9 |
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Opus One 1986
More advanced in color. 87% CS, 4% Merlot and 9% Cab. Franc. The wine is softer and more subtle than the Mondavi. Laid back with a nice balance and an exotic elegance. |
9 |
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Dominus Estate, 1986
From Napanook Vineyard, 80% CS, 12% Cab. Franc and 8% Merlot. A forward nose that shows its French influence. A blockbuster that is still tannic.
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6 |
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