1985 California Cabernet Retrospective Mature Napa Treasures

If all be true that I do think,
There are five reasons we should drink:
Good wine - a friend - or being dry -
Or lest we should be by and by -
Or any other reason why.
Henry Aldrich 1647 - 1710

We are doing valuable scientific research here at the Wine Watch and this tasting is one of those that we are doing just to see how this supposedly great vintage is drinking at this point.  Before 1990 many of the California Cabernet Sauvignon wines were made by the old world model of picking to achieve 13% alcohol rather than making wines that are phenolicallyripe.

This phenolical ripeness is what everyone is looking for today and what many critics feel like the wines of yesteryear were missing.  We have done quite a few tastings with these older vintage California wines and feel that although the wines of today will be better wines in the long run because technology plays such an important role in making the wine and growing the grapes today leaving less to chance. 

But there are many that think there is something to be said for chance.  That these old school wines have more of a sense of place and that through technology we are robbing the wines of their individual and distinct character, therefore making everything taste more uniform.

Join us as we experience these vintage California wines from a bygone era of making wines from this potentially outstanding vintage.  Wine Watch Catering’s Toni Lampasone will be making a few small courses to accompany the tasting wines and the fee for this event is $195 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

1985 Vintage California Cabernet Retrospective at Wine Watch
Friday, March 30th
7pm

Flight One

1985 Cain Five Napa

(87 Points)  Very austere style that leans toward the cedar, cigar box spectrum of Caber net with plum and currant flavors firm and lean underneath. Finishes with a good dose of tannin. Has the structure for aging, and needs cellaring to reach its peak. Best after 1993.  Wine Spectator Issue: Jun 15, 1989

1985 Beringer Private Reserve

(90 Points)  Beringer's 1985 Private Reserve is a superb, fully mature (atypical for the vintage), medium to full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with an enticing, chocolatey, herb, blackcurrant-scented nose, rich, plump, expansive, sweet, jammy flavors, attractive spice, and a soft, lush finish. It has matured quickly for a 1985, but there is no rush to consume it as it reveals no signs of fatigue. It should hold at its current plateau for 5-10 years.  Wine Advocate #98, Apr 1995

1985 Caymus Special Selection

(91 Points)  Although outstanding, Caymus's 1985 did not live up to expectations in this tasting. It reveals a lavishly oaked, smoky, jammy, blackcurrant-scented nose, sweet, round, glycerin-imbued, full-bodied flavors, and excellent purity, ripeness, and length. Other bottles have been more concentrated and complex, but who's complaining? It was tasted in a flight with the 1985 Spottswoode and 1985 Joseph Phelps Eisele which may have overwhelmed it. The 1985 Caymus Special Selection is fully mature and capable of lasting 10-15 more years.  Wine Advocate #98, Apr 1995

Flight Two

 

1985 Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

(80 Points)  An herbal, earthy style, with velvety texture and generous flavors. Broad and flavorful, with more cedar and brown sugar than fruit. Seems early maturing, but it might not have the balance to outlast the '90s. Drink now. – Wine Spectator Issue: May 15, 1990

1985 Heitz Martha's Vineyard Napa

(94 Points)  In some tastings this wine has been controversial because it was alleged to have a damp, woody, musty character. In the March tasting (my seventh look at this brilliant wine), I found it once again to be clean and hardly controversial - unless explosive richness and ripeness, as well as gobs of sweet fruit presented in a full-bodied, powerful style are objectionable. The wine was more developed and open than I expected. The mint/eucalyptus character, which can be extremely intense in the Martha's Vineyard cuvee, was presented in a subtle fashion. Expansive and chewy, with superb ripe fruit and concentration, this wine should continue to drink well for 10-20 years.  Wine Advocate #98, Apr 1995

1985 Opus One Napa

(88 Points)  The 1985 Opus One has consistently performed between 88-90 points. It exhibits a healthy dark ruby color with no signs of age. The nose has not budged much from when it was first bottled. The delicate yet attractive fragrance of vanilla, herbs, cassis, and spices is followed by a sculptured, fruity, medium to full-bodied wine with crisp acidity, moderate tannin, and good depth. While very good, possibly excellent, it lacks the extra dimension of flavor and personality necessary to merit an outstanding rating. Drink it over the next 5-7 years. It seems to me that vintages since 1990 have been markedly superior.  Wine Advocate #98, Apr 1995

 

Flight 3

1985 Dunn Howell Mountain Napa

(90 Points)  Since my barrel tastings, I have never had as much enthusiasm for the 1985 regular bottling and the Howell Mountain. However, both are at least a decade away from maturity, with the Howell Mountain needing an additional 15 years, especially if it has been stored in a cool cellar. Both wines exhibit extremely dark, saturated purple colors, full body, and frightfully high tannin levels. They remain as closed and tightly knit as any Cabernet Sauvignon I have tasted. The Napa bottling was more attractive and easier to understand. The Howell Mountain offers a huge mouthful of highly extracted, sweet, chewy fruit buttressed by a formidable tannin level. These are unquestionably impressive wines that have been built for the long term. In retrospect, it seems to me that Dunn's Cabernets hit the highest peaks in the hottest vintages, such as 1982, 1984 and 1992.  Wine Advocate #98, Apr 1995

1985 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

(92 Points)  Consistently a low to mid-ninety point Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Montelena's 1985 remains frightfully backward at nearly ten years of age. The 1985, 1987, and 1991 have the potential to be three of the longest-lived Montelena Cabernets this fine winery has ever produced. In this tasting, the 1985 was unevolved and youthful, with an opaque ruby/purple color, and a closed but promising nose of cassis fruit, earth, minerals, and oak. Full-bodied, marvelously concentrated and pure, this highly extracted, muscular, blockbuster effort requires a minimum of 5-6 more years of cellaring. A candidate for 20-30 years of longevity, it should prove to be one of the great Montelena Cabernet Sauvignons, but patience is required.  Wine Advocate #98, Apr 1995

1985 Ridge Montebello Santa Cruz Mountains

(94 Points)  Along with the Dunn Howell Mountain and Chateau Montelena 1985s, Ridge's Monte Bello is among the most backward wines of the vintage, but it is so promising. I do not intend to touch another bottle before 2005 - it is still that youthful and closed. It offers a good education in what great young wine is all about. The beautiful ruby/purple color exhibits no signs of age. The sweet nose of cassis fruit, lead pencil, flowers, and minerals is followed by a full-bodied, opulent wine with a boatload of tannin. This huge, massive yet well-delineated and focused wine should prove to be uncommonly long-lived. Drink it between 2005-2030?  Wine Advocate #98, Apr 1995

 

Flight 4

1985 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23

(93 Points)  This wine is unquestionably one of the super-stars of the 1985 vintage. Previously, I have consistently rated it from the mid to upper nineties in all my tastings. In this tasting, the wine was atypically backward and not nearly as flattering and precocious as it has been. It exhibited some of the intense, exotic perfume (hickory smoke, blackcurrants, vanilla, and Asian spices) and sweet, opulent, fleshy palate it has always possessed, but the tannin was more noticeable and the wine was more structured, as well as extremely youthful and unevolved. This rich, full-bodied Cask 23 appears to have developed a greater sense of delineation. It may be even longer-lived than I initially expected. I suspect that if this particular bottle had not been stored in such a cold cellar (my own), the wine may have been more forward and advanced. This is a great, young, extremely complex and compelling California Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine that should age effortlessly for 15-20 years.  Wine Advocate #98, Apr 1995

1985 Joseph Phelps Eisele Vineyard

(93 Points) The backward 1985 Eisele Vineyard is marvelously concentrated, but extremely tannic and at least 5-10 years away from full maturity. Impressively endowed, well-focused, dense, powerful, thick, and tannic, this wine leaves little doubt that the extract, ripeness, and quantity of fruit are more than sufficient to balance out the wine's tannic ferocity. This is a huge, massive, stunningly proportioned Cabernet Sauvignon that should hit its stride by the turn of the century and last for two decades.  Wine Advocate #98, Apr 1995 

1985 Cardinale Napa/Sonoma

(97 Points)  You'd have to travel far to find a more complex and concentrated wine, from the first taste of currant, cherry and plum to the last waft of buttery oak and plum on the long finish. The extraordinary structure and integrated tannins should last beyond 2000. 1,000 cases made. –  Wine Spectator Issue: Nov 15, 1989,  Top 100: 1989, Rank: 5

Menu

Selection of cheeses: Parmigiano-Reggiano, Beemster Gouda, Roaring Forties Blue Cheese

Miso glazed Tuna steak with kimchi slaw

Cabernet Sauvignon Braised Beef Short rib with strong cheddar Potato Au Gratin and fresh English peas with dill weed

 

A bit about the 1985 vintage from the Robert Parker Jr.'s Wine Advocate:

 

1985 CALIFORNIA CAB RETRO (EXCELLENT NOT EXCEPTIONAL VINTAGE?)
Issue 98 - April 1995

In issue #49 (dated 2-23-87) stated that "1985 is the most exciting vintage for California Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in more than a decade." This statement was based on barrel tasting notes and discussions with wine producers who were thrilled with the long growing season and atypically cool August, which they claimed allowed the grapes to attain (1) full flavor maturity, (2) higher acidity than normal, and (3) lower sugar ratings. Certainly the barrel tastings revealed some mediocre wines, largely from the usual underachievers, but there were enough great wines to warrant considerable enthusiasm for the vintage. California wine writers Norman S. Roby and Charles E. Olken (authors of the excellent Connoisseur's Handbook of California Wines) said in the 1993 revised edition that this vintage was, "possibly the best since prohibition."

A blind tasting of sixty 1985s, followed by several mini-tastings of some of the less renowned wines of the vintage, in addition to significant tastings I have done of more recent top years of California Cabernet Sauvignons, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, leads me to conclude that 1985 is an excellent rather than extraordinary vintage. In the context of what has happened during the decade of the nineties, 1985 neither surpasses nor rivals the quality California achieved in the first four vintages of this decade. Some of the disappointments are the result of wines that were too high in acidity, without enough physiologically ripe flavor, and/or wines that were excessively fined, filtered, or otherwise manipulated, beaten up, and eviscerated at bottling. In the decade of the nineties, these traumatic procedures have been increasingly discredited, as evidenced by growing numbers of Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots that are the products of fully mature grapes, are acidified more gently, and are bottled with minimal fining and/or filtration.

While it may have appeared that the golden age of California Cabernet Sauvignons began with the wonderful quartet of vintages - 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1987, what has occurred more recently suggest that those four years were a mere prelude to the quality revolution.

Unquestionably, there are some great wines in the 1985 vintage. Most 1985s still appear very young (much more youthful and backward than the 1985 Bordeaux vintage). Although optimists will undoubtedly resist downgrading the 1985 vintage from exceptional to excellent, based on these recent tastings, there are too many compact, high acid wines for the vintage to merit an exceptional rating. However, as in any vintage, readers should avoid the temptation to pigeonhole 1985 in black and white qualitative terms. There are some superb wines, most of which have been exceptional since bottling, and were correctly identified when young.

—Robert Parker 

 

A few older vintage California Cabernet Sauvignon Available in the store.

 

1974 Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

(98 Points) I had this wine twice over a period of thirty days, rating it an astounding 99 and 98 points. A monumental California Cabernet Sauvignon, it appears to have approached its plateau of maturity but should easily last for 20-25 more years. There is no rust, amber, or brown to the saturated dark purple color. The spectacular, huge, Mouton-Rothschild-like nose of mint, cassis, lead pencil, and toast is remarkably youthful. Staggeringly concentrated, this full-bodied, super-rich wine possesses moderate tannin, fresh, lively acidity, and a blockbuster, rich, fleshy finish. This is a monumental effort! Wine Advocate # 94, Aug 1994

Price: $1050.00                  Sale $924.00                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1986 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 3 Liter

(90 points) The fully mature, open-knit 1986 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is totally delicious. The color is dark garnet with some amber at the edge. The big, sweet, licorice, earthy, jammy, black fruit-scented nose is followed by a full-bodied, sweet, expansive, chewy wine with no hard edges. The acidity and tannin are both well-integrated in this plump, sumptuous Cabernet Sauvignon that should drink well for 5-6 more years.
The tasting notes for this section are from two single blind tastings, one conducted in May, 1996, in California, and the other in June, 1996, in Baltimore.  Wine Advocate #106  Aug 1996

Price: $320.00                    Sale $281.60                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1986 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain MAGNUM

(95 points) Two of the most impressive wines in these tastings, both of Dunn's 1986s tasted like 3-4-year old Cabernets rather than 10-year old adolescents. The opaque purple-colored 1986 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain offers awesome richness, mindboggling intensity, huge tannin, a massive mouthfeel, and a closed yet formidably long, well-endowed finish. This wine could be put in a tasting of 1994 California Cabernets and not stand out as a 10-year old wine. Give it another 5-7 years of cellaring and drink it over the subsequent 25-30 years ... amazing!
The tasting notes for this section are from two single blind tastings, one conducted in May, 1996, in California, and the other in June, 1996, in Baltimore.  Wine Advocate #106 Aug 1996

Price: $375.00                    Sale $330.00                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1986 Opus One

(91 points)Deep brick colour. Appealingly evolved nose of leather, game, tobacco, espresso, stewed prunes, bacon and tea. The palate still provides a good amount of elegant fruit that builds in the mouth. Light to medium level of silky tannins remain with medium to high acidity to provide freshness. Long finish. Fully mature. Should keep a further 2-3 years. Tasted April 2009. robertparker.com In Asia # 0709 Jul 2009 Reviewer Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Price: $382.50                    Sale $336.60                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1986 Dominus Estate Red Napa

(93 points) I did not pick this out as Dominus in the blind tasting, largely because it came across as such a young, rich, blockbuster wine. One of the richest, densest, most concentrated offerings in the entire tasting, it also proved to be one of the best-balanced, with better integration of acidity and tannin than many 1986s exhibited. The color remains a deep, dark ruby, with purple hues. Dense, concentrated, and pure, with copious quantities of cassis fruit intermingled with earth, spice, and minerals, this large-scaled, concentrated wine appears to have aged at a glacial pace since I first tasted it. Accessible because of its well-integrated, low acidity, this wine should continue to evolve and drink well for another 15-20 years. Very impressive.  Wine Advocate # 106 Aug 1996

Price: $142.00                    Sale $124.96                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1987 Caymus Special Select Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

(89 Points) The Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, which spends significant time in oak, can be one of California's most riveting wines. First made in 1975, there have been some exceptionally concentrated, powerful wines that are still young and evolving (i.e, the 1978, 1976, and 1975). The decade of the eighties produced less profound Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignons, with the exception of the 1984 and 1985. Since then, the wine has moved to less of a blockbuster style, with the emphasis on more elegance, without sacrificing the wine's richness and intensity. I have not tasted the 1989 Special Selection, but both the 1988 and 1987 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignons are noticeably lighter and less intense than previous vintages. Nevertheless, the 1987 is still an excellent wine with its rich, oaky, cassis and spicy nose, creamy-textured, medium to full-bodied flavors, and moderately long finish. I would drink the 1987 over the next 7-10 years. Wine Advocate # 89, Oct 1993

Price: $150.00                    Sale $132.00                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1987 Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

Price: $75.00                       Sale $66.00                          (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1987 Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

(91 points)  Classic Martha's--minty, spicy, elegant and aging exceptionally well. Shows off plenty of flavors, with currant, black cherry, anise, cedar and plum.--1978 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2004. –JL
Issue: Nov 15, 1998  Wine Spectator

Price: $128.00                    Sale $112.64                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1987 Grace Family Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

(94 points)  Probably the best Grace of the 1980s. A supple, showy wine with a bounty of silky currant, plum and spicy Cabernet flavors. Shows a wonderful sense of harmony and finesse, finishing with a long, complex aftertaste.--1987 California Cabernet horizontal. Drink now through 2004. –JL   Issue: Dec 15, 1997   Wine Spectator

Price: $325.00                    Sale $286.00                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1988 Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

(88 points)  Ripe and smooth, with generous chocolate and spice overtones to the plum, prune and currant aromas and flavors. Has a light, airy texture typical of the 1988 vintage. The flavors are precise and appealing, and the finish is long. Drinkable now through 1997. –   Issue: Mar 31, 1993    Wine Spectator

Price: $70.00                       Sale $61.60                          (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1988 Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

(87 points)  Firm and focused, lacking the depth and richness of Martha's in a great vintage, but has a crisp texture and tree bark overtones to the nicely turned-out currant and black cherry flavors. An elegant wine that might be better after 1997. 3,582 cases made. –    Issue: Mar 31, 1993   Wine Spectator

Price: $117.00                    Sale $102.96                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1989 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma

(89 points) Firm, chunky and intense, with a meaty core of currant, mineral, cedar, earth and sage flavors, finishing with a still-immense core of tannins and good length, missing just finesse.--1989 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2007. 2,700 cases made. –JL Issue: Aug 31,1999

Price: $60.00                       Sale $52.80                          (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1989 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Reserve

Price: $95.00                       Sale $83.60                          (Quantity in Stock: 12)

 

1990 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Magnum

(93 Points) The 1990 Napa Cabernet exhibits a Graves-like bouquet of tobacco, cassis, minerals, and spice. Chewy and full-bodied, with stunning extraction of fruit, this velvety wine should drink well for 12-15 years. This wine, first reviewed in issue #89, is repeated to remind readers that the 1990 Silver Oak Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley and Napa cuvee, as well as the 1989 Bonny's Vineyard Cabernet have finally been released. Wine Advocate #95, Oct 1994

Price: $395.00                    Sale $347.60                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1990 Dalla Valle Maya Napa

(96 Points) The 1990 Maya (almost equal proportions of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon) is a monster in the making. Its super-saturated, opaque black/ruby color is followed by a tight but promising nose of earth, cassis, smoke, and gobs of sweet fruit. In the mouth it is even richer, as well as more tannic than the regular Cabernet. The finish is long, sweet, and compelling.
Dalla Valle's spectacular 1991s will not be released for another year. As impressive as these wines are, the 1990s have a slight edge at present. Wine Advocate # 89, Oct 1993

Price: $675.00                    Sale $594.00                       (Quantity in Stock: 4)

 

1990 Caymus Special Select Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

(94 points) The 1990 Cabernet Sauvignon-Special Selection appears to be the best Caymus has produced since 1986 and 1985. Two thousand, six-bottle cases will be released in February, 1994. The wine offers a saturated, dark purple color, and a rich, spicy, oaky nose backed up by generous quantities of jammy blackcurrants. Ripe, highly extracted, and full-bodied, with copious amounts of sweet tannin and layers of fruit, this is a knock-out, flamboyantly-styled Cabernet for drinking over the next 15 or more years. Wine Advocate # 89 Oct 1993

Price: $171.00                    Sale $150.48                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1990 Silverado Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Release Napa

(97 points)  Amazing fruit purity and depth to this stunning wine (though one bottle tried tasted drier and tannic), rich with bright, sharply focused black cherry, currant, plum, anise and cedary tobacco, showing concentration and complexity.--California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2015. 2,994 cases made. –JL   Issue: Feb 28, 2001     Wine Spectator

Price: $90.00                       Sale $79.20                          (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1990 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain MAGNUM

The massive 1990 Howell Mountain exhibits huge tannin, but immense concentration. The richest Dunn Cabernet since the 1984s? Anticipated maturity: 1999-2020. At this early stage, it does not appear to be as super-concentrated as Dunn's wines from the early and mid-eighties. It is slightly more tannic. It does possess a tell-tale mineral, cassis, flowery nose, and a rich, full-bodied, dense, highly extracted, tannic personality.  Wine Advocate #89  Oct 1993

Price: $295.00                    Sale $259.60                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1990 Pahlmeyer Red Blend Caldwell Vineyard Napa MAGNUM

Price: $250.00                    Sale $220.00                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1990 Arrowood Cabernet Reserve Speciale Sonoma Magnum

(95 points) Young and smoky, with an elegant band of spicy pear, apricot, toasty oak and buttery nuances. Finishes with a long, complex aftertaste. Burgundy.--Chardonnay Challenge. –JL Issue: Nov 15, 1997

Price: $200.00                    Sale $176.00                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1990 Grace Family Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

(94 Points) Dark and maturing, with complex black cherry,coffee, wild berry, stewed plum, cedar and anise flavors that are concentrated and elegant.Finishes with mild but sufficient tannins. Drinks exceptionally well now.--California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2010. 154 cases made. –JL Issue: Feb 28, 2001

Price: $325.00                    Ssale $286.00                     (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1991 Grace Family Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

(89 Points) A soft, elegant, medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, the Grace Family Vineyards' 1991 lacks the concentration and intensity of the winery's marvelous past efforts. Nevertheless, there are generous amounts of rich, black-cherry, and cassis fruit, a gentle touch of toasty new oak, and a velvety finish. It is a Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next decade. Wine Advocate # 93 Jun 1994

Price: $225.00                    Sale $198.00                       (Quantity in Stock: 3)

 

1991 Duckhorn Merlot Napa 3 Liter

Price: $390.00                    Sale $343.20                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1991 Arrowood Cabernet Reserve Speciale Sonoma Magnum

Price: $200.00                    Sale $176.00                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1991 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Bonny's Vineyard Napa

Price: $149.00                    Sale $131.12                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1991 Harlan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

(98 Points) This is a profoundly great wine. It came across in a blind tasting as one of the most remarkable wines there, with most tasters mistaking it for a first-growth Medoc. The wine revealed an opaque purple color, a fabulously complex, sweet nose of minerals, fruitcake, cedar, toasty new oak, and pure blackcurrant fruit. Although huge in the mouth, the wine is remarkably well-balanced, with its high tannin level well-concealed by copious quantities of sweet ripe fruit, as well as huge amounts of glycerin and extract. I have consistently rated the 1991 Harlan Estate in the mid to upper nineties, but in this blind tasting with so many high quality wines, it was a big-time winner. Approachable now, this wine should be at its best by the turn of the century and last for 2-3 decades.

Price: $825.00                    Sale $726.00                       (Quantity in Stock: 3)

 

1991 Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

(88 points) Soft, rich and elegant, with a sense of delicacy and finesse to the ripe cherry, plum and currant flavors. Finishes with fleshy tannins and good length.--'81/'91 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2006. –JL Issue: Web Only - 2002

Price: $125.00                    Sale $110.00                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1991 Niebaum Coppola Rubicon Napa

(94 points) Ultrarich and concentrated, with impeccable balance. Deep and complex, with layers of cedar, currant, anise, blackberry, sage and mineral, very plush at points yet firmly tannic and structured.--'81/'91 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2016. –JL Issue: Web Only - 2002

Price: $142.00                    Sale $124.96                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1992 Bryant Family Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

(91 Points) Over the next year readers should be on the lookout for some of the 1,000 case production of Don Bryant's Cabernet Sauvignon from an old vineyard on Pritchard Hill near the Chappellet Vineyard. Bryant's 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon offers an impressive black/purple color, rusty tannin, immense concentration, full body, and enormous richness in the finish. Wine Advocate # 99 Jun 1995

Price: $370.00                    Sale $325.60                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1992 Harlan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

(96 Points) The newest release, the 1992, offers a dense purple color, and a splendid sweet nose of minerals, blackcurrants, toast, and spice. Opulent and rich, with full body, and well-integrated sweet tannin, this expansive yet graceful wine possesses layers of flavor that caress the palate. The wine is accessible, yet still youthful and unformed. It should drink well for 20+ years. Dazzling wines! I urge interested readers to get their names on the winery's mailing list if they want to purchase these wines. Wine Advocate # 108, Dec 1996

Price: $740.00                    Sale $651.20                       (Quantity in Stock: 2)

 

1992 Arrowood Cabernet Reserve Speciale Sonoma Magnum

Price: $200.00                    Sale $176.00                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1992 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Lake Vineyard Napa

Price: $325.00                    Sale $286.00                       (Quantity in Stock: 1)

 

1992 Ernest & Julio Gallo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma

Price: $82.00                       Sale $72.16                          (Quantity in Stock: 6)

 

1992 Beaulieu Vineyards Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Napa

( 89 points ) The 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve is a stylish, polite, elegant Cabernet with a healthy ruby color, medium body, and an attractive, understated set of aromatics. Although not extracted or particularly powerful, this wine offers considerable charm, elegance, and ripe fruit in a medium-bodied, silky-textured format. In spite of its accessibility, it promises to last for 10-15+ years. Interestingly, the wine is now aged in 32% new French oak as opposed to the old practice of aging the wine in 100% American oak. The difference is apparent in the more subtle integration of oak in the wine's aromatics and flavors.  Wine Advocate # 104 Apr 1996

Price: $75.00                       Sale $66.00                          (Quantity in Stock: 1)