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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 89.6 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 113 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Cailles on 5/1/2024 & rated 93 points: 23x California 1974: Do the legendary 1974s still hold up? The answer is a resounding YES, and not just for one or two top wines, but across the board. These best wines showed incredible complexity, with still vibrant fruit cores perfectly complemented by layers upon layers of tertiary aromas, a fully intact structural frame, stature, poise, and freshness. While many of these wines should continue to age well, I don't expect them to get any better than they are now. The top wines in the tasting were the Mondavi Cabernet and the Phelps Insignia (both 97pts), the Mondavi Reserve and the Mount Eden (both 96pts), and the Ridge Monte Bello (95pts). Many more wines scored in the 90-94 point range. I'm convinced that many wines would have scored even higher in a different tasting setting, where you can follow the wine over the course of an evening. Only 5 of the 24 bottles showed signs of weakness, with 1 of those already oxidized, but given the substance that could be tasted underneath, this is more likely due to weak corks or poor storage than anything nature delivered this year. All the wines had very good fill levels and had been quickly double decanted before tasting to remove the sediment.
TN: We had this twice, a regular bottle (90pts) which had a wonderful nutty, malty nose with a beautiful fruit core and some minerality. but was a bit simple on the palate. Rather one to drink up. Then we had it from a Jeroboam, which had a less intriguing nose but an impressive palate presence with a beautiful dark fruit sweetness, so much fresh fruit, mint and earthy notes, a fine structure and good freshness. Due to the bottle size It was much younger and still shows so much density and potential. On the other hand, it didn’t have the beautiful tertiary aromas of the regular bottle. (251 views) | | | Tasted by seijaro on 4/11/2024 & rated 90 points: Can't give the wine itself more than 90, but we enjoyed it more than that... maybe it's the memories of one of the great California pioneers. Amazing that it's 50 years old and still an enjoyable wine. A treat to drink and remember with 1974 Phelps Martha's Vineyard and Mondavi Reserve, two 100-point wines. (272 views) | | | Tasted by HeavyPourWine on 2/23/2024 flawed bottle: Dinner at Ember with Brian and Rosemany Talley and friends (Arroyo Grande, CA): Bought three different '74 Napa cabs for my birthday celebration. This bottle was way past peak and was barely drinkable. Poured most of it out. Brad - heavypourwine.com (641 views) | | | Tasted by G_H on 2/2/2024 & rated 96 points: A 1974 Napa Retrospective (Zunfthaus zur Waag Zürich): From a 5 Liter bottle, this was one of the stars of the night for me.
The color alone showed us that we would be experiencing a different animal. While the regular bottle had clear amber and brick edges, this had a dark purple and very intense color. In the nose it was young, sexy and fruit driven with a hint of eucalyptus. Great body and long finish. What a delight! (673 views) | | | Tasted by G_H on 2/2/2024 & rated 92 points: A 1974 Napa Retrospective (Zunfthaus zur Waag Zürich): From a 0.75l bottle this showed how I expected it to. Towards the end of its maturity, irish moss, chocolate, nice sweetness and a good length, but should be drunk up.
The 5 Liter that was also opened told a very different story and was still incredibly youthful. (643 views) | | | Tasted by aaronwine on 3/31/2023 & rated 92 points: Upon opening could sense the power of the vintage with deep fruit that is certainly fading. Lengthy finish. Day two this was more oxidized, lost it's bouquet but added some mid palette. Seemingly on the downward slope. (1738 views) | | | Tasted by Matt T on 3/30/2023 & rated 92 points: Wonderful nose. Really nice fill on this. A fairly light color, but no evidence of bricking. Fading a bit, but still showing fruit with a long, elegant finish. (1447 views) | | | Tasted by RockinCabs on 12/12/2022 & rated 88 points: Score based on the first 30 mins or so where this was very nice. Plummy, rich cabernet that has Rutherford dust, excellent sweetness, rich cassis, spice and fig cake. Tanzer note is on the money. Would love to get a pristine bottle of this.
However, over the hour or so it was open an oxidative note grew to take over. (2032 views) | | | Tasted by englishman's claret on 12/11/2022: Too bad - pretty good nose of plump fruit, caramel, and Rutherford dust but oxidation on the palate, building and worsening over time, eventually overwhelming the nose. Alas. (2851 views) | | | Tasted by mclanew on 10/14/2022 & rated 89 points: Popped and poured. Took 20 min to come together. In decline but still hanging in there. Medium to full bodied. Plum, smoke, barnyard, rounded. Based on this bottle drink asap. (1863 views) | | | Tasted by mclanew on 2/25/2022 flawed bottle: Over the hill (1883 views) | | | Tasted by GrapeScott on 1/2/2022 flawed bottle: I knew well about the bottle variation that plagues this wine, but with a base neck fill from what I suspect may have been a cellar-direct auction purchase, I rolled the dice. Unfortunately, this time I crapped out. Muddy, rusty color, and also badly maderized. Undrinkable. Hope the other bottle shows better (couldn't really be worse though). (2110 views) | | | Tasted by Nanda on 11/5/2021 & rated 92 points: Ethereal dried cherry, dried plum, leather and wet mulch aromas. Light to medium boiled with silky texture and plenty of sweetness to the fruit. Forty-seven years young and should hold for 5-10 years at this level. (2131 views) | | | Tasted by Neecies on 8/4/2021: A friend found this stored passively under his brother's lake cabin in Eastern Washington. Weren't sure what to expect but it was delightful. Decanted to remove sediment (not much!) and served immediately. Tawny red color, orange rim. Caramel nose with ranier cherry fruit, delicate but haunting, and it actually improved over the course of the evening. Not as youthful as some 74's I've had in the not-too-disant past--Heitz Martha's and Mayacamas come to mind--but damn, it's hanging in there! Very, very good. (2497 views) | | | Tasted by salcorn on 5/18/2021 & rated 94 points: Cedar, forest floor, pine bark, cherry, dried pomegranate peel, chocolate coated cherry. Thinning and delicate but still holding its fruits, a marvelous old lady now. (2470 views) | | | Tasted by loverboy on 12/28/2020 & rated 86 points: Had a flawed 1971 and 1972 before
But this 74 is a beauty at 46 years of age. Mature cab sav with classic scent. Tho the fruits isnt much left but still you can feel them. Very enjoyable.
I think it would depends on the bottle and conditions.
Really enjoyed this one (2561 views) | | | Tasted by Kemo Sabe on 11/25/2020 & rated 88 points: Lots of funk upon opening. Did blow off after 20-30 minutes and gave way to some light red fruits, cinnamon, brown sugar. Good color - still fairly deep red. But this was just more tired than anything else. Have had better and more vibrant bottles. (2440 views) | | | Tasted by Jammy Wine on 5/14/2020 & rated 75 points: Light bodied and soft tannins with traces of maderised nose on the finish. (75/100) (3495 views) | | | Tasted by La Flama Blanca on 3/3/2020 & rated 92 points: Intriguing nose of sweet, smoked meats and a silky smooth texture. Such a pleasant and comforting drink with a long, earthy finish. (2337 views) | | | Tasted by DanTheRhoneFan on 2/23/2020 flawed bottle: Unfortunately this bottle had turned. Sherry vinegar. Sad. (2846 views) | | | Tasted by doctornoah on 6/24/2018 flawed bottle: DOA (5294 views) | | | Tasted by Kemo Sabe on 4/1/2018 & rated 94 points: Second time having this in the last couple of months. Same result - these old BVs are stunning wines. Really fresh and really good old Cali Cab. Plenty of life left here, good fruit, well integrated at this point. A real treat to drink. (4930 views) | | | Tasted by rocknroller on 3/13/2018: Old Beaulieu Vineyard Wines (Cotroneo's, White Bear Lake, MN): Medium completely bricked orange color; lower neck fill, good cork. Popped and splash decanted and poured. Followed over 30 minutes. Drinkable, but becoming maderized, onion soup, celery seed, barely discernable red fruit. This bottle was way over the hill. Too bad, a bottle 4 years ago was in great shape and offered a much better experience. Them's the breaks. Roughly 84ish pts. (5248 views) | | | Tasted by slywka7 on 2/1/2018 & rated 93 points: Much lighter in color than the rest of the wines on the day. Nose of funk, shoe polish and slight cherry. While teh nose was a little funky, the palate came through with flavors of dried cherry, earth and mint. Ends with a big finish of dried cherry and lasts 35 seconds. The fruit was really still alive in this bottle! (4459 views) | | | Tasted by Kemo Sabe on 1/24/2018 & rated 94 points: Another stunning older Cali Cab. Sweet cedar and red berries. Complex and nuanced nose. Good perfume. Integrated tannins and sweet red cherries and candy on the palate. Great showing and one of the best of the day in a big tasting. (4501 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Neal Martin
Vinous, Cellar Favorite: 1974 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Georges de Latour (Dec 2023) (12/1/2023)
(Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, Beaulieu’s Georges de Latour Private Reserve: 1965–2016 (Apr 2019) (4/1/2019)
(Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges De Latour Private Reserve Napa Valley Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Gilman
View From the Cellar, May/Jun 2007, Issue #9, The Golden Age of California Cabernet Sauvignon :The Decades of the 1960s and 1970s
(Beaulieu Vineyards “Georges de Latour” Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (2/15/2015)
(Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve) Hazy, bricking, medium red violet color with .5 millimeter clear meniscus; appealing, mature, tart cassis, raspberry, black raspberry nose; mature, silky textured, raspberry, cassis, coffee syrup palate; medium-plus finish 93 points | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (9/6/2007)
(Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve) Youthful bright ripe plum and soy sauce nose; delicious, well integrated sweet cherry, dried cherry and sweet meat jus palate; medium-plus finish 93 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and View From the Cellar and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| Beaulieu Vineyard Producer website | Profile in The Oenofiles | The Wine Cellar InsiderCabernet SauvignonCabernet Sauvignon is probably the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
Used as frequently in blends as in varietal wines, Cabernet Sauvignon has a large number of common blending partners. Apart from the obvious Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the most prevalent of these are Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenere (the ingredients of a classic Bordeaux Blend), Shiraz (in Australia's favorite blend) and in Spain and South America, a Cabernet – Tempranillo blend is now commonplace. Even the bold Tannat-based wines of Madiran are now generally softened with Cabernet SauvignonUSAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Napa Valley Napa Valley Wineries and Wine (Napa Valley Vintners)Napa ValleySt. Helena |
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