Pre 1990 Cali Cab + 1981 Birthday Surprise! (Cowford Chophouse): Started with just a touch of brett but that blew off with some time. Got to drink next to the '85 and it was interesting to compare and contrast. Both lovely wines in a good spot at the moment.
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Not as fantastic as bottles from few years ago (when it was one of the best Cali cabs I'd ever had), this is still quite good with a terrific bouquet of grape bubblegum, fennel seed, lavender and a bit of wood. The palate may be coming apart ever so slightly, as the first half was a bit dry while the second half was quite fruity. This would argue for double decanting to homogenize the fruit. Not the last word in complexity, this is still beautifully integrated, silky and enjoyable. Drink 'em if you've got 'em.
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Dark, saturated garnet in color. More restrained nose than the last bottle, but with inviting aromas of dark fruits. It blossomed in the glass in a few minutes, becoming quite supple with all tannins melded. The clearest note was from juicy cherries backed by just the right touch of cola and Eisele spice. Deeply extracted and long on the palate, certainly ready to drink. Will last many more years.
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5/12/2022 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Pre 1990 Cali Cab + 1981 Birthday Surprise! (Cowford Chophouse): Started with just a touch of brett but that blew off with some time. Got to drink next to the '85 and it was interesting to compare and contrast. Both lovely wines in a good spot at the moment.
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5/23/2019 - Burgnick Likes this wine: 91 Points
Pnp. Blackcurrant, tobacco and forest floor. Lots of fruit on the palate. Energetic.
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12/3/2016 - andtheodor wrote: 91 Points
Tasted blind. Good, with a very sweet currant character but lacks the true magic of previous bottles.
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11/19/2016 - blanquito wrote: 92 Points
Not as fantastic as bottles from few years ago (when it was one of the best Cali cabs I'd ever had), this is still quite good with a terrific bouquet of grape bubblegum, fennel seed, lavender and a bit of wood. The palate may be coming apart ever so slightly, as the first half was a bit dry while the second half was quite fruity. This would argue for double decanting to homogenize the fruit. Not the last word in complexity, this is still beautifully integrated, silky and enjoyable. Drink 'em if you've got 'em.
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11/12/2014 - Lipsman Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark, saturated garnet in color. More restrained nose than the last bottle, but with inviting aromas of dark fruits. It blossomed in the glass in a few minutes, becoming quite supple with all tannins melded. The clearest note was from juicy cherries backed by just the right touch of cola and Eisele spice. Deeply extracted and long on the palate, certainly ready to drink. Will last many more years.
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