Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.
A treat to try this next to the ‘88, and also against a mini-flight of Leoville Barton. This ‘14 was shockingly odd…unbelievably high toned, sharp, and bing cherry driven aromatically. It actually has this weird cherry reduction profile but also a malic/butter note that needs time to blow off. Crème de cassis and red licorice on the palate with a small amount of graphite. A lot of Calistoga cabs for me show the warmth of the region and this evidently is in that vein, but it’s very Montelena-esque at the end of the day. I’d hold another 5-7yrs. — 7 months ago
Such a storied brand, it was a treat to finally try this. Opulent black bramble fruit with that Tuscan earthy spice on the nose. Hard to deny this was opened far too young as I imagine it would really be singing in 10 years. Lovely acidity, exquisite tannins on the finish. Next time it only makes sense to drink an aged wine of this caliber. #sassicaia — 10 months ago
A treat to share with @Logan Edwards , this wine is still youthful at 35 years. Nice plum and steelish tones under the ripe dark berry. Probably good for another 35 years — 5 months ago
What a treat — 9 months ago
1 hour decant(lots of chunky/fine sediment). A brooding dark garnet with a little bricking. On the nose: dark cherry, tobacco, eucalyptus, creme de cassis, graphite. Taste: a silky, rich, powerful but elegant wine with dark cherry/blackberry, gravel, cedar, dark chocolate, licorice, and a smokey herbaceous long finish that goes on and on. YUM!! What a treat to drink tonight. — 2 years ago
2014: spectacular at a decade. Could nose this all day. A special wine starting to develop those tertiary notes reminding one of Bordeaux. What a treat! — 4 months ago
What a treat opening this 27 year old Napa Valley Spottswoode Cabernet! A deep purple garnet color with some bricking. Nose - dark fruit and wet forest floor initially standout followed by subtle notes of blueberry dark chocolate, fennel and a touch of tobacco & spearmint. Taste - cherry and dark plum stand out giving it a luscious smooth feel. Well integrated with secondary notes of dark soil, crushed rock, espresso, cedar and a medium finish — 6 months ago
Tom Garland
Decant for sediment and pour. A majestic deep ruby red color with bricking. On the nose: Seductive notes of dark cherry, eucalyptus, cigar smoke, forest floor, new leather. Taste: creamy, elegant, savory medium body wine with a little brambly cherry/red plum, tobacco, earth, dark chocolate, spice, and just a hint if it's signature minty eucalyptus. YUM! Such a treat to drink tonight. — 2 hours ago