Monticello Vineyards (Corley Family)
Jefferson Cuvée Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Served to be double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a beautiful garnet with a deep but translucent core and significant rim variation; from magenta to orange to watery. There appears to be loads of sediment. Medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with powerful aromas of desiccated red and black fruits: cassis, brambles, plum, pipe tobacco, some green pepper, old leather, damp forrest, mushrooms and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium(+?) acid. Confirming the notes on the notes. The finish is long and delicious. Alcohol is medium.
I was pretty confident that this was a Bordeaux-variety/blend however, I was between two minds as to whether this was left-bank Bordeaux or Napa Valley as I believe the lines truly begin to blur with age. Ultimately, I called St. Estèphe from a classified growth and a warmer vintage like 1985 or 1990. I settled on 1990. Shit. I should have known it was Napa…and as more time went on, the fruit did seem to get a little more heady. Anyway, I don’t hate my call but I should have not rushed my conclusion and considered it a little longer. As for the wine itself, this bottle has excellent provenance and was really quite lovely at 37 years old. Plenty left in the tank. There’s good color and energy with no worry at all about the fruit hanging on. Alcohol is modest at 12.5% ABV. Well-cellared examples should be enjoyed now but will drink very well over the next 5-10 years, easy.
Served to be double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a beautiful garnet with a deep but translucent core and significant rim variation; from magenta to orange to watery. There appears to be loads of sediment. Medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with powerful aromas of desiccated red and black fruits: cassis, brambles, plum, pipe tobacco, some green pepper, old leather, damp forrest, mushrooms and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium(+?) acid. Confirming the notes on the notes. The finish is long and delicious. Alcohol is medium.
I was pretty confident that this was a Bordeaux-variety/blend however, I was between two minds as to whether this was left-bank Bordeaux or Napa Valley as I believe the lines truly begin to blur with age. Ultimately, I called St. Estèphe from a classified growth and a warmer vintage like 1985 or 1990. I settled on 1990. Shit. I should have known it was Napa…and as more time went on, the fruit did seem to get a little more heady. Anyway, I don’t hate my call but I should have not rushed my conclusion and considered it a little longer. As for the wine itself, this bottle has excellent provenance and was really quite lovely at 37 years old. Plenty left in the tank. There’s good color and energy with no worry at all about the fruit hanging on. Alcohol is modest at 12.5% ABV. Well-cellared examples should be enjoyed now but will drink very well over the next 5-10 years, easy.
Would have been a great wine in its prime. The 1986 was washed out with all the fruit gone.
Would have been a great wine in its prime. The 1986 was washed out with all the fruit gone.
2 people found it helpfulNov 14th, 2014