Monticello Vineyards (Corley Family)
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Enjoyed alongside some other Napa legends from the 80’s and 90’s. Over the first hour upon opening, the 1986 Monticello showed very well alongside the Dunn, Mayacamas and Monte Bello. It has a greater umami character that reminded us of hoisin and showed more alcohol but it remained fairly balanced. I thought it did seem to fade a bit as the night went on but what a showing. Drink now.
Enjoyed alongside some other Napa legends from the 80’s and 90’s. Over the first hour upon opening, the 1986 Monticello showed very well alongside the Dunn, Mayacamas and Monte Bello. It has a greater umami character that reminded us of hoisin and showed more alcohol but it remained fairly balanced. I thought it did seem to fade a bit as the night went on but what a showing. Drink now.
Nov 2nd, 2024A member of our Tasting Group provided this bottle from his cellar. It had been opened 90 minutes prior to service, poured into a decanter and, in typical Tasting Group fashion, presented double-blind. Appearance: a deep, slightly turbid, garnet color with some very slight browning towards the rim. Medium intensity. Medium viscosity. On the nose this was fully developed with notes of red and dark fruit, grilled Poblano pepper, leather, and sweet pipe tobacco and baking spices. I felt certain, from the bouquet alone, that we were in the presence of a wine that had seen some significant age. On the palate, a mix of dried fruits including cherries, dates and figs with milk chocolate, nuts, leather, and tobacco. Plush mouthfeel. The tannins were medium and fully integrated at this point. Acid was medium+ which provided youthful energy. The finish was long, lovely. In fact, the flavor on the finish reminded me a bit of a Palmer Twin Bing. I called Napa Cabernet from the 1990 vintage. I was pretty darned close! This bottle was hitting right now and well-stored examples should continue to drink well over the next 5-10 years.
A member of our Tasting Group provided this bottle from his cellar. It had been opened 90 minutes prior to service, poured into a decanter and, in typical Tasting Group fashion, presented double-blind. Appearance: a deep, slightly turbid, garnet color with some very slight browning towards the rim. Medium intensity. Medium viscosity. On the nose this was fully developed with notes of red and dark fruit, grilled Poblano pepper, leather, and sweet pipe tobacco and baking spices. I felt certain, from the bouquet alone, that we were in the presence of a wine that had seen some significant age. On the palate, a mix of dried fruits including cherries, dates and figs with milk chocolate, nuts, leather, and tobacco. Plush mouthfeel. The tannins were medium and fully integrated at this point. Acid was medium+ which provided youthful energy. The finish was long, lovely. In fact, the flavor on the finish reminded me a bit of a Palmer Twin Bing. I called Napa Cabernet from the 1990 vintage. I was pretty darned close! This bottle was hitting right now and well-stored examples should continue to drink well over the next 5-10 years.
Jul 14th, 2021