WTN: EWG does California Cabernets (74,90,91,97,99,00,05)

Nine of us gathered at Nick & Stef's in downtown LA for some beef and Cabernets. N & S did a marvelous job providing us with a private room and terrific service. This was one of the better focused tastings we have done with the majority of wines displaying true varietal character and excellent breed. Certainly, as has been mentioned by many, I'm left with the impression that Calfornia makes world class Cabernet Sauvignons, capable of competing with the best in the world.

A blind surprise to start the evening.

• 1993 Ravenswood Zinfandel Vintners Blend - USA, California
  Served blind to start the night. Most guessed a 8-12 yr old wine. Guesses included Right Bank, Nebbiolo and Rioja. Actually all good guesses as the wine mimicked characteristics of each. Bricking at the rim, with aromas of macerated cherries, forest floor, leather and wet earth. Decent palate with tertiary flavors with drying tannins and acidity sticking out a bit. Somewhat of a short finish. This was definately a fun science experiment.

A wine deserved of its own flight.

• 1974 Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
  Unbelievable wine! Entering it's 34th year, the wine looks like it's a late 90s Cab. Absolutely no signs of bricking. Wonderful aromas that improved as the wine was in glass. Really a nice texture with some unresolved tannins. The fruit comes through nicely on the midpalate. No question in my mind, this wine will hold for many years, easily 10 more. A super showing.

The Elderly Ones

• 1990 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley
  Excellent wine with great aromatics. Showing a sweet cassis profile on the nose with complex flavors emerging on the palate. This wine is drinking at peak imho. My favorite of the flight.
• 1991 Ritchie Creek Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
  Started out slowly but opened up after about 30 minutes. This had the most Bordeaux like nose of the night, imho. Aromas of cedar, cassis and a touch of funk. Good palate presence with classic flavors. Good length. I liked this wine.
• 1991 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
  Not showing much color advancement. Destinctive aromatics. Some unresolved tannins remain but the fruit fills the midpalate. A good wine on its own, yet not as good as the company in the same flight tonight.

A Trio of Adolescents

• 1997 Peter Michael Les Pavots - USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley
  Not a good showing for this wine. A bit underwhelming and enigmatic. At first, the nose showed some promising aromas then seemed to close up or just die. The palate lacked intensity and layers when compared to the other wines in this flight.
• 1997 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley
  I have vague memories of this wine. It did not make a great impression. Likely this bottle needed more time. It showed pretty tight and wound up. Hints were all we got. A previous CT note showed I had the same wine in 3/97 from a passive cellar (someone's closet) and the wine showed it's potential. Good things to come. I would hold another 5 yrs before checking in again.
• 1997 Venge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Family Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
  This was my favorite wine of the flight and my co-WOTN. The wine showed stunning intensity and depth. Layers and layers of flavors. Complex and yet elegant with great length on the finish. Absolutely stunning and were it not for the '74 Mayacamas, this wine would easily have been the best in show in a great line up.

The Big Brusers

• 1999 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
  This wine was pretty well endowed. Displaying cassis and some herbs on the nose. Rich, sweet fruit flavors that coat the palate. Thankfully the oak was in check and not protruding. The wine seemed a little one demensional to me. It should continue to develope with further cellar time.
• 2000 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
  Something was off in this bottle. Either bacterial or secondary fermentation. The wine seemed okay when opened. Unfortunately by the time I tried it it had turned. Too bad. NR (flawed)
• 2005 Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley
  I do not get wines like this. Obviously this was very young and it was not decanted. All I could get out of this wine was Vanilla oak milkshake. My problem with wines like this are the varietal identity. I could not distinguish any Cabernet character in this wine. I am clearly in the minority as a few at the table loved this. The only other Switchback I have had was the 2000 Merlot (7/05) which I enjoyed. I'm not passing judgement on the winery. Clearly I have almost no experience with the wines. Hopefully I can sample a Cabernet with some age to get a better read.

Thanks to everyone for bringing some memorable wines and to Tom for organizing.

This night was a winner. Thanks to Tom for organizing.

My brief thoughts go as follows.
74 Maycamas: What a beauty. Still cruising along. Still has fruit, tannin and plenty of acid. Got even better with the food.

The Early 90s: The Mondavi and Spottswoode showed similar characteristics to me. Great searing red fruit aromatics. Nice textures and still a good amount of life. The Ritchie Creek showed more interesting next to the other two. More mountain qualities and a Gregg said Bordeaux like.

The 97s: These seemed to get run over by the other wines. They were at more of a transition phase although the Venge stood out as unique. I have had the Les Pavots twice now. It is just not a great wine. Totally average. I liked the Monty but it is a baby. I would vote the Montelena most likely to reach the heights of the Maycamas.

99 Merus: This was really tasty. Rich ripe fruit with lots of oak but everything was in balance. Worked with food and alone.

2000 Spottswoode: Flawed. I said I tasted like Cold Duck but Walter said it wasn’t that good.

2005 Switchback Ridge: I am sure I would have guessed this as a MollyDooker. I don’t even know how you get that much oak. I certainly would have never guessed Cab. Fun to drink but I think 1 glass would be my limit.

Jason

Very nice wines, gents. I too have had the '97 Les Pavots a couple of times, at least, and I too have been non-plussed each time and don't see the reason for the fuss.

Bummer about the Switchback Ridge. I have a few bottles, and am not thrilled with the Mollydooker comparison. However, others have really liked it, so I'm going to have to form my own opinion rather than being swayed by G3 and JH on this one......

Montelena...I"m really looking foward to my visit in a couple of weeks.....

Bummer about the Switchback Ridge. I have a few bottles, and am not thrilled with the Mollydooker comparison. However, others have really liked it, so I'm going to have to form my own opinion rather than being swayed by G3 and JH on this one......

I liked it. I think you will too ... but I would wait a little while so it can settle down. And my Mollydooker comment wasn't meant as a put down. After all many love the Mollydookers and on occasion I think I would too. I think you should plan on waiting 3 years and then sharing the Switchback with me. I really do want to taste it after a few years. I'll open a Merus or something as an exchange.

Jason

very nice notes, thanks a lot. I really like the Mayacamas wines from early 70s.