WTN: 1998 Heitz Cellars Bella Oaks

Yes...from the "dreaded" 1998 Vintage!
I've found Bella Oaks ferociously "green" before, but this wine was, frankly, stunning in its cassis, anise, and blackberry fruit. Maybe the green-ness from Bella Oaks mellows with age? The wine was harmonious, and the characteristic herbal/green notes did not overwhelm the fruit but provided a lovely fresh edge to the richness of the fruit.

A very happy wine weekend!

Also: 2008 Punto Crena Pigato Vignelo Ca de Rena (Liguria, Kermit Lynch): This was delicious, too...Lovely lemon fruit with a nutty note and white pepper. Crisp and refreshing.

Brian, one vintner said that the '98 vintage in Napa depended a lot on microclimates (to some extent that could be said about all vintages.) Some areas got less rain than others and produced very nice Cabernet Sauvignon in '98.

Brian,
I have found '98 to be my favorite of the latter-'90s Napa cab vintages. The wines I've had from '98 have, by and large, been more savory and herbal as well as more restrained than the more ballyhooed years of '97 and '99. Not coincidentally, I think that I have far more (maybe 6) '98s in the cellar than I have '97s and '99s combined (maybe 2).

Mark Lipton

Within my limited experience, Mark, I agree!

A perfect example: At a Clos du Val Reserve tasting last year, the 1997 was thin and not very interesting. The 1998 was absolutely stunning in its balance and savoryness-while still having plenty of rich California fruit. delicious...and $30 less than the vaunted 1997????

I have found '98 to be my favorite of the latter-'90s Napa cab vintages. The wines I've had from '98 have, by and large, been more savory and herbal as well as more restrained than the more ballyhooed years of '97 and '99. Not coincidentally, I think that I have far more (maybe 6) '98s in the cellar than I have '97s and '99s combined (maybe 2).

Have you had the 98 Corison? I was looking at picking up a bottle or two for $40 but was not sure about the vintage. I have loved the "ballyhooed" vintages of 94, 97, and 99 but never tasted an "off-vintage" Corison. Both the 1998 and the 2000 are the same price. Its only an additional $6 or $7 for the 1999 and the 1996.

I have found '98 to be my favorite of the latter-'90s Napa cab vintages. The wines I've had from '98 have, by and large, been more savory and herbal as well as more restrained than the more ballyhooed years of '97 and '99. Not coincidentally, I think that I have far more (maybe 6) '98s in the cellar than I have '97s and '99s combined (maybe 2).

Have you had the 98 Corison? I was looking at picking up a bottle or two for $40 but was not sure about the vintage. I have loved the "ballyhooed" vintages of 94, 97, and 99 but never tasted an "off-vintage" Corison. Both the 1998 and the 2000 are the same price. Its only an additional $6 or $7 for the 1999 and the 1996.

I have not had the '98 Corison, but at that price I'd be very happy to give it a whirl. I've loved those Corison cabs that I have had, and that combination of year and producer I'd expect to be a winning one. As a caveat, though, keep in mind that I look for non-fruity flavors more than I do for fruit in my wines.

Mark Lipton