WTN: Two that shoulda been better

[Jenise]

Two wines from last Friday night in beautiful downtown Burbank:

2005 Leonetti Cellar Merlot Columbia Valley
My bottle. So about my last bottle in 2021 I said: "dense black currant fruit with dark chocolate bringing in the finish. Great, but relatively unevolved for a 16 year old merlot. Next bottle: 2025." So it's 2025, and? Way too evolved. Great nose but flat and unexciting on the palate. Didn't show like the icon it is, nor did it evolve in the glass.

1995 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Selection
My friend's bottle. Though a little better than the Leonetti, this didn't show as well as it should have--muted mostly red fruit, a bit bland. Just one of those days!

[David M. Bueker]

Cork variation!

Oops - found a bottle of the 1997 Merlot in the cellar. It is now out to be opened tonight, fingers crossed! Have some cabs from the 90s too. Hopefully they will have been more durable.

I also checked and found a bottle of 03 Hedges Red Mountain and 2000 Donedei Cab - what do you think the chances are for them....?

[Jenise]

Oops - found a bottle of the 1997 Merlot in the cellar. It is now out to be opened tonight, fingers crossed! Have some cabs from the 90s too. Hopefully they will have been more durable.

I also checked and found a bottle of 03 Hedges Red Mountain and 2000 Donedei Cab - what do you think the chances are for them....?

The Hedges might fare better than the Donadei because of their house style, but honestly: crap shoot!

[David M. Bueker]

Just dug out some 2006 Fidelitas Cabs from my dad’s cellar.

Just searched the cellar for venerable merlots and found 94, 95, and 96 Pahlmeyers - pulled them out for near term sampling!
SMBO is out for a family dinner tonight so one cork will pop this evening (likely 97 Leonetti)!

[Jenise]

Just dug out some 2006 Fidelitas Cabs from my dad’s cellar.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I predict you'll be less than thrilled--in fact, I'm suprised Dick bought them. Winemaker/owner Charlie Hoppes favors a very plush, creamy style--milk chocolate vs. dark chocolate, if you will. I'm not a fan nor will you be. And '06 was a cool, reticent vintage--which may be why Dick found it attractive when he bought them. Unfortunately most '06's haven't been long-lived because most Washington winemakers don't/didn't know how to turn that into an advantage.

[David M. Bueker]

Dad loved the plush wines. The 2006s may still be in the cellar because the vintage was leaner.