1970 Warre Vintage Port
Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 8:26 pm
Last night a few friends came over for a last minute BBQ of Filet Mignon, potates, and corn. Yes, a classic old school dinner the way my grandmother used to make. And what better to go with a good dinner, great wines and friends. Here are the wines in order of drinking. I will say that I didn't take detailed notes, as I was the one cooking dinner.
1996 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve, Napa Valley
A very nice cab that had no traces of alcohol, it was very silky and smooth with a great mid-palate and long finish. This was drinking very nicely now and would probably hold a couple more years. 92 pts.
1993 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
A wonderful nose on this one showed promise of what was to come. It was decanted for about 1 1/2 hours prior to drinking. The first glass showed this was wine was closed up (it was a little on the cold side). After about 30 minutes in the glass it started to open up very nicely. Still just a little tannic with definate tobbaco notes on the mid-palate. After about 1 hours in the galss this was really starting to take off and showing its stuff. This wine is still on the young side and I would love to try it again in about 5 years. A solid 94 pts.
* 1949 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley - USA, California, Napa Valley (9/5/2005)
This was the reason for the dinner. A few friends that could come on such short notice (about 4 hours) were rewarded. WOW! I can see why this is considered an American cult classic. As soon as the cork came out (in one piece) the smell of fruit hit me like a brick. The nose was almost port like. I've never seen this old (or young for that matter) of an American Cabernet with a nose that powerful. The color was coffee like, a dark brown fading to amber on the edges. There was no alcohol or heat what-so-ever, just pure fruit. It was amazing that an American Cabernet could last this long and still retain the freshness that it had. It very much reminded me of a very old vintage port in color and nose, yet the flavor was pure old school Napa Cabernet. This was truly the best American Cabernet that I have ever had. If I had to score it...100 pts!!
Posted from CellarTracker
* 1970 Warre Porto - Portugal, Douro, Porto (9/5/2005)
A very good Port. Although the 1970 Warre Vp is generally not well recieved by many this is still a good VP for the price. A bit of alcohol on the nose when I first openned and decanted had me worried. After about 4 hours of decanting I had my first glass. In the glass the alcohol was still a little noticable, but it did not detract from the overall flavors. I continued to drink with friends till about 2am, which was about 9 hours after decanting. By the last glass it had integrated very well and the alcohol had pretty much completely blown off. Overall, for a 1970 VP it was a little thinner and lighter body than I normally like, but it was still a nice end to a wonderful dinner with friends. 89 pts
Posted from CellarTracker
1996 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve, Napa Valley
A very nice cab that had no traces of alcohol, it was very silky and smooth with a great mid-palate and long finish. This was drinking very nicely now and would probably hold a couple more years. 92 pts.
1993 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
A wonderful nose on this one showed promise of what was to come. It was decanted for about 1 1/2 hours prior to drinking. The first glass showed this was wine was closed up (it was a little on the cold side). After about 30 minutes in the glass it started to open up very nicely. Still just a little tannic with definate tobbaco notes on the mid-palate. After about 1 hours in the galss this was really starting to take off and showing its stuff. This wine is still on the young side and I would love to try it again in about 5 years. A solid 94 pts.
* 1949 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley - USA, California, Napa Valley (9/5/2005)
This was the reason for the dinner. A few friends that could come on such short notice (about 4 hours) were rewarded. WOW! I can see why this is considered an American cult classic. As soon as the cork came out (in one piece) the smell of fruit hit me like a brick. The nose was almost port like. I've never seen this old (or young for that matter) of an American Cabernet with a nose that powerful. The color was coffee like, a dark brown fading to amber on the edges. There was no alcohol or heat what-so-ever, just pure fruit. It was amazing that an American Cabernet could last this long and still retain the freshness that it had. It very much reminded me of a very old vintage port in color and nose, yet the flavor was pure old school Napa Cabernet. This was truly the best American Cabernet that I have ever had. If I had to score it...100 pts!!
Posted from CellarTracker
* 1970 Warre Porto - Portugal, Douro, Porto (9/5/2005)
A very good Port. Although the 1970 Warre Vp is generally not well recieved by many this is still a good VP for the price. A bit of alcohol on the nose when I first openned and decanted had me worried. After about 4 hours of decanting I had my first glass. In the glass the alcohol was still a little noticable, but it did not detract from the overall flavors. I continued to drink with friends till about 2am, which was about 9 hours after decanting. By the last glass it had integrated very well and the alcohol had pretty much completely blown off. Overall, for a 1970 VP it was a little thinner and lighter body than I normally like, but it was still a nice end to a wonderful dinner with friends. 89 pts
Posted from CellarTracker