I took the train to Croton yesterday for a tasting of 1984 & 1985 Calcabs. Perfect weather on John’s patio. Craig brought some great cheeses and a goose pate, I brought some charcuterie (prosciutto, Smoking Goose salami, mousse truffee, boar sausage, and bastourma that was way too salty/spiced (but good with eggs this AM)

A starter
2018 OO Wines Corton-Charlemagne
So apparently this is an Oregon producer with a French consultant who hooked them up with a vineyard source and facilities in Burgundy,. I quite liked this, though it was a little steely/tight. Apple, grapefruit peel, just a hint of oak. Young but promising. B+

On to the reds, in flights of two

1985 Clos du Bois “Briarcrest” Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)
One person said they’d drink this on a Tuesday, not me. Maybe because train had passed SingSing, but this struck me as what Pruno probably tastes like. Stewed fruits, weedy, oxidized. DNPIM. D

1985 Silverado Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
Sweet berry fruit, acid a little out of whack, not long or complex, but I liked more than some others. B-/B
1985 Girard “Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
This was unpleasant, but not overtly flawed. Still apparent charred oak, macerated fruit, a bit hot, clipped. C+

1985 Burgess Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain)
More nimble than any preceding, red fruit, bell pepper. B

1985 Joseph Swan Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County)
I’ve had a bunch of Swan PNs & Zins from this era, but this is my first CS I think. Nice showing:blackcurrant, eucalyptuus/menthol, campfire. Fairly fresh. B+/B

1985 Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County)
Black cherry, vanilla, bell pepper, resolved tannin, tangy acids. B

John brought out beautiful plates of garlic shrimp with avocado with our palate breaks.
1991 Francois Jobard Meursault-Charmes
This was blind, I thought very old (60s?) white Burg, Craig declared dead, I thought there was some residual interest- quite nutty, touch of VA, but nice underlying texture. B-/C+

NV Fallet-Prevostat Blanc de Blanc Extra Brut Champagne
Never heard of producer, but will look for now. Apple, pear, bread yeast, with a nutty accent. Crisp and snappy, long finish. A-/B+
The two flagship flights were served with John’s bounty from the grill- pork tenderloin, andouille, peppers, squash, and an orzo with black truffle and mushroom- great food to go with great wines.

1984 Kalin Cellars “Potter Valley” Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Cassis, black plum, leather, pepper.rich soil. Full and firm, quite long, contender for WOTN. A-

1985 Kalin Cellars “Sonoma” Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
A bit higher toned profile, maybe a tad more mature, cassis and cigarbox, good length, would be a good ringer in a Bdx flight. A-/B+

1984 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon (Mount Veeder)
Black cherry, coffee, bell pepper, classy and long A-/B+

1985 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon (Mount Veeder)
Just wow, black plum and black cherry, smoke, menthol, excellent finish. A-

Really fun night with a good small crew (and Betsy picked me up so I didn’t spit on final flights)!

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C
drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

On 6/18/21 10:30 AM, dalewilli...@gmail.com wrote:

> 1985 Clos du Bois “Briarcrest” Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)
> One person said they’d drink this on a Tuesday, not me. Maybe because train had passed SingSing, but this struck me as what Pruno probably tastes like. Stewed fruits, weedy, oxidized. DNPIM. D

Wow! I don't recall ever seeing a wine rate a D from you. "What Pruno
probably tastes like" will live in infamy as a wine descriptor :)

> 1984 Kalin Cellars “Potter Valley” Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
> Cassis, black plum, leather, pepper.rich soil. Full and firm, quite long, contender for WOTN. A-
>
> 1985 Kalin Cellars “Sonoma” Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
> A bit higher toned profile, maybe a tad more mature, cassis and cigarbox, good length, would be a good ringer in a Bdx flight. A-/B+
>
> 1984 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon (Mount Veeder)
> Black cherry, coffee, bell pepper, classy and long A-/B+
>
> 1985 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon (Mount Veeder)
> Just wow, black plum and black cherry, smoke, menthol, excellent finish. A-

Interesting to read the vintage contrast in these two wines. As I've
mentioned before, '84 received the ballyhoo for its abundance of forward
fruit, but '85 was more reserved and structured. It isn't clear at this
late remove that there was much vintage variation in these two wines.

Mark Lipton

On Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 1:50:02 AM UTC-4, Mark Lipton wrote:
> On 6/18/21 10:30 AM, dalewilli...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> > 1985 Clos du Bois “Briarcrest” Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)
> > One person said they’d drink this on a Tuesday, not me. Maybe because train had passed SingSing, but this struck me as what Pruno probably tastes like. Stewed fruits, weedy, oxidized. DNPIM. D
> Wow! I don't recall ever seeing a wine rate a D from you. "What Pruno
> probably tastes like" will live in infamy as a wine descriptor :)
> > 1984 Kalin Cellars “Potter Valley” Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
> > Cassis, black plum, leather, pepper.rich soil. Full and firm, quite long, contender for WOTN. A-
> >
> > 1985 Kalin Cellars “Sonoma” Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
> > A bit higher toned profile, maybe a tad more mature, cassis and cigarbox, good length, would be a good ringer in a Bdx flight. A-/B+
> >
> > 1984 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon (Mount Veeder)
> > Black cherry, coffee, bell pepper, classy and long A-/B+
> >
> > 1985 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon (Mount Veeder)
> > Just wow, black plum and black cherry, smoke, menthol, excellent finish.. A-
> Interesting to read the vintage contrast in these two wines. As I've
> mentioned before, '84 received the ballyhoo for its abundance of forward
> fruit, but '85 was more reserved and structured. It isn't clear at this
> late remove that there was much vintage variation in these two wines.
>
> Mark Lipton
After 2 tastings I don't have any clear views on one vintage being better than other, but few head to heads.