Fourteen guests sampled the six Bordeaux, followed by six Calif. Cabs.
April 12th at 2pm.
Bordeaux Results: The '66 and the '67 Carruades were thin but still clinging to life. The "1983" Lafite, showed great structure. The '82 Talbot was out of balance and did not show well. The '89 Phelan Segur was musty at first but developed fine after several minutes in the glass. The '90 d'Armailhac was (to me) the best of the Bordeaux's.
California Results: The '85 Steltzner was a little light and high on acid but lovely aromas of black current and boot wax. The '86 Heitz "Martha's Vineyard" was the hands down winner of the day. Perfect balance, aromas of mint and tar, layers of flavor and a long finish. The '86 Heitz "Bella Oaks" was very good but still very tannic and a little closed. Of the Kenwood "Artist Series", the '88 was the winner. The '89 and the '90 were loaded with harsh tannins and alcohol heat. Neither one showed well. There was also a pre 1976 "NV" bottle of Christian Brothers (Napa), that we would all like to forget.
Bordeaux
All Bordeaux wines to be tasted, between 18 and 42 years old.
Chateau Lafite Rothschild (Unknown vintage, appears to be '82 or '83) Label was washed off in a flood of a wine cellar. Cork will be branded with vintage date. Good condition. 1983 is WS-88, 1982 is WS-94 / current prices 1983 - $424 to $599, 1982 - $2,250 to $4,500 ( 1st growth / 1855)
1967 Carruades De Chateau Lafite Rothschild - Mid Shoulder Fill / WS-82 / current price $199
1966 Carruades De Chateau Lafite Rothschild - High Shoulder Fill / WS-NR / current price $75 to $169
1982 Chateau Talbot (St. Julien) - High Shoulder Fill / WS-86 / current prices $140 to $599 (4th growth / 1855)
1989 Chateau Phelan Segur (St. Estephe) Good Condition / WS-88 / current prices $99 to $103.50 (Cru Bourgeois Exceptionel)
1990 Chateau d'Armailhac (Pauillac) Pristine Condition / WS-89 / current price $119 (5th growth / 1855) (formerly Ch. Mouton-Baron-Philippe)
California (Featuring a 1986 Heitz Horizontal and a '88, 89, 90 Kenwood Vertical.)
1985 Steltzner (Napa) - New Condition / WS-92 / current price $115
1986 Heitz "Martha's Vineyard" (Napa) - New Condition / WS-86 / current prices $105 to $260
1986 Heitz "Bella Oaks Vineyard" (Napa) - New Condition / WS-83 / current prices $80 to $99
1988, 1989, 1990 Kenwood (Sonoma)"Artist Series" Vertical New Condition -1988 - WS-86 / current prices $60 to $75, 1989 - WS-89 / current prices $45 to $80, 1990 - WS-86 / current prices $70 to $125
WS= Wine Spectator All prices from Wine-Searcher.com   Collectively the wines now retail from between $1,531 to $6,443.50