1992 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select - USA, California, Napa Valley, Stag's Leap District (10/22/2005) open and decanted to remove sediment then immediately consumed from reidel vinum cab stems.
wow!!! what an incredible experience. the first hss i've ever had with some age on it. from the initial color it is hard to believe that it is 13 years old. a very dark blood red with a slight bit of bricking. on the nose a beautiful array of chocolate, blackberries, cassis, a hint of spice and cigar box. in the mouth it was like velvet butter, it was that smooth. i can't find enough descriptors to explain how smooth and well integrated this wine was. the midpalate was strong and the finish went on and on and on. (96 pts.)
1992 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (10/22/2005) opened and decanted into a wide bottom decanter, then immediately consumed out oreidel vinum cab glasses.
for a 13 year old wine one couldn't tell from looking at it. the coler was very dark with a slight amount of bricking. upon opening the aroma just burst from the bottle and while decanting i knew this was going to be good. the nose was like a wild array of christmas kitchen smells. there was cinnimon, nutmeg, maple syrup and apple pie crust. the palate didn't quite deliver as much as the nose. with rigorous swirling it started to come alive with dark brooding fruit. the oak has completely vanished and the tannin was unbeliveably sweet. the finish was medium to long and left just the greatest aftertaste in the mouth. with 2 more left in the cellar i will hold off at least another 3-5 yrs to pop another one. (95 pts.)
2000 Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley (10/22/2005) what can i say...its switchback and bof foley is part genius and part magician.
opened and decanted into a wide bottom decanter for about 1 hr. consumed over the course of about 3 hrs with reidel vinum cab stems.
the color almost opaque. what a wonderfully complex nose that was pulling a chameleon act. notes of strawberry, licorice and cherries at times, then replaced with the typical foley notes of chocolate and snickers pie. man how does he do this. in the mouth it was very smooth and mouth coating. notes of cassis, black currants and a hint of oak. tannins ahve already started to resolve themselves and its startign to integrate very well. the finish seems to go ona nd on. hard to believe this is a 2000, bravo!!! (93 pts.)
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