Like many of you, for our wedding anniversaries Teri and I enjoy popping bottles from the year we were wed. Last evening was anniversary number 12, and to go with our home-cooked entree of Venison medallions in Shi-take Port Reduction we went with Napa Cab:

Decanted just 10 minutes before pouring for fear the wine might fade away quickly. Both these wine began with that wonderful aroma so characteristic of aged Cabernet, but for which I’ve never found an adequate descriptor. It’s that musty (in a good way) aroma, some call it cigar box, maybe cedar, dried fruits. Whatever you call it, it’s a delight to the senses.

1990 Markham Cabernet Sauvignon
What a remarkable wine! No visible sign of fading whatsoever, no bricking, but a dense purple color through and through. This wine is still powerful, fruity, elegant. Tannins have melted and revealed sweet fruit of dark cherries and cassis. This wine glides over the palate, resulting in a lush feel in the mouth and a smile on the face. I believe this wine is now at it’s peak, and may hold for another year or possibly two. Finish is medium short, and after an hour and a half decanted it was pretty much gone.

1990 Silverado Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Showing just a hint of fading/bricking on the edges, this wine is a nice purple, just a bit less dense than the Markham. On tasting, the Markham is clearly the superior of the two at this point. Tannins are gone, and it’s a bit thinner than the Markham, but this wine still possesses an elegant experience, with the fruit surprising becoming a bit more full after about 30 minutes. Favors are more on the dried fruit end of the spectrum, and the finish is short. Interestingly, this wine was the better match for the Roquefort mashed potatoes. I believe this wine is in decline, but still is a wonderful drink.

Had the '90 Silverado Res Cab about this time last year. The stuff is awesome!! Big razberry/currant/blueberry flavors that echo on the palate for what seems like minutes! Incredible depth but not particularly complex when compared to say the '90 Monte Bello but it is a big delicious mouthful all the same. No tannins! Drink up soon if any of you are sitting on this one as it is at it's peak IMHO!!

[ 11-05-2002, 04:53 AM: Message edited by: latenitejim ]

Eric, thanks for the notes. I was a HUGE Markham fan back in the 80's. Unfortunately, they really went down down about 10 years ago.

Happy 12th !!

JO: The REAL downturn in Markham happened when it was realized that they would have to sell, then the capper was when it was sold to a Japanese group. Used to be one of the best QPR and quality deals around.