This bored seems up-to-date on CA stuff, so it seems appropriate to ask here rather than other places.
One of my goals for this year is to drink a bunch of CA cabernet with a focus on 1987 and before.
I don’t think there is any debate that there was a dramatic stylistic shift throughout Ca and Napa especially around the early 1990s. The massive replanting that had to be done in the mid-90s led to an even more dramatic tilt towards wines with massive fruit, alcohol, and VA. Without making any aesthetic judgments, IMO these wines suck.
That being said, I am open to trying contemporary wines. Who are the producers making wine now in a style that you think I would like?
My most recent release purchase of CA cabernet was 1994 Laurel Glen and Montebello, if that gives you any references.
In addition, I also very much like 1970s-1991 Phelps Eisele & Backus, Montelena, Dunn, Mayacamas, Freemark Abbey, Forman, Heitz Martha’s, Mount Eden, SCMV Bates, inter alia.
If you help me with this, I’ll help you with Loire wines.
Have had recent-ish Montebello but not a Chapellet since the 80s when they were decidely made in a very hard style. Not unlike Mayacamas of the era, IIRC.
Money Road Ranch. Garguilos source for Cabs and Merlot.
In my mind, a very ‘four square’ style, which is to say, classic cab style. Corison does it, and I am not usually a fan, so go figure. The list I mention has that in common, the style part, not the not liking part, as I am a fan. Especially of the Hoopes and Garguilo. I have a bunch more, but figure that is a start.
I must admit that other than Corison, I haven’t heard of a single wine on your list. . . . . I must be getting better. . . . maybe my therapy is working.
Sorry, I’m not a big user of emoticons. Of course I am making aesthetic judgments. and of course I think mine are better than yours. To act like anything else were true would be intellectually dishonest, but that doesn’t mean that I am not interested in your input about things I know nothing about.
$50-$80
I was afraid you say that. That’s what makes it so hard to catch up.
In my mind, a very ‘four square’ style, which is to say, classic cab style. Corison does it, and I am not usually a fan, so go figure.
I wouldn’t consider Corison to be “four-square”, as I use that term. I find her wines among the most elegant in the Valley.
I would consider Dunn to be four square or pre-90s Montelena.