On May 24, 6:15*pm, lleichtman > wrote:
> On May 24, 11:48*am, "Bi!!" > wrote:
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> > Continuing with my cellar reduction program I opened a couple of
> > cabernets from a couple ofmy favorite Napa producers during the 90's.
> > Chateau Montelena and Robert Mondavi. *While 1996 was not my favorite
> > vintage from Napa in the 90's, it was a good year for producing
> > structured and long lived cabernets. *I decanted both wines an hour
> > before pouring.
> > 1996 Chateau Montelena Estate Napa Cabernet-Still inky black showing
> > virtually no age in the glass. *Nose of cassis, blackberry, black
> > pepper, mint and espresso. *Medium weight on the palate with firm
> > powerful tannins. *The wine was muscular as Montelena often is and had
> > a lot of similarities to Pauillac. *Plenty of lead pencil, anise,
> > cassis and a loamy eathy note. *Still quite young, this wine will last
> > easily another 10-15 years if not longer. "A-"
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> > 1996 Robert Mondavi Reserve Napa Cabernet-Dark reddish with a bit of
> > brick at the edge. The Mondavi was showing a touch more age than the
> > Montelena with more mature aromas of leather and cedar but
> > predominantly plum, currants and Napa dust. *Very smooth and rich on
> > the palate with red and black fruits, quite complex and plush with
> > soft resolved tannins. A bit more complexity than the Montelena at
> > this point. "A-"
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> > These wines are really interesting to compare as they are variations
> > on a theme. *Hard to pick a winner.
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> Sounds great. One of our friends with an enormous Italian Cellar is
> going to do a reduction party this weekend. He is keeping it close to
> the vest.

I have one scheduled for next Saturday the 4th. I'm taking most of my
orphans and placing a couple bottles on each table with instructions
to wander and pour at will. I found some very strange stuff down there
in the orphan bins. 1987 B R Cohn Olive Hill Cab, 1991 Cafaro Merlot,
1999 Ilona Howell Mountain cab, 1999 Luna Canto Napa Sangiovese/Merlot
blend, 1990 Raymond Private Reserve Meritage, 1998 Burgess Enveiere,
1991 Michel-Schlumberger Cab, 1991 Optima Alexander Valley Cab, 2000
Anomaly Napa Cab etc.. I'm also opening a 5 litre of 1994 Chateau
Montelena as a reward for drinking through the various and sundry
bottles that will be opened.