Looking over a wine list in advance of going to the restaurant for a meal.
I'm interested in trying a wine I've never tasted. Given the selection
below, which of these would you choose (All are rated 95 (Classic) or higher
by WS):

Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon '01
Chateau Leoville Las Cases '89
Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ' 97
Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages '96
Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon '02
Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon '97
Viader Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc '97
Viader Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc '98

TIA

JB...first I have to assume you are planing to have some form of Red Meat or
Game. All look GREAT!

Some might be better for example Leoville would be great with Rack of
Lamb...most of the others are great with a steak.

All are excellent wines. I imagine the las Casas might be the most
expensive.


"JB" > wrote in message
ink.net...
> Looking over a wine list in advance of going to the restaurant for a meal.
> I'm interested in trying a wine I've never tasted. Given the selection
> below, which of these would you choose (All are rated 95 (Classic) or
> higher by WS):
>
> Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon '01
> Chateau Leoville Las Cases '89
> Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ' 97
> Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages '96
> Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon '02
> Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon '97
> Viader Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc '97
> Viader Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc '98
>
> TIA
>
>
>

On Wed, 11 Oct 2006 23:30:50 GMT, "JB" > wrote:

>Looking over a wine list in advance of going to the restaurant for a meal.
>I'm interested in trying a wine I've never tasted. Given the selection
>below, which of these would you choose (All are rated 95 (Classic) or higher
>by WS):
>
>Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon '01
>Chateau Leoville Las Cases '89
>Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ' 97
>Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages '96
>Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon '02
>Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon '97
>Viader Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc '97
>Viader Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc '98
>
>TIA

Some of those are beyond my experience, such as the Leoville Las Cases
and I'll admit to never having heard of Viader.

I will note that the St. Jean Cinq Cepages was over-rated in my
opinion and definitely over-priced. I'd say no big deal there.

Ch. Montelena has always been a favorite of mine and a '97 would be
pretty prime about now.

Phelps Insignia is one of those that commands a lot of respect and
$$$, but I would think an '02 might be too young.


Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
www.thunderchief.org
www.thundertales.blogspot.com

JB wrote:

> Looking over a wine list in advance of going to the restaurant for a
> meal. I'm interested in trying a wine I've never tasted. Given the
> selection below, which of these would you choose (All are rated 95
> (Classic) or higher by WS):


Assuming that any difference in price isn't an issue, I'd choose the
Leoville Las-Cases.

--
Ken Blake
Please reply to the newsgroup



> Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon '01
> Chateau Leoville Las Cases '89
> Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ' 97
> Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages '96
> Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon '02
> Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon '97
> Viader Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc '97
> Viader Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc '98
>
> TIA

JB wrote:

> Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon '01
> Chateau Leoville Las Cases '89
> Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ' 97
> Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages '96
> Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon '02
> Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon '97
> Viader Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc '97
> Viader Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc '98

My first choice would be the LLC as it is at least close to being fully
mature. The Caymus would also be approachable now, although far too
oaky for my tastes. The '02 Phelps Insignia is a baby right now but
still rather enjoyable. The Montelena, OTOH, is probably still tough as
nails, though I haven't had that particular year.

HTH
Mark Lipton

Normally I'd say the LLC, but that's a year that maybe they didn't do
quite as well as normal, but pricing is more like LLC in great vintage.
Still a good wine. But if pricing is representative, probably pick the
'97 Montelena or '97 Insignia .
Agree that the Cinq Cepages is likely worst value/

JB wrote:
> Looking over a wine list in advance of going to the restaurant for a meal.
> I'm interested in trying a wine I've never tasted. Given the selection
> below, which of these would you choose (All are rated 95 (Classic) or higher
> by WS):
>
> Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon '01
> Chateau Leoville Las Cases '89
> Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ' 97
> Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages '96
> Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon '02
> Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon '97
> Viader Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc '97
> Viader Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc '98
>
> TIA

JB wrote:
> Looking over a wine list in advance of going to the restaurant for a meal.
> I'm interested in trying a wine I've never tasted. Given the selection
> below, which of these would you choose (All are rated 95 (Classic) or higher
> by WS):
>
> Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon '01

The Caymus is the only one I've ever had and it is excellent. But it's
not worth the absurdly high price Caymus is getting for it. If someone
buys it for you...drink it!!

"DaleW" > wrote in message
oups.com...

> Normally I'd say the LLC...


Say it isn't so!

JB wrote:
> Looking over a wine list in advance of going to the restaurant for a meal.
> I'm interested in trying a wine I've never tasted. Given the selection
> below, which of these would you choose (All are rated 95 (Classic) or higher
> by WS):
>
> Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon '01
> Chateau Leoville Las Cases '89
> Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ' 97
> Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages '96
> Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon '02
> Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon '97
> Viader Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc '97
> Viader Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc '98
>
> TIA

I'd go for the Viader 97. Very good cab year, from an outstanding
maker, and probably most accessible. Montelena and Insignia are too
young.

Marc

JB wrote:
> Looking over a wine list in advance of going to the restaurant for a meal.
> I'm interested in trying a wine I've never tasted. Given the selection
> below, which of these would you choose (All are rated 95 (Classic) or higher
> by WS):
>
> Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon '01
> Chateau Leoville Las Cases '89
> Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ' 97
> Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages '96
> Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon '02
> Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon '97
> Viader Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc '97
> Viader Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc '98
>
> TIA

The one with the prettiest label.

In article . net>,
"JB" > wrote:

> Looking over a wine list in advance of going to the restaurant for a meal.
> I'm interested in trying a wine I've never tasted. Given the selection
> below, which of these would you choose (All are rated 95 (Classic) or higher
> by WS):
>
> Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon '01
> Chateau Leoville Las Cases '89
> Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ' 97
> Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages '96
> Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon '02
> Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon '97
> Viader Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc '97
> Viader Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc '98
>
> TIA

Leoville always if you don't care about the price.

The '97 Insignia

> Looking over a wine list in advance of going to the restaurant for a meal.
> I'm interested in trying a wine I've never tasted. Given the selection
> below, which of these would you choose (All are rated 95 (Classic) or
> higher by WS):
>
> Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon '01
> Chateau Leoville Las Cases '89
> Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ' 97
> Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages '96
> Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon '02
> Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon '97
> Viader Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc '97
> Viader Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc '98
>
> TIA
>
>
>