This bottle of Freemark Abbey Cabernet(Sauvignon)Bosche 1978 was
properly stored since shortly after release and the fill was still in
the neck. The color is still quite deep with only a little age showing
around the rim. The bouquet and taste are both quite intense. There is
much cassis and other dark stone fruit with a touch typical Napa
eucalyptus herbal character. The wine is not over oaked, as are some of
the 70s, but it would take quite a bit of oak indeed to overpower this
very intense wine. This is a very large wine, even for one from the
70s. The finish is fairly long. There is enough acid, but it could
stand a bit more for my taste. The wine is nearly port-like in
intensity. There is still tannin, but it now is smooth. However there
is a hint of oxidation. It might not bother some people, but I do not
like this in a red wine, but I am a bit more tolerant for some sweet
white wines. This could just be a slightly off bottle. I still have 2
bottles, so I will retaste it before too long.