I've had this wine in my cellar for over a decade after snapping up at auction many years ago at the bargain price of $45. At age 30, it was impeccable. Light depth in the glass. Red fading to brick at the rim. Looks like Dow's 20-year-old tawny port.
Good nose of dried dark fruits, tobacco, cedar. On the palate, it was soft and light bodied but still had a lot of flavor. No hint of decay. There was an impression of sweetness, although I'm quite sure there was no residual sugar. Instead, as I've experienced with some other old red wines in which the tannins have softened away to almost nothing, the wine seems to have recaptured some of the sweet-like fruitiness of a young wine. Indeed, this wine was remarkably fruity, suggesting plums and berries.
All in all, a remarkable wine that proves Napa Cabernet is capable of aging if the winemaker so chooses. Sadly, few today still care. Grade: A
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