La Jota, Cabernet Sauvignon	1986	Howell Mountain

9/94. Bought in New-York Jun-94 for $40.
Dinner consisted of Oeufs Bourguignon (or Oeufs en Meurette), a real delicacy of Dorit's. Grilled steak with tin-foil baked potatoes. Sliced mango in whipped-cream.
COLOR: Quite good dark red, slightly paling towards the rim.
NOSE: Mostly vanilla and oak, discernable dark berries. Very promising.
TASTE: Does not fulfill all promises made by the aroma and bouquet. Strongly felt alcohol but kind of hollow taste. Very little fruit. Still, a fully mature, pleasant wine to drink.
LENGTH: Medium but nice.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: Alcoholic but no fruit, no acidity, no tannins. Lacks 'winyness'. If there is such a thing as strong wine with medium-light body - this must be it.
OVERALL: Nothing really faulty, but not a great Cab by any means. As I have absolutely no experience with American Cabs, I don't know what to expected from this wine. If Dave Sit chose it for me, I am sure it must be one of the better examples. One thing I can say confidently, Our 'Yarden - Cab' is a better wine by two or three degrees. This is not a 'question of taste'. I state this as a fact and invite anyone who might have tasted them both (Larry Pitts?) to chime in. I hope the other two bottles: 'Laurel Glen Cab 1991' and 'Monte Bello Cab - Ridge 1991' will really knock me down.
MARK: 15/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? No.

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Jacob "Yak" Shaya.