1986 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve
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Tasting notes
The 1986 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve has a touch of harsh, volatile acidity on the nose, yet it comes through nicely on the palate, with plenty of dark fruits, licorice, and violets flavors. It's slightly over the hill yet still brings good fruit and texture, with resolved tannins. Drink ‘em if you have ‘em.
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Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(13.9% alcohol; 14% Chabot, 23% State Lane, 42% St. Helena and 21% Bancroft Mountain Vineyard; an early budbreak was followed by a cooler growing season): Medium dullish-brown color. Aromas of cherry, orange zest and tree bark show incipient maderization. Soft but slightly tart and angular, with a flavor of dried redcurrant. This has a firm tannic structure but I think it's beginning its decline. This was Laurie Hook's first vintage and she believes that this wine will still open further in bottle.
The fully mature, open-knit 1986 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is totally delicious. The color is dark garnet with some amber at the edge. The big, sweet, licorice, earthy, jammy, black fruit-scented nose is followed by a full-bodied, sweet, expansive, chewy wine with no hard edges. The acidity and tannin are both well-integrated in this plump, sumptuous Cabernet Sauvignon that should drink well for 5-6 more years. The tasting notes for this section are from two single blind tastings, one conducted in May, 1996, in California, and the other in June, 1996, in Baltimore.