1985 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
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Tasting notes
The 1985 Cabernet Sauvignon is a super elegant wine from Mayacamas. Sweet dried cherry, incense, tobacco, game and dried herbs lend notable aromatic presence. There's a bit of Brett, but that is typical of Napa Valley wines during this era. Spiky acids and slightly angular contours on the finish suggest the 1985 may have been acidified, a common practice at the time. The 1985 has always been a delicate wine, but the fruit is starting to drop out. I would not wait too much longer.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 1985 Cabernet Sauvignon is all about silkiness and grace. Although not one of the eternal wines at Mayacamas, the 1985 is a great choice for drinking now. Today, the 1985 is sensual, perfumed and light on its feet. (AG)
Although this wine exhibited decent color, an earthy, herbal nose and a short, compact, harshly tannic personality, as well as an absence of ripe fruit, made for an unimpressive showing. The wine is short, lean, and deficient in fruit. Mayacamas fans weaned on such legendary wines as the 1968, 1970, 1973, and 1974 must be sad to see wines such as this.