| 1978 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley |
| Brick red in color, with pronounced amber rim ; penetrating bouquet - spicey currant fruit ; full, rich on the palate - still some tannins - but very fine black currant fruit augmented with some cedary hints ; long lasting finish. |
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| 1979 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley |
| More ruby color, with a much smaller amber tint on the edge ; perfumy - deep, rich berry fruit ; round, full bodied - again some tannins - but much more fruit, slightly oak edged ; finishes attractively, with more fruit, but doesn't last as long as the '78. |
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| 1980 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley |
| Excellent ruby color ; spicey, oak tinged bouquet - delicate, but extremely rich ; much rounder on the palate than the previous two wines, with fewer tannins ; elegant and stylish, with a massive display of black currant fruit; the finish is astonishing - lingers for an extremely long time. This was the best of a fine array of Chappellet Cabs ! |
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| 1981 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley |
| Dark ruby, with an amber edge ; medium bouquet, similar to the 1979 ; not as rich as the 1980 - some peppery flavors mixed with the currant fruit ; finishes a bit flat, but lasted well in the mouth. |
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| 1982 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley |
| Bright, medium ruby color ; clean, warm , spicey nose, but a slightly off smell there, too ; more vegetal in character than the other wines, but there is still good berry fruit here, after getting past a slightly sour introduction ; lasts well. |
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| 1983 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley |
| Dark, ruby color ; attractive perfumy bouquet, featuring dark berry fruit, spices, coffee and some floral overtones; not as full bodied as some of the other wines ; clean, fresh cherry and currant fruit - some tannins, but the wine is extremely well balanced ; finishes attractively, but not as long as some of the others. |
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| 1984 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley |
| Excellent, deep, rich looking ruby color ; perfumy bouquet - a bit intoxicating - penetrating berry fruit - some floral ; velvety tannins - powerful, blackberry fruit ; finishes quite long - perhaps a bit too much oak accompanying the berry fruit. |
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| 1977 Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon - Fay Vineyard - Napa Valley |
| Medium ruby color ; attractive minty/cedary bouquet - mixed with fine berry fruit ; baked berry fruit - elegantly styled, with coffee and spices there, too ; finishes with pleasing flavors of spices and fruit - lasts out. |
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| 1985 St. Clement Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley |
| Excellent full ruby color ; spicey fruit throughout this powerful bouquet - slight oak edge ; filled with nuances of spices, coffee, great currant fruit in the flavor ; excellent balance ; an extremely attractive wine reaching a peak of perfection. |
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| General Observations |
| All of the bottles showed remarkably high fill levels, just below the corks. Remarkable tasting, in that virtually all of the wines were extremely attractive. Of the Chappellets, the 1980 was the best, while the St. Clement was exceptional. Some of the tasters also enjoyed the Heitz from Fay Vineyard. |
