I got this guy pretty cheap on auction and opened it (kinda on a whim) towards the tail end of a dinner party last night. I had pretty low expectations given it’s age. The bottle seemed in decent shape, label a little soiled, but good fill level. Cork was really spongy and took some finesse to get out without breaking it.
I was pretty stoked about the nose – no mustiness, good notes of tobacco, black Cherry, maybe even a little vanilla.
It had lost most of its punch though. Almost no tannins to speak of, a bit sour almost like unripe berries. Drinkable – but not super enjoyable.
I was surprised it was only 12.8% alcohol content. Is this typical of California cabs of that era?
Fun to give it a shot. It was one bottle of a two bottle lot with a ‘75 Mondavi. Hopefully that one drinks a bit better.
Happy Sunday
by timbo415