1974 Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Open That Bottle Night 2022

    February 28, 2022 10:25

    Open That Bottle Night 2022

    If it is the last Saturday of February you all know what I am going to write about-OTBN! Like me you may have circled February 26 on your calendar-or at least made an appointment on your phone. From the handy Days of the Year description: “Reveling in the idea that great wine is just meant to be shared, Open That Bottle Night is all about creating memories and telling stories of those special shared moments. This is the perfect time to remove that cork and get down to the business of enjoying life.”

    Created 22 years ago by two Wall Street Journal columnists, Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, ‘Open That Bottle Night’ (OTBN) is an annual occasion that aims to motivate people to reconnect with each other over a special bottle. In my opinion it is a celebration of what’s in your cellar/closet/wine rack or fridge. A day set aside to open a bottle of wine that was saved for a special occasion or one that has special meaning from a trip abroad or to Wine Country.

    Here are a few things to think about while deciding which wine to open:
    Where did the wine come from, what vacation story is behind it or was it a special gift? What vintage story do you have to tell such as where were you in 1974 or what were you doing in 1996? Have I waited too long? Is the timing right? You’ll have to use your own judgement as you dust off the bottle or pull it from the wine fridge. Enjoy the next couple of stories which were sent my way in the last few weeks.

    From Leigh G, Portland OR-
    I bought the 1996 Pedroni-Bushnell Zinfandel from you in your new tasting room approximately 4 ½ years ago during the Passport to Dry Creek Valley event.  I’ve kept the wine in my 2nd wine cooler, which runs a little colder at approximately 50 degrees. I decided to bring it to share with seven friends for an annual dinner. 

    We had the luxury of having a sommelier open the wine.  A little problem with the cork, but he was a professional and proceeded to decant the wine.  The wine had a beautiful dark brown red color, which is typical of an aged wine prime for drinking.  Good legs on the glass and a pleasant nose of fruit.  The wine opened with rounded plum and berry tones, then a punch of soft tobacco on the mid pallet with very soft tannins. It finished with warm baking spices (clove, nutmeg, cinnamon) on the back end. We all so enjoyed the wine!

    And from Dan N, Port Townsend WA, I received a bottle of our well-aged 1974 Cabernet Sauvignon in January and knew I wanted to save it for this year’s OTBN. Here are excerpts from his letter:

    “I was going through my wine storage, an unheated underground room, when I uncovered this bottle of your 1974 Cabernet Sauvignon. This bottle was purchased by me at your winery sometime in the late 1970s when I made an annual summer drive from my home outside San Diego to my ancestral home in Washington State.

    I did a search and ran across your Vino in My Dino comments on February 17, 2015. Your article was prompted by someone who had just opened and tasted the 1974 Cabernet. It noted a drop off in fruitiness and VIMD suggested that the vintage may not last much longer.

    Two years ago, I received radiation for cancer and the therapy resulted in significant impairment of my taste. I no longer drink wine for pleasure. Although I will share a bottle with guests, I’m always uncertain as to whether my sensation is an accurate reflection of the wine’s characteristics.

    Therefore, I’m sending this bottle to you. First and foremost is to give you a chance to review it for yourself. Second is the hope that you can give me your reaction to the wine in what is probably it’s closing years. (I’m 88 and well past my ‘pull date’ but, somehow, I surprise myself and others as I manage my orchard and extensive yard as well as a very successful HOA). An email report would be appreciated.

    I still drive to San Diego, usually on 101 to Richmond then to I-5. As soon as the pandemic permits, I will be on the road again and will stop to pick up some of your wines for my friends. In Vino Veritas."

    We celebrated OTBN a little early because I wanted to invite staff to join me when we opened the 1974 Cabernet. At 3pm on Friday Jim carefully maneuvered the cork out of the bottle with an AhSo opener (two pronged to ease an older more delicate cork out of the neck). I had set it upright for a few weeks to stabilize after its’ journey from Dan’s cellar to ours. My dad Jim contributed another gem from our cellar here at the winery, the 2001 Four Grapes Vintage Port. We tasted together and here are the results.

    1974 Cabernet w glass 21974 Cabernet Sauvignon: Pale brick in color with notes of dried berries and cedar on the nose. The flavor was lifted by the acidity and tannin still present and the finish was long. Flavors carried through with notes of berry and a hint of warm spice. Drink it if you have it in your cellar.

    2001 Four Grapes Vintage Port: Tawny in color, clear, toffee, caramel and toasted nut flavors, rich in taste and a keeper for a few more years.

    Thank you Leigh and Dan for sharing your thoughts and your wine. It always amazes me how wine comes alive even after years in the cellar.

    Tags: Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley, Pedroncelli, 1974 Cabernet Sauvignon, Library Wine
    Categories: Note from Home
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