1997 Justin Isosceles

[Glass_A_Day]

This was a very nice wine, but I fear I'm loosing it. Maybe I just don't drink enough big dollar wines anymore and I've lost my palet. This was probably the third or fourth bottle that I've owned since release (so there are no known storage issues) that I've opened recently that just was empty to me. There was nice soft red fruit, but it seems that's all I ever get from aged Cabernet lately. No wow factor whatsoever. I am afraid that all the $10 syrah and zin I've been drinking over the last year has made me loose my ability to pick out the finer nuances and complexities in the better bottles stored in my cellar. Argh...

[Innkeeper]

Can't agree that you a loosing it. I don't want to throw stones at this particular winery, but softness (accompanied with loss of flavor) is another very disturbing trend in California reds, not just Cab. One way to avoid it, is to try to find reviews of wines, particularly expensive wines, and look for signs of softeness in the review. Frequently reviewers will come right out and say it.

[redsauced]

GAD, I feel your pain. On a recent visit to Napa Valley, I stopped by Corison Winery the home of some previously stellar Cabs. I was excited that they pouring library wines. I tasted and purchased a '93 cab. Seemed pretty special in the moment, and the folks pouring were all excited over this '93, tasting along with me, and saying how this was the "moment" for this vintage. 2 months later I opened the bottle, and what a letdown! Soft to the point of no return, or as the Aussies say, "past it." $80.00 bucks wasted. Was the winery trying unload some mature product? Or was it the old end of day tasting where you're falling in love too easy. Sure hope my treasured Dunn Cabs aren't "past it" as well!

[winoweenie]

Think you may have answered your own question Red. 93 was a very spotty vintage and lokking back I dint' buy a bottle of too many wines. Sounds like, looks like, could be....clearance time. WW

[Drew]

That's why $40's my limit (could also be an empty wallet) [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]. The few over $40 wines I've had did not "Wow" or "shiver my timbers"..not one! So that's my limit. I get more enjoyment out of the search for diamonds in the ruff.

Drew

[redsauced]

D,

Found any diamonds lately? My current house wine is the 2003 Claudius Cabernet Sonoma 9.99 at The Wine Club San Francisco. I don't know if it's a diamond though. Today at K&L there is an Oregon and Washington tasting. Might be nice to get out of California for a day, might be better value in the Pacific Northwest.

RS

[robr]

I pretty much only drink the diamonds in the rough (which are frequently not diamonds) but amongst cabs I have really liked Avalon, Hess Select, and J. Lohr. All are under $20.