In Quest of an '88

[Bucko]

I culled a bunch of 88 Cabs from the cellar since the wines are seemingly doing horrid with age. I started opening bottles tonight, trying to find one decent to drink with dinner. First I opened a La Jota, Howell Mountain, not expecting much from prior experience -- nothing changed, down the drain. Next came a BV Georges, corked, grrrrr!, so I pulled the cork on another BV Georges. This bottle was sound, the wine was not. Totally disjointed, pretty undrinkable, down the drain. Next came a Duckhorn, Napa, not expecting much here either. What a surprise! Sweet, jammy, complex black fruit, a hint of olive, moderate but silky tannins, and a very long, blackberry jam aftertaste. The bottle was drained with a smile.