SANTA CRUX MOUNTAIN VINEYARD 1994 CAB

[Jerry D Mead]

How crazy is it to make massive red wines that need to be aged, give them that needed age and still charge less than most comparable wines command? What kind of deranged person would be just releasing a 1994 red for less than $20 and not calling it "Reserve"?
You can contact the Santa Cruz asylum, er ah winery, at (831) 426-6209 or e-mail: burnap@ibm.net

Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard 1994 "Bates-Santa Cruz" Cabernet Sauvignon ($19) Really big, really bold, and even with six years already on it, will cellar nicely for another 20 years (but you can enjoy it now!). Intense blackberry and cassis fruit, with earthy, woody, tobacco-leaf complexity. A great Cabernet and a very great value. Rating: 96/94