Two heavy hitters

[Bucko]

2002 Altamura, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, $65, 4,000 cases. This inky beast is an intense, extracted, jammy wine, delivering black fruit, new leather and cedary vanilla. Give it two to three years to calm down; 88/87.

2001 Kenwood, Cabernet Sauvignon, Artist Series, Sonoma County, California, $70, 2,338 cases. This deep ruby/purple Cab is underscored by black cherries, currants, warm spices and French oak. It is very elegant on the entry, with polished tannins and terrific acidity. The Art Deco styled label features “Femme Bleue a la Guitare.” 88/87.

[Kcwhippet]

Never had the Altamura. It and the Kenwood Artists are priced a bit above what I want to spend in my dotage. After all, I don't want to leave a pile of wine larger than many shops (guess who) behind when I go.

[Bucko]

Yeah, these are all samples. The value is not there for me. I can get two really tasty Rhones for the same tariff.

[brappy]

This may be a little off topic but I've never had the Altamura. I do have two bottles of the '01 downstairs. Do any of you have any notes on the wine. I'm wondering when to open. And if they're worth what I paid (Special deal $30 per).

mark

[Kcwhippet]

2001 was generally a good year for just about everyone in CA, so just based on that I'd say you have some decent wines. You got them at less than half what Bucko reports, so you got a good deal. As for ageability, I'm thinking you can open them anytime, but you might be rewarded if you leave them alone for another 5 to 10.

[Innkeeper]

If the '01 was made like Bucko describes the '02 ("intense, extracted, jammy"), I'd bet more on five than ten!

[winoweenie]

Went back on my tasting notes and found them to be(GASP!!!COUGH!!!GURGGLE!!!) almost identical to the mighty Buck-Snorts. I found a little more black fruits than he reported but didn't like the wine enough to buy for the cellar. Don't have the 01 either. WW

[brappy]

OK, Thanks, I'll just ignore them for awhile.