1999 Calif Cabs (mostly Napas )

[winoweenie]

So far without the usual hoopla, 99 seems to have,IMHO, made a whole passel of superior wines. I've had 35-40 so far and the amount of outstanding bottlings is running very close to the 97s at over 50%. Suggest all of you Califiles go to as many tastings as possible and judge for your very-own-selves. Meeny of these delicious darlins' come in at the 20-30 mark. I'll start a really torrid tasting regimum when I get off'n this derned sabbatical. WW

[wondersofwine]

I have a copy of the 2001 "Food and Wine" guide to wines and it gives 1999 California Cabernet Sauvigons and Zinfandels only two stars compared to three stars in 1997 and 1998! What gives! I know 1998 was a tricky vintage in California and I too thought 1999 was supposed to be better than 1998. Did the "Food and Wine" people go by early (misguided) impressions of the 1999 vintage?

[winoweenie]

Don't know for certain about their tasting regimums, but know they're the only person, mag, or oenophile I've encountered that even mentions 98 in the same breath with 97 or 99. FWIW, the 98s' are being discounted out here at from 40 to 66% on the dollar. WW