1994 Santa Cruz Mtn Vineyard Bates Ranch

[winoweenie]

Forgot about this until BRW was on his way over yesterday so decided we needed to sample the sucker 'afore heading out. Brite ruby. Nose of tart cherry, minerals and spices. All come over on the palate along with defined cardamon and pencil shavings. The entry is still forceful, weighty center and a solid 4+ lapper finish. Last of the Bates ranch I brought home. Lovely wine. Still needs 2-4. 90/92. 24 by the box.12.5% alc. WW

[Kcwhippet]

Sure do like the wines made from Bates Ranch fruit. Several wineries get to use it, and the juice made by Byington was always good, too, though we haven't had any recently.

[winoweenie]

Jeff said after Mr. Bates death the vineyard went into disrepair and the fruit has gone south. His new approach is to find mountain fruit and blend them. His 01 is from the vineyard next to the Bates. WW

[winoweenie]

Had another of these with lunch yesterday andnot much has changed. Will probably include this in the Thurs package with BRW. A really complete Bates that is dead on top of its' game. WW

[winoweenie]

BRW and I had this along with a 94 Truchard Napa at lunch. Both wines showed the breeding of the vintage but whereas the Bates had the slight mid-palate acidic note I associate with a wines proximity to the start of decline, the Truchard still had the vibrancy of fruit and depth of flavors of a vital fully mature outstanding bottle. Both score in the 90 range but the Bates needs immediate attention while the Truchard should go another 4-7. WW

[winoweenie]

One more of these hummers with the 2nd of the NZ Rib-Eyes for lunch today. Back on the sabbatical tomorrow for the remainder of the week. Nothing to add. Just good stuff. WW

[winoweenie]

Another for lunch yesterday and my suspicions were confirmed. This once GREAT bottle is indeed in decline. I just remembered that I dint buy these suckers on release but found them summers a few years ago so the provenance isn't as good as it could have been. Nonetheless it was still a great bottle in its' heyday. WW

[winoweenie]

Making sure I get all them dudes drunked afore the disposal. This bottle seemed to have more depth and vigor than the last one which isn't too remarkable considering the provenance problems. This bottle had mature fruit with spices and cocoa showing. Seemed more like a 7 year old rather than a 14'er. Non-the-less the remaining 2-3 bottles will be outta here in the next 4-6 months. WW