1991 Guilliams Napa Valley

[Innkeeper]

1991 Guilliams, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District, Cabernet Sauvignon. Got this back in '94 for twenty something dollars, and laid 'er down. Opened tonight and matched it with a very nice grill-panned porterhouse steak, prepared the usual way. Decanted the wine a hour before dinner. It was still a huge cab; and no wonder at 13.1% alcohol. Fortunately it must have started with more than ample tannin and acid. Dark purple color looked super. Showed cassis syrup with a hint of eucalyptus on the nose, and upfront taste which also still had a hint of blackberries. Bold complexity with vanilla nuances and some residual tannin on the palate, and a finish that Mrs IK wouldn't let go of for a long, long time. Have not seen or heard from this wine or winery since acquiring it, but would get more if possible.

[This message has been edited by Innkeeper (edited 03-22-2001).]

[winoweenie]

IK. Tis' a new one on me too, but most wines from Spring Mtn are okie-dokie. Even Mike Robbins couldn't screw them up too badly. WW

[Innkeeper]

If anyone is interested, some info can found at: www.winetoday.com/winery/0000211.html . They only make the cab. Wine Today gave the '95 a three and half star rating, and advise that distribution is by mailing list. Got mine seven years ago from Grove Street Brokers, who must be on the list. The good news is that the current vintage sells for $27.50.

[This message has been edited by Innkeeper (edited 03-16-2001).]

[ddf68]

I was at Pride in October telling their tasting room guy that I was starting to develop a taste for Spring Mountain Cab. He recommended that we go to Guilliams. They weren't accepting visitors that day, so we didn't go, but, for what it's worth, the Pride guy seemed to think very highly of them.

ddf