1986 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

The 1986 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa exhibits super aromatics (licorice, smoke, blackcurrants, herbs, and vanilla), as well as lofty levels of tannin. This fat, full-bodied Cabernet is delicious, but will the high tannin ever melt away or become better integrated? Nevertheless, this is an impressively rich, muscular, chewy mouthful of Cabernet Sauvignon that should continue to drink well for 10-12 years. 1986 was the last outstanding vintage for the Joseph Phelps portfolio of Cabernet Sauvignons until the 1991 vintage (although 1990 was good, it was not as superb as the vintage's quality would suggest). The tasting notes for this section are from two single blind tastings, one conducted in May, 1996, in California, and the other in June, 1996, in Baltimore.