1986 St. Clement Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

The 1986 Cabernet Sauvignon offers a young, ruby/purple color with an opaque center. The classic nose of blackcurrants, toasty new oak, and vanilla is exactly what a classroom of oenologists would expect from a California Cabernet Sauvignon. This medium to full-bodied, still youthful wine possesses pure blackcurrant fruit, adequate acidity, and a harmonious, well-balanced finish. It should be drunk now and over the next decade. This is a surprisingly strong showing for this winery's 1986. 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.