1986 Dehlinger Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

One of the stars of my blind tasting, this opaque black/purple-colored wine reveals no amber or lightening at the edge. A huge nose of jammy black fruits, licorice, smoke, truffles, and underbrush, is followed by a thick, jammy, super-concentrated wine that offers up gobs of chocolatey, black fruit flavors, and well-integrated acidity, tannin, and wood. In spite of the wine's richness, high extraction, and power, it is remarkably well-balanced, supple, succulent, and delicious, although still extremely young. Owners of this wine may want to consume a bottle soon, but I think it will be even better with 2-4 more years of cellaring; it will keep for 10-15 years. Wow! 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.