Three More Americans + One Bordeaux

These bottles were tasted last week at one of our tasting groups get together - thanks Jacques!
All tasted double blind.

2002 Fantesca Cabernet Sauvignon
A new acquaintance for me, and apparently their first vintage. And a good result! The nose oozes out of the glass with big, sweet black currant and blackberry fruit alongside notes of new leather, fried herbs, violets and a warm grassy note. Big and bold but just on the right side of things.
The taste is also big, warm and nicely structured with notes of black cherries, black currants, dark chocolate, warm herbs and forest floor. A long, warm finish. Not that much maturity, this premier vintage holds it all together very well.
92p   (tasted 2012/09)

2001 Napanook
A big, concentrated, fine nose with notes of chocolate covered cherries, herbs, dried flowers and corinthians. With air lots of freshly grounded coffee emerges. A very nice warmth. Open and ready for business.
The taste is steady, warm and complex with velvety cherry and black currant fruit paired with notes of old leather, autumn leaves and chocolate. A long, balanced finish. Very, very good. More mature than the Fantesca.
91p   (tasted 2012/09)

1996 Staglin Family Cabernet Sauvignon
A very deep, mature, decadent nose with gorgeous fruit in the shape of black currants, red cherries, rasberries and mulberries. Then there is notes of pipe tobacco, old leather, burning autumn leaves and a touch of eukaluptys that rises from the glass. A lovely, luscious fruit. Perfectly mature. This is stunning!
The taste is a great combination of mature, velvety, sweet fruit and a firm backbone which melts together in harmony when it flows over my palate. Notes of black cherries, chocolate, warm herbs and expensive leather. Very intense and utterly delicious.
95p   (tasted 2012/09)

1995 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
A deep, intense, moderately mature nose with notes of red and black currants, sweet undergrowth, balsa wood, dried flowers and som dry resin notes. The fruit isn´s as sweet as the previous glasses, but did I guess correctly anyway? - we all know the answer... Lots of cold coffe notes after a while. Very, very good.
But it is the taste that takes the medal - tight, sweet and with a great structure. There are notes of ripe black currants, leather, a touch of barnyard and cigarette ashes. A long, elegant finish that ends more dry than the others. In a fine drinking stage but with stuffing to last another 10+ years.
92p   (tasted 2012/09)

And now of to another tasting of American wines tonight - I´ll soon change this blogs name to Californista...:-)