Freemark Abbey 1978 Napa Cabernet Bosche: I have had several bottles
of this over the years, and all were stored properly since shortly
after release. A bottle opened before this last one a few years showed
hints of decline, but it might not be typical. This last bottle is in
the early stage of decline and has developed a hint of bitterness and
a very slight hint of oxidation. Otherwise the wine is very good with
complex dark fruit, deep color, and good balance. Unless one has
stored the wine in a very cold cellar, such as some cellars cut deep
into the mountains in the Mosel region of Germany, then anyone who
still has some should taste it very soon.

Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon 1976. This a 100% Cabernet
Sauvignon. I have stored it properly since release, and there were no
issues. This wine was very slow to mature, but it is now ready and
could easily last for 50 years or more. This is no monster, as were
many "top" 1970s. The alcohol content is just a bit over 12%. The
color is still very deep, with just mild age indicated around the rim.
The 2 word description of this wine is "perfect balance". There is a
complex cassis dark fruit taste and bouquet. The tannins now are soft
and rounded. There is enough acid to balance. The aftertaste is very
long. This is one of the best California CSs that I have had in a long
time. Fortunately I have 5 remaining bottles.

On Tuesday, July 24, 2012 8:57:24 PM UTC-6, cwdjrxyz wrote:
> Freemark Abbey 1978 Napa Cabernet Bosche: I have had several bottles
> of this over the years, and all were stored properly since shortly
> after release. A bottle opened before this last one a few years showed
> hints of decline, but it might not be typical. This last bottle is in
> the early stage of decline and has developed a hint of bitterness and
> a very slight hint of oxidation. Otherwise the wine is very good with
> complex dark fruit, deep color, and good balance. Unless one has
> stored the wine in a very cold cellar, such as some cellars cut deep
> into the mountains in the Mosel region of Germany, then anyone who
> still has some should taste it very soon.
>
> Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon 1976. This a 100% Cabernet
> Sauvignon. I have stored it properly since release, and there were no
> issues. This wine was very slow to mature, but it is now ready and
> could easily last for 50 years or more. This is no monster, as were
> many "top" 1970s. The alcohol content is just a bit over 12%. The
> color is still very deep, with just mild age indicated around the rim.
> The 2 word description of this wine is "perfect balance". There is a
> complex cassis dark fruit taste and bouquet. The tannins now are soft
> and rounded. There is enough acid to balance. The aftertaste is very
> long. This is one of the best California CSs that I have had in a long
> time. Fortunately I have 5 remaining bottles.

Drank my last bottle of Cabernet Bosch in 2002 and my tasting notes were that it had become quite nasty and almost dirty tasting by the last bottle. It was part of a 1/2 case purchased in 1980 and well stored and the others were very good. My oldest Monte Bello is 1978 and just have one orphan bottle of that left. Tasted the 1976 in 1982 and was still very young and tannic..