TN: 1985 Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County

1985 Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County - when I was dragging sports cars down to race in California I used to plan a return route that would take me by some favourite wineries - St Jean, Kenwood, Montelena and such and I'd buy wines that were recently released, put them in my cellar and more or less forget about them for many years. This is one of them.

Surprisingly good colour, but lean and on the acidic side when tasted right after decanting, the wine grew and expanded over a half hour, showing dark plummy fruit and caramel hints. Obviously old but it still had some good points - enough to make it enjoyable still.

I intend to get into the older California wines soon - may do a half dozen Montelena vertical as a lunch experiment - don't want them to slowly die unappreciated..

[David M. Bueker]

I’ve had a couple of 1985 from my dad’s cellar. Alive but shaky. There’s also a 1982 Montelena. That needs drinking soon.

I think that your chances of having a really good 82 Montelena are excellent and look forward to your note on it!

“Obviously old but still had some good points” is a win, I think, if a modest one. It’s also a description I can identify with! Sounds like a pleasant bottle.

I’ve had a couple of 1985 from my dad’s cellar. Alive but shaky. There’s also a 1982 Montelena. That needs drinking soon.

Every bottle of old Montelena Estate cab I've had has seemed damn near immortal -- not quite as unchanging as Dunn Howell Mtn, but not far removed either.

[David M. Bueker]

I’ve had a couple of 1985 from my dad’s cellar. Alive but shaky. There’s also a 1982 Montelena. That needs drinking soon.

Every bottle of old Montelena Estate cab I've had has seemed damn near immortal -- not quite as unchanging as Dunn Howell Mtn, but not far removed either.

The '85 Montelena from my dad's cellar was shaky. Granted he got it on the secondary market.