Paul Draper’s first solo vintage and a famous wine. This seemed miraculously youthful and concentrated - especially next to the 1978. Very deep ruby. Lots of development on the nose. One whiff of it brought back an era of California Cabernet when other producers' wines had this sort of balance and sophistication. Thick then a little dusty and dry on the finish. Complete. Very straight backed – in fact rather 1970-bordeaux like. Pure, cassis. This has lasted amazingly, (Spurrier chose the more elegant 1971 for the Judgment of Paris, to Draper's regret.) All of the vines for this would have been planted in the 1940s. A little more severe than the 1978. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

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No tasting note.

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A dark, rich, broad-shouldered wine that has peaked but is still intense. Saturated color, with mature flavors that remain in good shape; dried plum and black cherry notes that are still quite concentrated.

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