1995 BV Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve
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Tasting notes
1995 was a warmer vintage of lower yields from poor fruit set. The result is a relatively generous Georges de Latour Private reserve with lower acidity and a rich, opulent fruit profile. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged for 22 months in 100% new oak (55% French and 45% American), the 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Georges de Latour has a medium to deep brick color with expressive dried blackberries, Black Forest cake and crème de cassis notes plus hints of cigar box, bouquet garni and coffee beans. Full-bodied (the alcohol is 13.9%), concentrated, firm and grainy, the palate delivers loads of relatively youthful fruit, with seamless freshness, finishing long and spicy. 13,000 cases were made.
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Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Bright red-ruby. Aromas of cassis, licorice and menthol, plus some coconut lactones from the oak element. Quite concentrated on entry, then sweetened in the middle palate by the strong oak component, which also has the effect of accentuating the tannins. In a distinctly dark-fruit style but a bit blocky and monolithic in spite of its velvety texture. This strikes me as typical Napa Valley in style but less specifically Rutherford; in fact, Beaulieu used some Calistoga fruit in their Georges de Latour for several vintages beginning in 1969, obtained when their then-owner Heublein purchased Christian Brothers Vineyard, which they renamed BV #12. This should go on for many more years but I'm not sure that it will gain in distinction. (13.9% alcohol; 3.81 pH; 5.8 g/l acidity; aged for 22 months in 55% French and 45% American oak barrels, all new)
(The winery says 13.5% alcohol, but the label states 14.2%): Healthy bright, dark red. Dark cherry, currant and licorice aromas are accented by menthol and herbs. Boasts a rather suave texture and nicely integrated acidity, with some distinctly cool elements counterpointed by a suggestion of sweetness. Finishes with granular, dusty, somewhat drying tannins and slightly edgy acidity.
Bright ruby-red. Aromas of raw currant, coffee and smoked meat. Lush yet somewhat stunted flavors of black cherry and cassis. A substantial wine with plenty of fat and structure, but seems a bit pinched, even short today. The tannins build with aeration. Needs time in bottle.
About the producer
Beaulieu Vineyard remains one of the most historically important wineries in Napa Valley. It is it one of the longest continuous running wineries in the region, as one of the few that kept operating throughout Prohibition.