Friday night Casey and I decided to crack open one of my "gift certificate" wines from California Wine Club.
I recently won a feedback contest at the California Wine Club. I have been a member for a little over six months and I had no problem sharing feedback on such a positive experience. Within about ten days I received a call that I had won the contest and that I had a $250 gift certificate to use on their wine.
With a stocked cellar, I chose extra quality over quantity. This was the perfect chance to try higher end wines that I might not otherwise get to experience. My first choice was an aged Cabernet from my birth year; 1981. This would be far and away the oldest wine I had ever tried.
The 1981 Napa Valley Clos Du Val Cabernet Sauvignon was light on the nose right out of the bottle. We decanted for about a half hour and continued to enjoy the wine for the next hour and a half.
As the wine opened, we experienced notes of camphor, tar, and leather. This wine is very dry with a medium body and a smooth finish. On the palate was cherry and wood chips with very soft tannins and a lengthy finish.
I would have liked to try this about 10 years ago but there were still signs of life. I wouldn't push this one much further. At $80, I have had better for the price but it was great to try a wine as old as I am!
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