1979 Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour
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Tasting notes
Medium to deep brick colored, the 1979 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Georges de Latour features well-defined dried cranberries, redcurrant jelly and stewed plums notes with hints of dried lavender, eucalyptus, bouquet garni, damp soil and pencil shavings plus a touch of leather. Medium-bodied and sporting a modest alcohol level of 13%, the palate offers fantastic intensity and a firm, chewy frame, culminating in loads of savory and exotic spice-accented layers on the finish. This vintage is currently holding a nice plateau, so no rush to drink. 23,000 cases were made.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Good full deep red. Complex if rather subdued aromas of cassis, cherry, spices, flowers and loam, plus a freshening eucalyptus note that was probably due to a row of eucalyptus trees planted next to the BV #3 vineyard (now Andy Beckstoffer's Georges III vineyard), which at the time was part of the Georges de Latour blend. Vibrant red berry and spice flavors convey noteworthy energy for a 40-year-old bottle. The wine's intriguing spicy complexity carries through on the finish, which features distinctly firm tannins that turned a bit dusty in the glass. This wine gives the impression of being in a state of suspended animation. (13% alcohol)
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.