Found this single bottle of 1999 Showket CS tucked away in my wine cellar and decided to pull it out and enjoy it this evening paired with a NY Strip cooked on the grill.
History
My guess is that most haven’t enjoyed a bottle of Showket since they only made their own wine for a few years before selling the vineyard to Peter Michael in the mid-2000s. Heidi Barrett was their first wine maker followed by Russell Bevan (Bevan Cellars). Showkett mostly sold their grapes to other wine producers such as Dalla Valle, Shafer Vineyards and Bevan Cellars. The vineyard is located in Oakville and their grapes were highly sought after.
Wine
I was quite curious to see how this had aged because quite a few California Cabs aren’t built for long-term aging. When I opened the bottle and poured a small amount into the glass for tasting I was delighted to find the nose vibrant and full on dark fruit. Upon my first taste, however, I was stunned by how flat the wine tasted. I decided that since the nose was outstanding the wine must be asleep and just needed time, even after 25 years, to come alive.
After about 40 minutes my patience was rewarded and the wine came alive. It was elegant with resolved tannins while showcasing dark fruits, especially cassis and plum. I detected a hint of powdered chocolate as well. The alcohol was quiet on the palate letting the dark fruit wash over the tongue.
The 1999 Showket CS had matured nicely and was just passing it’s peak but was still a wonderful wine.
beeranden
Good find! I managed a bev program for a wine heavy restaurant and this brought back memories of inventory from the late ‘00s. I always liked the wine and hated the label.
2 Comments
Found this single bottle of 1999 Showket CS tucked away in my wine cellar and decided to pull it out and enjoy it this evening paired with a NY Strip cooked on the grill.
History
My guess is that most haven’t enjoyed a bottle of Showket since they only made their own wine for a few years before selling the vineyard to Peter Michael in the mid-2000s. Heidi Barrett was their first wine maker followed by Russell Bevan (Bevan Cellars). Showkett mostly sold their grapes to other wine producers such as Dalla Valle, Shafer Vineyards and Bevan Cellars. The vineyard is located in Oakville and their grapes were highly sought after.
Wine
I was quite curious to see how this had aged because quite a few California Cabs aren’t built for long-term aging. When I opened the bottle and poured a small amount into the glass for tasting I was delighted to find the nose vibrant and full on dark fruit. Upon my first taste, however, I was stunned by how flat the wine tasted. I decided that since the nose was outstanding the wine must be asleep and just needed time, even after 25 years, to come alive.
After about 40 minutes my patience was rewarded and the wine came alive. It was elegant with resolved tannins while showcasing dark fruits, especially cassis and plum. I detected a hint of powdered chocolate as well. The alcohol was quiet on the palate letting the dark fruit wash over the tongue.
The 1999 Showket CS had matured nicely and was just passing it’s peak but was still a wonderful wine.
Good find! I managed a bev program for a wine heavy restaurant and this brought back memories of inventory from the late ‘00s. I always liked the wine and hated the label.