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When will these bottles be ready to drink?
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When will these bottles be ready to drink?

What is the optimal aging for each of these three bottles? I want to enjoy them at their peak but obviously don’t want to miss that either.

1: Spring Mountain 1998. Cab Sauvignon, Merlot, cab franc

2: Chateau Montelena, 2006. Cab Sauvignon

3: Frank Family, 2013 Reserve. Cab Sauvignon

by OkLettuce338

23 Comments

  1. flyingron

    The Spring Mountain 1998 has probably already peaked. The others are probably quite drinkable now but if you are inclined, you might hold them longer.

    ,

  3. smelling_farts

    Depends how you like your wine.

    Spring mtn is probably ready, if not past peak.

    Montelena can be long lived, and frank family may be in its sweet spot.

  4. MuchCombination1553

    Peak is subjective and life too short. I’d drink these. Especially the 98, as it was not a great vintage.

  5. Sea_Entertainment848

    Whenever you’re ready to open them.

  6. vinceds

    Subjective on what you like as a wine enthusiast.

    Do you prefer tertiary aromas and lesser tannins coming with age ? (Leather, meaty, tobacco, earth…)

    Or do you prefer bolder fruit and thicker tannins ?

    If you enjoy older wines, i think 20 years on a prime red is worth opening, vintage dependent.

    If you prefer younger wines, i wouldnt go past 10 years if not less.

  7. disco_cerberus

    I had the Spring Mountain ‘98 recently (alongside the ‘88) and they’re drinking great.

    Haven’t had the Montelena. But 2006 was a hot year. Not sure how those are aging.

    I love Napa’s 2013’s. I’d hang onto another 10 years.

  10. OldTimberWolf

    I’m ready to drink them right now, where should we meet up?

  11. rnjbond

    Having had the 2008 Montelena recently, the 2006 is likely in a great spot, but will also last for a long time and benefit from air. 

  15. Diuleilomopukgaai

    Not the 2006, but a 2005 Montelena estate recently. Could still do a couple of years in the cellar, but also at a pretty good spot right now.

    At least half an hour in a decanter before killing it with NY Strip

  16. Last-Detective-3758

    Now bro for all of them. Might have missed on the peak for my tastes, but still will be a pleasant drinking experience. Don’t expect much fruit left in those. Even the 2013. Going to be all leather, tobacco, and maybe the slightest hind if dried dark fruits

  17. Yellow_Curry

    This is why you buy a case of wine, you’ll drink 4 too early, 4 at the peak, and 4 you’ll never get to.

  18. sid_loves_wine

    Pop them all open tonight with an epic group of friends and then post tasting notes legend

  20. OkLettuce338

    Thanks everyone. I love old leathery wines. I’ll drink the spring mountain and chateau montelena and leave the frank family vineyards to age a little more.

  22. SkullLeader

    I did a tasting at Spring Mountain a few weeks ago. We tried a 1979 cab and yeah it was shoe leather. Not to my personal taste. We had another cab from 2011 and another from just a few years ago and both far better to me.

  23. yangstyle

    Anytime is a good time for any wine, IMHO. For me, 7-10 years old is the sweet spot. For you, it may be different. Tertiary flavors don’t have much appeal for me. YMMV