First time posting here and I’m a bit of a newb… but I was still able to identify great value when I saw a 74 stags leap at a wine bar in Brooklyn for just $200, just 1 yr off the legendary Paris judgment contender. Limited experience in old vintages (oldest I tried prior to this was maybe a 25 yr old second or third growth Bordeaux) and didn’t take notes but will summarize what I remember.
Plums, ripe strawberries, practically no secondary notes and no tannins left given the age and good decanting to leave out all sediments, definitely picked up some earthy mineral notes but couldn’t associate it w Napa or stags leap terroir given lack of previous exposure to Napa cabs (Ive mostly had old worlds especially French prior to this). My casual drinking friend’s tasting notes: “it tastes like an incredibly smooth unsweet grape juice with alcohol”.
Anyhow it was incredible to try a younger sibling to the legendary 73 and also try a pre 97 style Napa cab
Dining and Cooking