⏱ 1 min read
The Short Version
A 1989 Château Meyney proved undrinkable after arriving with a dominant, vinegary acetic character. Meanwhile, a 2006 Diamond Mountain Cabernet offered technical proficiency and evolving fruit, yet ultimately lacked the soul and seamlessness required to transcend its heavy alcohol.
Even highly anticipated cellar selections can veer sharply off course. We recently experienced a tasting defined by extremes: one bottle that was fundamentally broken and another that, while technically proficient, simply failed to captivate.
I’m treating this strictly as the outcome of one compromised bottle
The failure of Saint-Estèphe
The evening began with high hopes for a 1989 Château Meyney from Saint-Estèphe, but the reality was a disappointment. Rather than expected tertiary complexity, we were met with a dominant acetic character. Despite providing ample time for aeration, the vinegary notes refused to dissipate, rendering the wine undrinkable. I’m treating this strictly as the outcome of one compromised bottle—not as a verdict on the estate or the vintage itself. It was an unfortunate instance of a single specimen crossing the line into spoilage.
Diamond Mountain’s muted potential
With the Meyney out of commission, we pivoted to a 2006 Andrew Geoffrey Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon from Diamond Mountain. Initially, the nose was muted, requiring patience to unlock layers of cassis, blackberry, graphite, and cedar. On the palate, it offered a full body and firm tannins that left a grippy sensation, accompanied by noticeable heat at the back of the throat. As the wine breathed and was revisited the following day, the texture softened and the fruit expanded, yet it never quite achieved greatness.
While I found the improved profile worthy of an 89 (though it felt closer to 88.5), my girlfriend sat at an 88. She appreciated the dark chocolate and full-bodied feel, but she continued to perceive alcohol at both the front and back of the palate, preventing the wine from feeling genuinely smooth or silky. It was clearly well-made, but it lacked that elusive, compelling spark. It served as an interesting study in Diamond Mountain maturity, even if it ultimately failed to click for either of us.
Have you ever encountered a legendary vintage that arrived in a compromised state?
Questions & Answers
What caused the 1989 Château Meyney to be undrinkable?
The 1989 Château Meyney from Saint-Estèphe was rendered undrinkable due to a dominant acetic character. Instead of providing the expected tertiary complexity, the wine exhibited strong vinegary notes that refused to dissipate even after being given ample time for aeration. This issue appeared to be the result of one specific compromised bottle rather than an inherent flaw with the estate or the 1989 vintage itself. The specimen had crossed the line into spoilage, making it impossible to enjoy.
How did the flavor profile of the Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon change over time?
The flavor profile of the 2006 Andrew Geoffrey Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon improved as the wine breathed and aged in the glass. Initially, the nose was muted and required patience to reveal layers of cassis, blackberry, graphite, and cedar. After being revisited the following day, the texture of the wine softened significantly and the fruit profile expanded. Despite these improvements in complexity and mouthfeel, the wine still lacked a compelling spark and never quite reached a level of true greatness.
What characteristics defined the palate of the Andrew Geoffrey Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon?
The Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon featured a full body with firm tannins that created a grippy sensation on the palate. While it offered notes of dark chocolate, it also produced a noticeable heat at the back of the throat. Reviewers noted a persistent presence of alcohol at both the front and back of the palate, which prevented the wine from feeling truly smooth or silky. Although it was technically well-made and proficient, the high alcohol perception kept it from being a standout selection.
Why did the tasting of the Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon receive mixed scores?
The wine received varying scores because of different perceptions regarding its balance and fruit expression. One reviewer assigned the wine an 89 due to its improved profile after breathing, though they noted it felt closer to an 88.5. A second reviewer rated the wine at an 88, noting that while the dark chocolate notes were pleasant, the prominent alcohol prevented a silky texture. Both tasters agreed that while the wine was technically proficient, it failed to achieve a truly captivating or elusive quality.
Originally reported by Reddit Wine.
