Kenwood, Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Coast

Another back-of-the-cellar find, has been there on its side since 1986 with lots of dust. I expected nothing much and was surprised. Neck fill was good, the color was very good, garnet with a red-brown rim.The nose was light, spice and dark fruit. The body was not light, definite fruit and a bit of acid, no real tannins and a distinctive finish. I rate it on how much better it was than I expected; I wish I had another bottle. …

1982 vintage

This was still alive, but definitely past its peak. There was some cool menthol and cigar on the nose with a faint memory of dark curranty fruit, but also the beginnings of oxidization, not really there but might creep in after a few more years. The palate was still shockingly tannic and gritty, which might speak to more aging potential, yet, it's as though the flavors had been gradually fading while the structure remained unchanged. A cool experience to try …

1988 vintage

Very advanced for sure but it’s still enjoyable (to my tastes). Nose is very subtly black-fruited, velvety, dusty worn leather, cocoa powder on the finish. Palate is also just holding on to its fruit: barely-there blackberry, brambles, dry riverbed, dried figs and prunes. It’s definitely on its last legs but it does still have good acidity and persistence so (for me) it’s still quite enjoyable. Drink up!

1985 vintage

Tasted like shoe leather. Threw it away.

1988 vintage

Showing its age, much more advanced than a previous bottle consumed within the past year. Cedar, cola and mature plum on this one, still a slight grip and a nice 20-30 second finish. Very enjoyable with filets.

1985 vintage

After about an hour in the decanter, this wine opened up very nicely with subtle fruit and lively tannins. After all these years, this California cab was as elegant and enjoyable as a Pauillac.

1985 vintage

Honey and pepper in the smell. Taste is surprisingly acidic and fruity. Sour cherry and underripe blackberry. Black pepper, as well. Overall, fresher than expected, and not shabby.

1988 vintage

Amazing at 30 years old. This was a pleasure to experience.

1985 vintage

This really surprised us - at 27 years old, this showed like a 15 year old - a small bit over the hill, but not too far. The color was amazing for this age. Likewise the mid palate. Quite pleasing for a wine this age from a marginal California vintage.

1988 vintage

30 years old and this wine is still alive and while there is still quite a bit of tannin, the fruit is definitely in decline.

1985 vintage

Had this on December 27'2014 with our friend Grace. We were concerned that it would no longer be good but were very pleasantly surprised. The neck fill was still high. The cork crumbled upon removal, so we strained it as we poured into the decanter. The wine was soft and elegant. Overall a pleasant wine and occasion.

1982 vintage

Off putting taste out of the bottle. Poured larger glasses, let sit and it opened up, went well with steak

1988 vintage

From a Salmanazar (yes 9L). High neck fill. Wax capsule great. Cork solid and in one piece (bottle appears to have been stored upright most of its life). Color had some bricking at edges but no orange. Wine was completely smooth/silky but also flat on both the nose and palate. I get the feeling this wine had been stored for a long time as a display bottle in a 70+ F room. Not oxidized but the fruit was clearly faded …

1982 vintage

maroon in color. matchstick, tar, sun baked saddle, wet paper, on the nose. dried fruit, leather, earth, soy, on the palate. mild acid on the finish.

1988 vintage

Very mature but good if you like older wines. No flaws, surprising youthful color. The nose was dominated with cedar notes and a hint of dust. Nice red fruit at entry, no middle and a slight pleasant raisin note at the finish. My preference is younger wines.

1988 vintage

Way over the hill

1988 vintage

Very solid old Cali Cab that showed well. Good dark fruits with many layers and a mellowness that nicely softened those Cali Cab tannins but with solid bones that showcased our daughter for whom this was her birth year, celebrated at her college graduation. Nicely evolved with a pluminess, raisiny flavor around the grapes and sonoma dirt.

1988 vintage

Cedar, cherries, better than I expected by far

1982 vintage

25 Years on: 1985 Cabernets and Bordeaux Blindtasted Pt. II (Tom's House, Palo Alto, CA) : Group's #4 (my #4) – 37 pts.; 1, 1, 0, 1 – dark red violet color; odd, tart black fruit, balsamic nose; very mature, tart black fruit, tangy, balsamic palate; medium finish 83+ pts.

1985 vintage

This wine has held up well over the years. Some initial barnyard in the nose, but over the course of several hours, a complex mix of leather, cigar box, and eucalyptus came out. Soft and mature in the mouth. A pleasant, older California Cabernet, unlikely to improve from here.

1985 vintage

More rustic than I expected, with game, herbs and cassis. Needs a bit of time in the glass to tease out the finish, which is initially very clipped. Tannins still quite evident on the finish. Should be a great pairing with tonight's leg of lamb.

1982 vintage

4/08 Dark red - good fruit - cherry - structured finish - well-balanced - complexity - still has 5-10 years. 91 pts.

1982 vintage

1985 Tasting of 15 Cabernet Sauvignons (Walnut Creek, Ca.) : Lovely, rich nose, nice chocolate nose. My #4 tied.

1985 vintage

Kenwood (Hi-Time Wine Cellars, Costa Mesa, Ca.) : Great Cabernet nose, nice, rich, berry fruit, great balance, medium/big body, good, long finish, high acid.

1982 vintage

At the tasting room with K, Miranda, Dick and Flo. Showing some age. Ruby, with a tinge of orange at the rim. Bouquet is developed, but not particularly attractive. Palate is better. Approaching its apogee. Good. 5-5-15-6: 81/100.

1982 vintage

Are you sure?

Kenwood, Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Coast

Vintages

No vintages

Community Reviews