Beaulieu Vineyard Napa Valley BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve 1991

Tipping into its tertariy phase, this was a wet vintage with cool nights, and it is majoring on tobacco, dried roses, undergrowth, mint and autumnal fruits at this point, still with a lovely freshness that holds it all together. At the height for drinking, as the aromatics start off strong but soften out after 10 minutes or so, although there is still grip on the palate. Old school, with balance and charm, a window into old school Napa. Joel Aiken winemaker, who learnt under the legendary André Tchelistcheff. This was the first vintage that they added a touch of Merlot to a wine that had been 100% Cabernet Sauvignon since launch. Also the first vintage where they added French oak, instead of just American, at this point around 50/50.