Beaulieu Vineyard Napa Valley BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1973

This is sitting snugly in its drinking window, retaining enough freshness to keep focus on blackberry fruits, tobacco leaf, mint. Succulent, with fine tannins. Exceptional, relatively cool vintage giving extended hang time, and enough concentration to take it through the years. It doesn’t feel young, but it feels vibrant and alive, and is just so moreish. André Tchelistcheff’s last vintage (before his later return). Entirely American oak barrels for ageing, no new oak.