Beaulieu Vineyard Napa Valley BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1981

Fully in its tertiary phase, showcasing waves of undergrowth, soot, campfire, tobacco, oyster shell, soy. There is a core of sweet wild strawberry, but I suggest enjoying it soon, while the fruit remains in tact, as incredibly it feels a little more tired than the 1973 vintage, also tasted here. Tom Selfridge’s last vintage as winemaker, and Joel Aiken would have blended and bottled it in his first vintage. American oak for ageing, not new.