1994 California Cabernet tasting

Only ones I've tried (and not recently) are '94 Montelena and '94 Napanook (it's not clear from the blog, but it's worth noting that Napanook is the "second" wine, and really shouldn't be referred to as the Dominus).

DaleW: I believe the 1994 Dominus Napanook Vineyard is "The Dominus." See

MF/Uncorked:

Well, it's certainly my mistake, as I thought I'd tried a '94 Napanook, and the Napanook wasn't started till '96- thinking back, I guess I was thinking of Joseph Phelps Napa CS. I think of Napanook to Dominus as Phelps Napa to Insignia, or Montelena Napa to Montelena Estate.

In general I'm not used to hearing Dominus's flagship wine referred to as Dominus Napanook (though the vineyard is on the label on at least some bottles), certainly not since Dominus started bottling the Napanook line. My point is that a reader might run across a bottle of a more recent vintage of Napanook and think "hey, there's the wine that beat out Montelena Estate and Mondavi PR, even though it's less than half the price"

I'm not a cab fan but when it was released I bought two cases of 1994 Mondavi cab (not the reserve, the regular one) because a friend of mine likes cab and was always complaining about my lack of cab in the house. Then he moved away...

A few weeks ago I opened a bottle-- and it was quite nice. The tannins have subsided (strong tannins are the reason I don't like cabernet) but it's still fruity and flavorful. Does not taste ten years old and is very drinkable. If I'd known this is what it'd be like ten years later I would have bought more.

Shaun Eli

I still have a few 1994s in my cellar from napa:

Silver Oak---still a baby and strong fruit-tannins remain

Montelena--still young and strong.

Phelps Insignia have not tried since release....hope its still good...only 2 bottles in cellar.

Mondavi, Reserve...drank last bottle a few weeks ago..it was outstanding.

not much else of 94.

I just checked my database, too, Dick. I've still got the Mondavi and Insignia, as well as the Dunn Howell Mtn and a bottle of Galante Red Rose Hill (long story there). I'll drink mine when you drink yours ;-)

Mark Lipton

We drank a bottle of the Insignia this past February and it was outstanding. Still has great body.

Still have the Mondavi, Beringer PR, Stag's Leap Cask 23, and some Insignias. Of the four, the Insignia showed the best this year.

All four were quite good. We tried an Opus One 94 late last year, and it was disappointing. Oddly grassy and herbal.