1994 Clos Du Val Cabernet question

I have not tasted the 94, but I notice that Hugh Johnson lists it in red in his 2005 pocket guide, which indicates that it is one of the best vintages of Clos Du Val for drinking in 2005. Also Clos Du Val has made many wines that age very well. I still have a few bottles of their 1974 CS, which is a little lighter now, but still drinking very well. This wine often requires several years of age to be at the best.

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If properly stored at 55F the better California cabernets of 1994 are still quite young. The regular bottling of Clos du Val Cabernet is probably not real impressive at this point but the Reserve is still drinking quite well.

1994 was a pretty huge California Cab vintage. Even the ordinary Clos du Val bottling is probably showing well now.

Dana

You've already gotten answers to your question, but I wanted to add that when a wine becomes "too old," what happens is that it doesn't taste as good as it used to. It doesn't become poisonous, and there's never a reason not to try it. I would never throw away a wine before tasting it. Even if all the experts in the world tell you it's too old, they might be wrong and it's worth trying.

I just finished my 1994 Silver Oaks Alexander at small dinner party. Also a

1992 of same. In my opinion they had peaked and likely not getting any better.

They were enjoyable wines. In my opionion they did evolve but I think were excellent in their youth. The age did make them more supple...but not more complex.