Four decades of California Cabs

This seemed much more obviously Cabernet and a bit drier and less hedonistic than the (riper) 1994 served (blind) alongside it. There was freshness on the finish after some obviously sweet fruit in the middle and some tannins still to be resolved. All in all this seems to be ageing at much the same rate as a good red bordeaux 1995. (JR)

Mid ruby with a lightly animal note that threw us blind tasters off the scent completely. We hovered and havered between the southern Rhône and right bank bordeaux (which, in a way, a long way, it sort of is). Very sweet and transparent, a bit like a mature Châteauneuf!  We should have ignored the fact that our host's cellar is 90% French... It didn't seem to have that much more life in it but was an attractive notably ripe drink. (JR)

Still remarkably concentrated and vigorous. Very sweet but not flabby with very obvious Cabernet character and something minerally on the finish. A topnote of black pepper. Both rich and dense – heaven. Still quite a way to go. A great bottle. (JR)

Both sweet and savoury on its beguiling nose. Lots of lift and subtlety with a bone dry finish but great appetising fruit and drive. Surely one of the world's best red wines from this uncelebrated vintage? Bravo! (JR)

Thick and sweet – duller, simpler and more earthbound than the Monte Bellos on the nose but with great concentration. Impressive. Still some vigour here. Bought from Reid Wines in the UK. Bernard Portet was presumably pretty impressed and denoted it Reserve. (JR)

13.3%

Fresh and lively. Sweet, round, more transparent than the 1978 Reserve but still long and rich even if it doesn't have that much more to give. But it's still a long term wine to judge from the suggested drinking window! (JR) 12.8%

The level on this bottle was quite low, apparently, and the wine seemed old and relatively volatile. There was a certain decayed richness here but it was definitely on the way out. Made during the André Tchelistcheff era at BV. (JR)

This was a glorious if extremely mature bottle. Quite pungent and pale and very sweet with just a slight lack of acidity but overall gorgeous! Presumably imported into the UK by Averys, who were then the importers. (JR)