Another great late arrival from the 1999 Cabernet vintage...

Girard Napa Red Wine 1999 Napa Valley, California $37
What the Wine Critics thought: Wine Spectator 91 points
Tight, dense and richly flavored, with firm currant, chocolate and blackberry flavors that are sharply focused. Reveals extra layers of depth and dimension. Firms up on the finish, where the tannins flex their muscles. Best from 2004 through 2012.

What we thought: Here is a great find, a late released 1999 Napa Cabernet, under $40 with great character. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Cabernet Franc and 18% Merlot. Dark and brooding with intense aromas of cedar and blackberry followed by a rich, soft, spicy palate of dense, dark fruit accented by notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. Reasonably firm tannins show up on the finish qualifying this as an 8 - 10 year cellar candidate.

August 13, 2003