April 8, 2013 – Wine: 2001 Macauley Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

As I am noticing with most of the half-bottles in my collection from California’s 2001 vintage, this bottle is a little past its peak.  While still nicely balanced, and even developing a little power, its lush fruit is waning and becoming secondary on the palette.  The nose is still potent, but the palette is a little fruit-restrained, featuring flavors of leather, sour cherry, plum, cocoa powder, and minerals … even after a three-hour decant.  I expect that the 750ml bottle is now in near perfect form for drinking.

2001 Macualey Cabernet Sauvignon (photo by Christophe Le Rouzo)