1996 Lail Cabernet Sauvignon J Daniel Cuvée
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Tasting notes
There are 600 cases of the 1996 J. Daniel Cuvee, a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot. It exhibits a dense ruby color with a purple hue. The classy nose of chocolate, cassis, black cherries, and toast is followed by a medium to full-bodied offering with outstanding ripeness, sweet tannin, and a layered, multi-dimensional personality. Delicious, and already revealing considerable complexity, it can be drunk now and over the next 15 years. Kudos to John and Robin Lail for the efforts they have produced to date. The talented young Frenchman, Philippe Melka, is their winemaker. Phone 707-965-1300; fax 707-965-1311
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Red-ruby. More leafy aromas of currant, cherry, mocha, chocolate, cedar and rust, along with a superripe note of beefsteak tomato reflecting the high percentage (73%) of merlot. Warm flavors of roasted plum and chocolate; shows good intensity but limited fat. The tannins initially came across as rougher than those of the '97, but grew sweeter and plumper as the wine opened in the glass. Owing to the heat spikes in '96, Lail made two passes through her Yountville merlot vineyard, the first in early September and the second nearly a full month later.