Score: |
90 RP. "Santa Cruz Mountain's 1986 Cabernet Sauvignon Bates Ranch is a remarkably youthful wine with a saturated ruby/purple color. The intriguing aromatics of licorice, earth, Provencal herbs and olives, and toasty new oak are dramatic. Full-bodied, chewy and brawny, as well as backward and tannic, this is a very concentrated, monster Cabernet that has still not reached full maturity. Cellar it . . . . I would not be surprised to see this wine score a few points higher in a few years - it's that impressive. The tasting notes for this section are from two single blind tastings . . ." Wine Advocate #106, Aug 1996 |