In part 3 of this special 6 part series on Wynn’s Black label Cabernet we traced the vineyard production across the decades.
Now in part 4 here are the tasting notes 1954 – 1975. Score out of 100 follow each of the tasting notes of each vintage.
Look for years you have in your cellar.
1954
This had been a revelation at the 50th tasting and proved so again at the 60th anniversary even though it is now coming to the end of its life. Very mature yet with some depth. Beef stock and dusty earth notes with the palate, even exhibiting a little chocolate. It did fade rather quickly in the glass, but while it was with us, amazing old wine. 89
1955 (Cabernet/Shiraz)
One of the duds of the tasting. Deep color, but after that, dull, short, and seemingly impacted by a substandard cork. Past.
1956 (Cabernet/Shiraz)
A complete and complex wine. Dark fruits, spices, light chocolate dusting. Fine tannin’s and offering ideal balance for such an old wine. There is good length, but at the very end, a slight stewed/sour-fruit note and even a hint of mint. 90
1957
Opening with a delightfully alluring aroma, gentle florals, choc-mint and earthy notes. Reasonable length, with quite fine tannins, but it did not maintain the very intensity throughout and did fade. 88
1958
Dark colors with a brown/teak edge. This is a traditional old-fashioned Aussie-style red, a touch porty. Chocolate and hazelnut notes. Some plushness, but it did become tough going and a little chunky. Nose promised more than the palate delivered. 88
1959
This was not just the wine of the decade but one of the best at the 60th vertical. Dry herbs, animal hides, red fruits, though past any primary characters. A lovely dusty, smokey note. Some sweetness remains on the palate, which moves to chocolate and coffee characters. Still offers power and length. 97
1960
It drank well at the earlier 50th tasting but really shone here. Lovely aromas, a mature wine but very much alive. A refined, elegant style, and one with complexity. Choc/cherry notes, tobacco leaf, dry herbs. A very, very long finish, during which it maintained its intensity. Glorious stuff. 93
1962
First impression was that it did not have quite the same class as 1960, but with time in the glass it became more and more intriguing. Earth, forest notes, handfuls of dirt, dry vegetation, old cigars and animal skins. Good length to a slightly puckering finish. 94
1964
Quite fleshy and generous. There is mint here. Dry herbs, prunes, oriental spices, and a stone-fruit character more akin to Cote Rotie. Over time, peaches-and-apricot character emerged. Maintained both its intensity and its elegance. But anyone blessed with a bottle, drink it shortly after opening and you will be delighted. 90
1965
There is a degree of plushness here, with notes of bananas, smokiness, stewed plums. It is too short, falling over quite quickly, but before then it shows no real varietal or regional character, it drinks nicely. Just don’t wait around. 86
1966 (magnum)
Mature rim surrounds dark red hues. Cassis, dark berry notes, spices, hints of dark chocolate. All rather thrilling. This is an impeccably balanced wine, completely comfortable. Good length and grip. It continued to improve in the glass for a considerable period. 96
1967
Appealing coffee-bean notes, dark fruits, and complexity. Nicely balanced and well focused. It opens with good length and intensity and, drunk immediately, would definitely impress. But with time in the glass, it did start to fade rather quickly. 90
1968
Some lovely truffley, fungal notes, a hint of mint, coffee beans, roast meats, an aroma one might encounter the moment you step through the door of your favorite delicatessen. Balance, yes, but what impresses is the real elegance of the wine. Impressive length. A wine that, despite its age, would seem to have a future. 95
1969 Cabernet Hermitage
This wine was the forerunner to the Red Stripe red, and while the ’68 may have transformed opinions of it, not so here. Both were tired, a touch of oxidation. There were some dark, raisiny notes, dark chocolate, but it faded quickly. No finish. 82
1970
A wine that comes across as mature in every way. And she does not have long. Some cloves, fungal notes, meaty touches. This is pleasant at best. 87
1971
A vintage famous for producing one of the all-time great Granges, and it seems quality was wide spread that year. A wine that shone at both the 50th and 60th tastings. Depth of color, seamless, plush, and firmly balanced. Cassis and cigar box notes. Concentration, power, and a real future. 94
1972
A curious wine – all over the place. Soy sauce, mushrooms, sarsaparilla, even a caramel note. Some grip but a hot finish. Some appealing flavors, but not the requisite balance. 87
1973
Inevitably, some wines were going to be well past their best, and this was one of them. Comfortable as old slippers and quite mature, but a softer style that faded a little too quickly. Forgettable. Past
1974
This brings to a close a trio of vintages that were considered undistinguished at best. This wine lacked focus. An older and slightly dilute wine that drifted away before one had much of a chance to get to know it. Finishes with a slight vegetal note, Past
1975
The 1970’s took a turn for the better with this vintage. Mature color and with aromas of boot leather and oriental spices. Christmas cake, tobacco leaf, a hint of chocolate, and some cigar-box notes. Seamless, with good concentration. A lovely, seemingly creamy texture. Fine tannins. Impressive wine that got better and better. 94
In part 5 review the tasting notes of vintages 1976 – 1997.
