2019 Lytton Springs, two thumbs up; 2019 Chateau Montelena, bleh....

[JimHow]

I didn't see much difference between the 2019 Lytton Springs and the 2020 Geyserville, they are both outstanding, I rate them both 94 points. Drink them both now and for the next 20 years if you think they will benefit from multiple blanquitos. Myself, I don't know why anyone would drink them beyond current release in the year ahead, until the next vintage. Which is what I intend to do with both Lytton Springs and Geyserville. Both are stunning, I'll take them over their Bordeaux price point equivalents any day of the week.

As for the 2019 Chateau Montelena, "yuck" is not the word as it is not unpleasant, but more just "bleh." Seriously, this is what $80 California cabernet is offering these days? This is like maybe a Ducru THIRD wine. Nothing offensive here, just light and bleh. A supermarket wine. 85 points.

[dstgolf]

Jim,

You're not referring to Montelena Estate Cab as bleh? It would be too young to drink for most and though I haven't had this in over a decade through the late 70s when it started through the late 90s I thought it was one of Calfornia's finest. Isn't it well over $200 and even the Napa Valley Cab is over a $100 which I'd agree is bleh!

[hautbrionlover]

Doesn’t sound to me like the Estate Cab

[DavidG]

Agree, unlikely to be the Estate, which is usually in the $175-200 range.

That said, I don’t doubt the note or the disappointment with what is often available from Napa in the $50-100 range.

[JimHow]

Yes, it was not the estate cab. But still, it was like $70 plus on sale.