464311 Tue Nov 27 19:37:39 -0800 2007 0 34 Wine 0 3160329 TN - Nickel & Nickel John C Sullinger Vineyard, Napa, Oakville, CA, Cabernet Sauvignon ‘99. Well, another thread led me to want to examine my N&N Sullinger, so here I am. I had this wine several times, prior to putting in a half-case. In its youth, I recall it as being very fruit-forward, but uneven around the edges. Amazing what seven years in the cellar can do. This is the first bottle, that I’m tapping. Maria Lorraine made some comments about N&N Sullinger, that caused me to be a bit afraid. She had encountered two “corked” bottles, in a row, though I do not recall the vintage. I chose this bottle, as its capsule was slightly distended, maybe by 1/16th inch. The cork, however, was actually slightly below the lip of the bottle. I worried This wine is almost opaque purple, with a bit of lightening at the meniscus. It looks more like a big Shiraz, than a Cab, due to the opaqueness – a Petite Sirah. This probably comes from the extraction. The nose is sweet blackberry, and dark cherry, with a hint of cigarbox cedar/juniper, but only a hint. There is a definite “sweetness” on the nose, that I do not recall, when I did the barrel tastings. On the fore-palate, I get cinnamon and cardamom, along with dark fruit, though a lot less, than I anticipated. The big, in-your-face fruit has mellowed quite a bit. Amazing what some years in the cellar can do. Things came together well, though I kinda’ miss some of that fruit. It’s there, but muted a bit – no “fruit bomb” now. The tannins do come in, but are smooth, and late. Mellow is the best that I can find to describe them. Everything seems in balance, though the body is lighter, than I expected. The ABV is listed as 14.3%. The “liner notes” state: “elegant flavors of plum and cherry, mingled with notes of coffee and light tea... “ I did not find the coffee, but with a retro-nasal, the tea did come into play. The finish was medium-long, and very enjoyable. The wine might now be on the decline, as the fruit was MIA, but still enjoyable. I would have anticipated a window of about 5 – 10 years, but that might have been a tad generous. A good wine, but not a “great” one. Now, here’s hoping that the other five will be as nice. I think that the drinking window is getting smaller now, so I plan on emptying this wine to make room for some other Cabs. Hunt Tue Nov 27 19:37:39 -0800 2007 11329 Bill Hunt