My father has asked me to find a 'classic' California Cabernet that might by some chance make a serious BDX collector realize that we can produce some great age worthy wines out here.  Wines I thought of are 35 Simi, 74 Heitz Marthas, 69 Chappellet, and so on...

 

Any ides would be great, price limit is probably around $750.

 

Thanks

tt

I would suggest 1974 or even 1975 Heitz Martha's vineyard.   These are both seriously compelling and are showing very well now.

    -Dave-

 

I think JimmyV asks the right question.  CA has never been about terroir in the same way that Bordeaux is.  So, I think you need to help us with - are you looking for

a) a CA cab that has stood the test of time and is still 'great' - where great is defined in terms of CA, or

b) a CA cab that tastes like a Bordeaux

 

If you mean (a), then the late 60s are a pretty good bet.  '68 Monte Bello is a stunner, '68 and '69 Martha's are excellent - even the '68 BV is still showing well.

 

You want more age? '58 BV is doing very well as is the '51 (I prefer the egg fined).

 

You want to add a zero to your budget? Go for the '41 Inglenook - that will put an end to the debate.

 

BTW, I would not go with the '74 Martha's. It shows so much eucalyptus that while a wow wine, it is very far from a Bordeaux.  From 1974, my vote would be for the Conn Creek Eisele.