3 Napa reds

Drinks at a friend's home.

1997 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Vineyard - decanted 1½ hours after opening. Smoky nose with leather and a little woodsy notes. Improved after 45 minutes in the decanter, showing more fruit and sweetness on the palate. This wine needed time.

2004 Harlan The Maiden - decanted 30 minutes after opening, and served 1½ hours after decanting. A little sweeter on the palate, with some exotic spices and stewed prunes on the nose. Improved after 15 minutes, and definitely got sweeter on the palate with more fruit, but still on the cooked or stewed side, along with leather and smoke. A little disappointing.

2018 Cervantes Blacktail - served around 3 hours and 45 minutes after decanting. So young, such a big nose of dried herbs, with tons of vanilla, a little metallic. More than 4 hours after decanting the wine delivered a huge nose of vanilla oak. So Cali.