Powell Yang Director of Sales & Consignments
Spectrum Wine Auctions
Spectrum Mic-Drop - Inaugural Offer
My passion for wine was ignited unexpectedly during my junior year of college. A fundraising project for my Sports Management class led me to a local winery, marking the beginning of my wine journey. At the time, living in a fraternity house dominated by mass-produced beers like "Natty Light," "Milwaukee's Beast," and King Cobra provided little opportunity for wine education. To remedy this, I frequented the local Longs Drugs, purchasing monthly issues of Wine Spectator. I diligently read, purchased, and tasted wines based on their scores. The "Meritage" style was prevalent then, and several wines from that era, including the Conn Creek Anthology, became personal favorites.
During my visit to Napa Valley for Premier Napa Valley 2025, I had the pleasure of tasting the 1999 Conn Creek Anthology. Encountering this vintage again felt like reconnecting with an old friend after two decades. While I did not record formal tasting notes that afternoon, I was thoroughly impressed by the wine's remarkable preservation and potential for further development.
Fortuitously, the winery possessed a small quantity of Anthology library stock. We secured 120 bottles each of the 1996 and 1999 vintages. To ensure quality and provide accurate tasting notes for our clientele, I opened one bottle from each vintage.
Both the 1996 and 1999 vintages are available in six-bottle cases: the 1996 in original wooden cases (OWC) and the 1999 in premium cardboard cases.
I'd strongly suggest picking up both vintages. The 1996 is absolutely singing right now, so open that one first. The 1999 is also lovely, but if you have the patience, it could really blossom with a few more years in the cellar. At $39.99 a bottle, these are a steal, and I don't expect them to last long
This marks the inaugural offering under our new "Spectrum Mic-Drop" program, featuring exceptional wines that speak for themselves. Please look for "Spectrum Mic-Drop" in the subject line of future emails. I apologize in advance for any disappointment should these wines sell out before you have a chance to purchase them.
As an added incentive, purchasing six bottles each of the 1996 and 1999 vintages will qualify you for a raffle drawing to win a $100 gift certificate for future purchases.
Tasting Notes:
1996 Conn Creek Anthology – Medium ruby in color, with a slightly watery rim, indicating minimal bricking. The aroma presents a complex bouquet of forest pine needles, cigar box, mint, red fruits, and a subtle hint of cocoa beans. The palate exhibits impeccable balance, with harmonious acidity, fruit, and tannins, complemented by a solid structure and well-defined mid-palate. Predominantly red fruit flavors, including cranberries and tart red cherries, lead to a medium finish.
1999 Conn Creek Anthology – Medium ruby with a darker core, showing no signs of bricking. The aroma reveals a rich blend of black and red fruits, sweet mint, and dark chocolate. On the palate, abundant black cherry and black mocha flavors are supported by firm, well-integrated tannins, substantial weight, and a lingering finish.
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