Cab is King; a look back at this weeks tastings

This weeks tasting lineup was peppered with a bonanza of beautiful Cabernets. Although we taste across the spectrum when it comes to types, styles, and varietal of wines, Cab is truly King in this weeks tastings.

2009 Meander Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley – $75/b

Wine Spectrum 95: This bottling shows off its pedigree with style and substance. Mouth coating flavors of black plum and cassis with an intense burst of espresso bean and licorice, it has a dense core of sweet fruit with a fleshy finish. Morisoli Vineyards produces one of those rare Cabernets that will continue to evolve for the next decade. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 350 cases produced.

2010 Aiken Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley – $125/b

Wine Spectrum 95: This is my second vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Morisoli Vineyard on the Rutherford Bench.  I have spent my entire career focused on creating Cabernet at the very highest level from this hallowed region.  For years I have felt that these Cabernets are complete wines that need no other varietals blended in to fill in voids in aroma, flavor or body.  The gravelly bench land soil of the Morisoli Vineyard produces wines stylistically between those of the valley floor and those from hillside vineyards.  This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is classic Rutherford showing black cherry, black olive and firm yet refined tannins that will allow the wine to age and improve for decades.

2012 Le Pich Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley – $47/b

Wine Spectrum 95: The 2012 Le Pich Cabernet is a deep, rich garnet color. A nose of black fruits, cedar and violets develop into a mouthfeel that is supple and ripe, with smooth tannins. Robust flavors of black plum, black cherry, and graphite lead to a long, balanced finish. A serious wine, and a great value.

2010 Rarecat ‘Old Toll Road’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley – $99/b

Wine Spectrum 95: A beautiful, elegant vintage, this big hillside cabernet sauvignon has deep inky black color, soft yet powerful tannins, with classic Old Toll characters of blackberries, mint, leather and wet stone. 89% cabernet sauvignon (6 clones) blended with 11% cabernet franc and petit verdot. 2010 was a low yield vintage, only 176 cases plus magnums of RARECAT Old Toll cabernet were produced.

A sexy, open-knit, round, generous red wine from the Old Toll hillside vineyard in Calistoga, the 2010 cabernet sauvignon offers lots of black currant and black cherry fruit intermixed with a notion of new saddle leather. This rich, full throttle Cabernet possesses some dusty tannins, but they are more than adequately compensated for by the wine’s extravagant fruit. Wine Advocate, #209.

2010 William Cole ‘Cuvee Claire’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley – $175/b

Wine Spectrum 95: Cultivated primarily form our estate vines, this 100% cabernet sauvignon is the cornerstone of our portfolio. Named after our daughter, the Cuvee Claire is allowed to work its magic slowly, which results in a complex, elegant wine that represents the best of Napa Valley.

Layered with complexity, the Cuvée Claire entices with light floral notes and sweet oak on the nose, which leads into bright red cherries. Sip after sip the wine fills your mouth with lush ripe blackberries and blueberries, revealing hints of cocoa, spice and a touch of vanilla. The palate is seamless from start to finish, leaving silky tannins and an impossibly long finish. Beautifully structured, the Cuvée Claire can be enjoyed today or be cellared for many years to come.