Cabernet deserves more than one day

After attending the Wine Bloggers Conference in Portland during August 17-21, I was rather “wined” out. But that didn’t last long. This past week, I started jonesing for something full-bodied and rich—it also happened to be #CabernetDay this past Thursday.

In the month of August, I tasted quite a few Cabernet Sauvignons that I didn’t get the chance to blog about. Here’s a re-cap of the highlights…

2010 Nadia Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Barbara, $35/bottle): blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. The palate expresses sweet blackberry jam and vanilla with hints of clove and tobacco. Solid tannin and structure, though young and tightly coiled. Aged 20 months in 100% new French oak. For the price, this wine is made extremely well. It shows great potential and it will most likely improve within 6 months to 1 year or more. This bottle was received as a sample courtesy of Laetitia Vineyards for review purposes.

2008 Ehler’s Estate One-Twenty over Eighty (Napa Valley, $45/bottle): smells like boysenberry jam with a hint of white pepper and tar. On the palate, this Cabernet Sauvignon delivers jammy, mouth-filling flavors of blackberry pie, toast, dusty cocoa, and vanilla. The wine finished with notes of lavender and tobacco. It was probably one of my favorite wines this last month; I wish I had another bottle to drink tonight!

2007 Hartwell Misté Hill Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, $49/bottle): black currant, tar, black licorice, and roasted coffee. Velvety mouthfeel. I was told on a recent visit to the Hartwell Estate that this wine is designed to be enjoyed within 1-2 years of release. This particular vintage is starting to lose its freshness and the fruit flavors are fading, but it’s still drinkable. The 2008 vintage is drinking beautifully (as I’m sure th current vintage [2009] is as well!).

2007 Crocker & Starr Cabernet Franc (Napa Valley, $63/bottle): a delicious organically grown wine with cherry cola, exotic spice, mocha, and the faintest whisper of blueberry pie. Very aromatic and concentrated in the glass. Ready to drink. 

2008 Tamber Bey Deux Cheveux Vineyard Yountville “Rabicano” (Napa Valley, $48/bottle): Bordeaux-style blend with flavors of cherry cola, blueberry, pomegranate and clove. Very dark in the glass with rich and refined tannins. This wine could definitely hold for another 1-2 years.

2003 Divot Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, price N/A): this wine showed it’s age in the glass; it was transparent with a brown rim. I was surprised that it smelled of sweet berries. Unfortunately, one sip convinced me that this wine was past its prime. The aromatics were misleading; the palate was a savory mix of dried herbs, earth, and mushroom.

2007 Ladera Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($41/bottle). In case you missed it, please read Tuesday’s blog post for a full review of this amazing wine.

On a sidenote, if you happen to be in the Tiburon neighborhood in Marin on a Sunday or Monday, please come visit me at Prima Palate (soon tobe Main Street Wine Bar). I have also been hired to manage the wine bar’s social media marketing efforts [yes, that is a shameless self-plug for my freelance/consulting business]. Thank you reading Sip Swirl Savor and cheers!