2007 Napa Cabs $20 to $40ish

Last night we met to try some of the "value plays" in the 2007 Napa Cab vintage. All wines were consumed blind over 2.5 hours. It can be difficult to compare wines when they are all so similar. All the wines were purple with some ruby in color, so I left that off my notes. They did differentiate a bit more on the palate. I think in general, all would have benefited from an hour in a decanter. I was hoping to see at least a couple of these cross that outstanding threshold. None did. There were some nice cabs and I suppose $20 is a value in Napa Cabs. Still, I think there is better value to be found elsewhere. That said, I would be glad to drink many of these. I think the only one that will be in my cellar is the Louis Martini as it has a nice combination of age-ability and price.

Bread, crackers, and cheese were served. So was some chocolate which went very well.

• 2006 St. Supéry Virtú Meritage 82 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Others liked this more than I. We all thought it was Chardonnay or at least a Chard blend. There is no Chard in the blend (52% Sauvignon Blanc and 48% Semillon). And a ton of oak. The nose was smoke and Butter Rum Lifesavers. No fruit. On the palate, it reminded me of a McDonald's Vanilla Shake. I will say the texture was nice, quite velvety. Long finish. Certainly a solid wine, if you like that style. Perhaps it was just too old and most of the fruit had faded.

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• 2007 Treasure Hunter Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 83 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  A poor showing for the Treasure Hunter wines on this night. The Groups two last place wines. The nose has some chocolate and not much else. Very soft with light tannins. Slightly sweet, must be some residual sugar. Some cassis and a menthol like note on the finish. Innocuous and slightly sweet, this could easily be yellow tail.

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• 2007 Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I liked this much more than the group. That is because I don't mind some green bell pepper. Others found it more herbal (rosemary was tossed out). The nose was tight and it needed air to show much. Nice texture. Somewhat port-like but dry; black raspberries and some heat. There is a strong component of bell pepper which I was surprised to see considering the vintage. There is some warmth on the finish.

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• 2007 Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 83 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Took some time to open. The nose has cassis and alcohol. Somewhat jammy. Sweet on the palate and with a harsh component. The fruit seems a bit cooked. Lots of tannins. Slightly bitter on the finish. It was interesting, but left me thinking it could have been better.

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• 2007 Honig Cabernet Sauvignon 86 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Chocolate and cassis on the nose. This was, unfortunately, served too cold. Seems to have some potential but it is very tight. Some cassis fruit. Also a fair amount of oak. One taster noted coconut (which I did not notice), but the vanilla was pervasive. Still, three had this as their favorite. With some air and warmth, perhaps it shows a couple of points better.

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• 2007 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Not as good as a bottle that I decanted for a few hours a couple of weeks ago. The nose is interesting with cassis and oak, mostly fresh cut lumber. On the palate, this is youthful but seems like it will develop. That said, it was drinking enjoyably with an hour of air. The finish was smooth, if slightly clipped. This will be a crowd pleaser.

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• 2007 Treasure Hunter Wines Abels's Folly Spring Mountain District 81 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

  The groups overwhelming last place wine. A poor showing for both Treasure Hunter wines. The nose was actually kind of nice with cassis and coffee notes. On the palate, this was slippery in texture, disjointed, tannic and herbal. There was this core of generic Cabernet that made it drinkable if you were at a party and the options were limited. Another in a line of "shh, this is really declassified juice from _____". Maybe so, but there is a reason it was declassified. At $5, it might be worth it although I find Charles Shaw equally as good. I suspect it is closer to $15 or more.

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• 2007 Darioush Cabernet Sauvignon Caravan 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This was good and the crowd's WOTN. At $43 Ohio, though its hard to take this over the Buehler or Martini for half the cost. Still, it was good. The nose started tight, but eventually showed cassis, strawberries and some complexity. Also some oak. On the palate, this was the biggest wine on the table. Complex but still tight. Cassis flavors. Very young and the most primary wine. its biggest difference may be that this will last longer than the other wines tasted.

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• 2007 Buehler Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I have had this wine before and really thought it presents great value. It has a plastic cork. If it had a screw top or real cork, I would be buying a couple of cases to drink over the next 5 to 8 years. As it is, I wouldn't buy more than I would drink by the end of the year. Cassis and dark chocolate on the nose. Silky texture. Cassis and leather on the palate. A bit of a port-like quality. Some warmth on the finish. Good party wine that air would help.

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• 2007 Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 85 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Tight nose. With air, plenty of fresh cut lumber, vanilla and cassis. Soft texture. Sweet fruit (some RS?). Slightly light bodied. Mild tannins. I was told this was $26 Ohio. Way over priced. Not a bad wine but should be closer to $10.

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