Wine Reviews: California Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasted Thursday, November 15, 2012 by davidwhitedc with 895 views
Introduction
This week’s wine reviews. All wines were received as press samples and tasted single blind.
Tasted Thursday, November 15, 2012 by davidwhitedc with 895 views
This week’s wine reviews. All wines were received as press samples and tasted single blind.
2006 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon 89 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
A ripe, dark nose of sweet, green-tinged fruits -- black currant, anise, plums, and wild blackberries. In the background, one finds some overripe notes and oak. On the palate, balanced with well-structured tannins, fresh acid, and no noticeable alcohol.
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2009 The Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Allomi 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
A beautiful nose of spicy, brambly raspberries, delicate, fresh blackberries, and vanilla. On the palate, the wine shows great acid and well-integrated, soft tannins. While not very complex, the wine is absolutely delicious.
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2009 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
The nose explodes with big, dark, perfectly ripe blackberries, black currants, plums, and eucalyptus. The fruit and spice is backed by razor-sharp slate. On the palate, the wine is big but balanced, with mouth-coating tannins. The wine is surprisingly lithe for its size.
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2007 Swanson Cabernet Sauvignon Alexis 89 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
The nose opens with extremely dark fruits that are flirting with being overripe. The fruit is backed by a nice floral lift of lavender, rosemary, and potpourri alongside chocolate and spicy oak. On the palate, the wine is thinner than one would expect and would benefit from better structure.
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2009 Stony Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 88 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
While the wine is marred by a hint of volatile acidity, it also displays delicate blueberries and blackberries, lavender, and vanilla. On the palate, everything is in harmony and it's ready for business, although nothing suggests it'll improve with age or gain complexity.
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2008 Amapola Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 94 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
The wine smells deliciously hedonistic -- dark, ripe blackberries, dark chocolate, and dust -- but everything is in check. The oak is present but not obtrusive. Soft, well-structured tannins, nicely structured, great balance. An excellent wine.
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2009 Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 86 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
An uncomplicated, restrained Cabernet that seems blessedly old school. Red fruits, tart black fruits, and a hint of oak.
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2008 The Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder 86 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder
The opening note is oak and burnt sugar, backed by dark raspberries and blackberries. The palate is more pleasing, with a lush, ripe approach. But this is weakened by a quick finish and a lingering taste of oak.
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2009 Gundlach Bundschu Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
A fantastic nose that combines ripe, wild blackberries and black currants with green pepper and grape stems, backed by a hint of vanilla. On the palate, the wine is very well balanced with great acid and tannin and a long finish. The structure and finish suggest this will last for quite some time. Delicious.
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2008 Envolve Cabernet Sauvignon 86 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Chalk Hill
The nose is dominated by heavily toasted oak and alcohol, which obscure the fruit. Some dark fruits emerge on the palate, but the oak and alcohol are over the top.
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2010 Vineyard 29 Cabernet Sauvignon Cru 86 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
A schizophrenic nose that shows both under-ripe and overripe fruits. The fruits come together on the palate, but alcohol emerges at the finish.
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2008 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 94 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
The nose is hugely aromatic -- loaded with gobs of beautiful, rich, ripe black fruits, bright black cherries, eucalyptus, and lavender. On the palate, the wine shows great depth and concentration, silky tannins, saliva-inducing acid, and great structure. An excellent wine.
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2009 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga 85 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga
A simple, straightforward Cabernet Sauvignon.
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2010 Justin Vineyards & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
A beautiful nose of perfectly ripe fruits. On the palate, the wine shows great depth and structure, with silky tannins and juicy acidity. A beautiful wine.
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2008 Ladera Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
The nose is incredibly seductive and just pulls you in to the glass. On the palate, super lush, the wine is lush and ripe with silky tannins and great, juicy acidity. Delicious.
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2009 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
Ripe, brambly blackberries and dark raspberries, rich black loam, and beautiful oak. The palate matches, combining silky tannins with a lush fruits and acid. The wine shows a hint of alcohol at the finish, but it isn't obtrusive. Needs time and should develop nicely.
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2010 Cornerstone Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Stepping Stone 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
A beautiful nose of fresh raspberries and blackberries, backed by chocolate and dried herbs. Uncomplicated, but extremely enjoyable.
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2009 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry 94 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
Delicate, dark blackberries and raspberries showing just a slight confectionary quality. The nose is extremely perfumed, showing delicate potpourri, tobacco, and vanilla. On the palate, the wine begs for time -- with huge, huge tannins and an endless finish.
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2009 Mossback Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Chalk Hill
Ripe blueberries and blackberries, slate, and a hint of spicy oak. While there isn't a ton of structure, it's a very pleasant, approachable wine that's open for business.
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