2008 Napa Cab Retrospective

Fresno
Tasted Friday, April 20, 2018 by Vinophiliac559 with 325 views

Introduction

Gathering with Fresno wine guys for a fun review of 2008 Cabs. 2008 Cali Cabs with 3 non Cali 2008's

Flight 1 - 1st 4 (4 Notes)

All Blind

Flight 2 - 2nd 4 (4 Notes)

All Blind

  • 2008 Abreu Rothwell Hyde 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    93-94 Another surprise bottle that drank well above its price point. I didn't take formal notes on this one but from memory was showing very well and I scored higher than both the other Abreu wines tasted. I believe this was due to the Rothwell being in a good drinking window as the others were pretty tight and closed up.

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  • 2008 Kapcsándy Family Winery Estate Cuvée State Lane Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville

    Subtle nose, some peppers but clearly new world, I believe this was another great cab overshadowed by others in the tasting.

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  • 2008 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    93+ Identified by a few tasters in our group as spottswoode, classic cab character with a crazy long finish. This is another I think will continue to improve with time.

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  • 2008 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    93-94+ Roasted red pepper on the nose, tobacco, easily Identified as Bordeaux and being that there was only 1 Bordeaux it stood out in the line-up. Soft tannins, good acidity, dark fruit, medium body (Which felt almost light next to all the Napa Cabs). I really enjoyed this wine and for me was one of the most approachable now as it really seemed to have good balance. Still fairly primary and I'd guess will continue to improve and evolve for some time to come.

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Flight 3 - 3rd 4 (4 Notes)

All Blind

  • 2008 Kapcsándy Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon (Grand Vin) State Lane Vineyard Flawed

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville

    I think this bottle was likely flawed as I have had this wine before and don't remember it tasting like this. Also based on community notes the bottle we had was way off. Consistently on the bottom of everyone's list. For me had an off note that seemed sour/lactic in nature, almost like spoiled milk. Others had mentioned eucalyptus which I personally didn't get. I scored it a 90 (and that was generous) but likely an off bottle. Hope to taste again soon.

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  • 2008 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    91-92 Sweet dark fruits on the nose, near the bottom of the pack for me, albeit still a very nice CS. Not sure that this would have the saying power of some of the others tasted during this tasting.

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  • 2008 Abreu Madrona Ranch 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    91-92+ pretty closed up, possibly could have used more air or maybe just in an awkward phase.

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  • 2008 Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Único 94 Points

    Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

    94+ Young, huge tannin, noticeably different than many of the other Cali Cabs but didn't scream Spanish to me. Another of the groups top wines for the night. Would love to see this 10 years from now.

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Flight 4 - 4th group (4 Notes)

all blind

  • 2008 Alpha Omega Era 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    93-94 Big ripe fruit with a savory component. At a nice spot and drank well.

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  • 2008 Lindstrom Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

    93-94 Tied for top 3 for most of the group. This was the underdog and pulled through. Dark fruit, licorice note, drinking beautiful now. Probably one of the least costly wines of the night yet scored as one of the highest overall by our group (All tasted blind). Great value here and very approachable right now. Not sure this will gain much with more time but doubt it will be fading anytime soon.

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  • 2008 Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    Tasted blind; one was cork and the other screw cap. Scored cork 92-93 and SC 92. Notes were similar, ripe fruit, spice and a pleasant menthol note/sensation.

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  • 2008 Cade Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Estate 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

    Tasted blind, from cork and screw cap. Scored both 93+. Big tannins, savory spice, coffee, dark fruit.

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Flight 5 - group 5 (2 Notes)

4 wines, 2 not listed Cade & Plumpjack from screw top (See previous flight notes)

  • 2008 Corra Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    92-93 No formal notes on this one. Being the 2nd to last wine in a flight of 20 CS my palate and nose were starting to fatigue quite a bit. Was lucky to bring this one back and tasted on day #2. Day 2 was still showing elegant dark red fruit profile, perfumed nose, but did seem to lose a bit of its luster.

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  • 2008 Abreu Thorevilos 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    92+ Of all the wines tasted I thought this had the most potential for future development. This did not get enough air as most bottles opend ~5-6hrs prior and allowed to breath but no decant. Nose of peppered jerky, very tight, palate was rich and structured. Likely needs more time, if you drink soon I would give it a good decant.

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Flight 6 - Open label (3 Notes)

Champagne before, champagne post unblinding of the cabs, and desert post tasting

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