2015 Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Community Tasting Note
msuwine wrote:
Tuesday, November 28, 2017 - It looks like I'm in the minority on this one, but this wine presents - to me - as too young and too sweet to be truly great. It's a lot of fun, but it's not ready for prime time, at least not yet. I'm a bit surprised, since I adored the 2015 Myriad GIII, but this seems like more of a work in progress at the moment (in my humble opinion).
Dark garnet in color, full in body, pungent nose of blueberry, graphite, and rock candy. Tastes of blueberry pie, red licorice, Hershey’s chocolate, and vanilla (lots of vanilla), with a sweet, almost saccharine finish. 14.9% alcohol. I let this open up over a few hours, but it just couldn't shake the sugary, almost candy-like taste profile.
I love rich modern Cabernet (e.g., Bevan, Carter, Realm), but this just seems a bit jammy and tawdry at the moment. I drank this next to a 2013 Realm Farella, which completely destroyed this wine - the Realm was just as ripe and lush, but it was far more complex and integrated.
Although the 2015's seem to be drinking well early, I think this particular wine would benefit from another year (or two). Obviously Mike Smith knows what he's doing, but I don't think this wine is anywhere near its peak. (Of course, everyone has a line on ripe and sweet fruitiness, and this crossed it for me.) To be clear, the Scarlett has huge potential - and comes at a very agreeable price - I would just counsel against early drinking.
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6 comments have been posted
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Comment posted by #1Winelover:
11/29/2017 3:52:00 AM - You are not alone! I Coravin'ed a glass and didn't think that it was ready -- way too fruity for me so I put the bottle back in my cellar and hopefully, it will evolve over time.
Comment posted by WineForRob:
11/29/2017 11:51:00 AM - I attended a Scarlett wine dinner and that was the general opinion of those there. Including Scarlett's owner. Very fruit forward and in need of time.
Comment posted by msuwine:
11/29/2017 4:10:00 PM - Thanks for the information and feedback, guys. I've been reading about how a lot of the 2015's are drinking well early, but I've had mixed experiences so far - some ready, some not. Thanks again!
Comment posted by Cristal2000:
11/29/2017 4:12:00 PM - This is what makes wine so fun and interesting. Different people with difference opinions. It also sometimes changes from bottle to bottle. I have always found with Mike Smith wines especially, there are times when they come off as just amazing, and others when that sweetness is just too much. The 2013 is still WAY too sweet for me. I do have to say it's interesting to see you found the 2015 Myriad GIII to be so good and this to be sweet, since I found them both to have very similar profiles. Nice note!
Comment posted by msuwine:
11/29/2017 5:04:00 PM - Thanks, Cristal2000. I was surprised, too, that I enjoyed this one so much less than the 2015 Myriad GIII. Although it could be lots of factors (vineyard, oak treatment, my mood, etc.), I also wonder if drinking it alongside the 2013 Realm Farella acted as a bit of an anchor: the Realm was a lot more integrated and settled than the Scarlett, which seemed even riper and younger in comparison. Lots of mysteries, lots of fun...
Comment posted by Cristal2000:
11/29/2017 7:44:00 PM - I definitely think a wine you're drinking next to it can make a big difference. I just poured a 2014 Myriad GIII and it tastes way too fruity for me; but I was drinking a 2009 Jacquelynn To Kalon right before, which no doubt colored my viewpoint and pallet. Clearly when drinking a 2015 Cab from Napa, it will basically always be too early. Fun, but early.