Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  3/25/2010 (link)

  (WILD SKY Zero One Cabernet) Wild Sky Dear Friends, At some point, the wine enthusiast becomes desensitized to the next unknown $50-100+ domestic Cabernet - I received offers for three more this morning. The reality is that most of them are mere dressing to the Wild Sky's elegant sense of bravado ("elegant" and "bravado" may seem like an oxymoron, but you haven't tasted the wine yet). Maybe I'm in the minority, but I can't help believe this price is a lot more appealing for high-end Cabernet than $100 and that goes for the collector or neophyte alike. With that... Napa Valley wasn't the only success story in 2007 - say hello to Walla Walla. Without beating around the bush, the Wild Sky is a hot commodity. It is one of the very best price/value Cabernet's on the market (while it's labeled as "Cabernet Sauvignon" I believe a small amount of Merlot also makes an appearance). Already one of the more sizzling boutique entrants in the Northwest, additional fuel was added to the fire yesterday by Harvey Steiman - not a good thing for the already meager amount available to the US market. If elegance and a lighter hand are indeed making a comeback (which they are), The Wild Sky is a domestic showcase for femininity set within a framework of dense and gorgeous fruit - fruit that inspires one to dream, not to nod off in a stupor. From a New World nobility standpoint (not to mention a thinking man or woman's point of view), this wine will run circles around most in its class - especially the reigning Wine Spectator Wine of the Year. Not your average domestic wine, the Wild Sky gives one the sense of light passing through a prism, to emerge on the other side as a rainbow of energized electric colors. It is a decided turn toward a new style - an important new style that has a chance to influence those in California and maybe even in Bordeaux. If you enjoy the thought of a northern expression mixed with something like 1995 Robert Craig Affinity, this Washington State gem should be on your short list. The problem is that it's on everyone else's short list as well and only 800-1000 cases were produced. That's fine if the wine is $500, but at far less? Niki better have her patience in full tilt today. Enough said: EXTREMELY LIMITED 2007 Zero One (01) "The Wild Sky" Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley (be careful - if you see listings around $25, make sure they actually have the wine...compare at $28-30+) - please be patient with final allocations. Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA WA8920