Community Tasting Note

S-F wrote:

Saturday, May 8, 2021 - I was very excited about this wine as it came recommended and was a promise of something new. I know winemaker Ketan Mody has been developing his new Napa vineyard up on Diamond Mountain for a decade and it's on paper showing tremendous potential (can't wait to try the wines from there when they become avail). And it seems he wants to make Cabs in a more modern Napa style, which also got me excited. This wine was however not from that vineyard (as it's not ready yet), but from the Vare Vineyard.

Labeling and design is really cool and fresh. Perhaps my expectations had gotten out of hand, but at $120-180/bottle and the promise of a modern Napa, it's understandable. Now, I should say this is a good wine, make no mistake. Solid all the way. It's alcohol level is on point at 13.5% and hinting at the path they want to take. But after a pretty nose, unfortunately I don't taste much of that "new Napa" that had kind of got me so interested - this feels like a traditional Napa cab that has had the volume turned down about 30%. There's oak, slightly obscured fruit and all the classic markers, it's just less in your face. I feel bad dissing that, because that's commendable and a good thing, I had just expected something radically different, I suppose. Problem lies with me.

If you like Napa cabs but want less of a heavy approach, this might just be the right one for you. If you're looking for a completely new take on Cab, this isn't it.

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