This last Monday, I attended the annual Oakville Growers Tasting held at Robert Mondavi Winery. Over the years this tasting has become one of the most talked about venues for tasting because of the presence of wines such as Screaming Eagle, Harlan and Bond. Tasting these wines becomes a rite of passage if you have ever had the chance since they are highly allocated mailing list only wines. When reality sets back, I start working my way around the room to try other new producers and familiar brands with new releases to taste. 2005 vintage seems to be a pretty sturdy one without much smoothness at this point. Patience is recommennded.
The top wine for me out of 27 producers I visited was the
2005 Tierra Roja Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, VF 95 made by David DeSante
This wine was very good last year as well but what I liked about the 2005 was the amount of pure creamy blackberry that I found in the wine. DeSante treats this fruit very gently and is rewarded with exceptionally beautiful wine.
followed by
2005 Ghost Block Cabernet Sauvignon, VF 93
This was literally the first wine I tasted this year as it was a BIG surprise last year. More of the same is in the offing with supple, ripe smoothness to the black currant and cherry flavors.
Other tidbits...
2005 Futo
I have notes from a prior tasting that I did with Tom Futo at the winery I will add here later today. Sadly this wine is not available retail
Russell Bevan is the new winemaker at Showket and he was pouring the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon barrel sample. The wine is beautifully formed now, with ripe currant, licorice and plum. I expect it will put on some weight over the next 24 months but it will be something to look forward to.
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