2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
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Tasting notes
The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is fully resolved in its structural build, and the fruit has begun to give way to floral tones and worn leather nuances. It’s in a beautiful spot for drinking today. The 2009 is a gentle, elegant wine that deftly reflects the precision of the house style. Wet soil, tobacco leaf and rose stem notes echo through the soft finish. Very pretty. Drink over the next few years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Moderately saturated dark red. Some exotic nutty oak tones to the aromas of black- and redcurrant, cherry, bitter chocolate, tobacco leaf and menthol. A suave, slightly herbal midweight with good clarity and inner-mouth lift and a whiff of exotic flowers. But I wanted a bit more intensity and length. Finishes with dusty tannins and a repeating herbal note. (13.9% alcohol)
Transparent crimson. Extremely opulent, nuanced nose. Very sweet oak and obviously good quality fruit. Just not quite fresh enough for my taste. Love the nose but the palate seems a bit sweet and sour. (JR)
84% Cabernet, 8% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot. The lots were blended early 2010 and moved to 100% new US oak, where it spent 24 months. Smoky cassis with a note of menthol. Prunes too. Almost sickly sweet. Velvety texture very noticeable. On the palate, lots of US oak sweetness relieved by the high acid, though they are not really integrated now. Apparently, older vintages of Silver Oak still smell strongly of US oak, unlike old Ridge Montebello, and this was certainly true of the only older vintage I tried, 2003. (Ridge buy mostly 200-litre barrels made from oak that has been air dried for 2-3 years and this makes a huge difference.) Impressive in its concentration but for me too sweet overall, especially with food. (JH)