2009 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
Bright, dark red. A slight medicinal cast to the aromas of blackcurrant, licorice, wild sage and dark chocolate. Briary blueberry and blackcurrant fruit and torrefaction flavors are complicated by licorice and menthol and lifted by a repeating note of wild herbs. At once thick and juicy, this chewy, mountain-style Cabernet finishes with a hint of warmth and some acidity yet to be absorbed. I suspect this wine is passing through an awkward stage, so I'd hold it for another couple of years before pulling the cork. (14.8% alcohol)
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The deep garnet-purple colored 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate opens with explosive preserved plums, blueberry compote and Black Forest cake with Chinese five spice, chocolate box and licorice hints. The palate is big, rich, full, fruity and gregarious with tons of exotic spices, blue and black fruit flavors and a velvety texture, finishing long and lively.
Good full ruby-red. Complex aromas of crushed blueberry, wild resiny herbs ("western chaparral," says Wesley Steffens), cedar, tobacco, mint and leather. At once chewy and delicate in the mid-palate, with strong spicy lift to the redcurrant and tobacco leaf flavors. Youthfully unevolved, but the building tannins are nicely detailed and supported by the wine's intensity. Seems more refined than past vintages of this wine; this may well merit a higher score with five to seven years of cellaring.
The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate comes across as sweet, voluptuous and sexy. It possesses striking inner perfume and fabulous expressiveness in its dark red fruit. Supple, silky tannins frame the exceptionally elegant finish. The 2009 is an immensely appealing, dazzling wine.