2009 Seavey Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
Bright, full ruby. Aromas of blackberry, cassis, licorice pastille and tropical dark chocolate are lifted by a violet topnote. Dense, fresh and fine-grained if still a bit youthfully stunted; even more primary than the bottle that was part of my vertical tasting at the winery last year. Very black fruit in character, but leavened by an inviting candied note and complicated by hints of tobacco and earth. The rising finish features well-buffered tannins and lingering soil notes. A superb bottle--and still short of its peak.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(14.8% alcohol; includes 5% Petit Verdot): Bright ruby. Complex aromas of kirsch , plum, mocha and brown spices. Plush, ripe and deep if not yet particularly expressive, with its plum and mocha flavors complicated by an intriguing cooler element of dusty herbs. Finishes broad and dry, with substantial ripe tannins. This is nowhere near its peak. Winemaker Jim Duane described 2009 as "the first of a triad of cool years."
Seavey's 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate explodes from the glass with deep, resonant fruit. Incense, smoke, tobacco and melted road tar flow effortlessly from this big, full-bodied wine. There is no shortage of fruit or tannin in this large-scaled, firm Cabernet Sauvignon. Readers will need to be patient, but there is little denying the 2009 is a jewel of a wine. The 2009 is shaping up to be another magnificent wine from Seavey and oenologist Philippe Melka.