2011 Gandona Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
(100% cabernet sauvignon, from fruit harvested between October 28 and November 3; 63% new oak): Good red-ruby. Intriguing scents of currant, cherry, mocha, pepper, brown spices and garrigue. Peppery and penetrating, showing very good verve to the concentrated flavors of cassis, mocha and spices. Lovely vinosity and inner-mouth tension here: I like the balance between savory peppery acidity and sweet fruit. Finishes with ripe, firm tannins and lingering spiciness. This wine is made from the older, steeper blocks on this estate on Pritchard Hill, including one that dates back to 1972. A very impressive 2011.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Grilled herbs, mocha, cloves, menthol, black fruits, licorice and smoke all burst from the glass in the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich, layered and explosive, the 2011 boasts fabulous depth, concentration and richness. The 2011 stands out for its aromatic nuance, intensity and balance. Firm, yet beautifully integrated tannins support the powerful finish. The 2011 is a pure mountain Cabernet Sauvignon full of personality. Ideally the 2011 needs a few more years in bottle to soften the tannins a touch.
Also impressive, the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill (300 cases of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon) offers black raspberry, charcoal and black currant fruit intertwined with notions of licorice and barrique smells. Deep, fleshy and medium-bodied with copious fruit, it is a rich, fruity 2011 that is evolving quickly, so enjoy it over the next 10-14 years. Gandona is the former Bob Long Estate high on Pritchard Hill, and these are impressive offerings from this 17-acre vineyard. www.gandona.com
(14.7% alcohol; from grapes harvested between October 28 and November 3): Good full medium ruby. Cassis, licorice, minerals and menthol aromas are accented by mint, herbs and black olive. Fine-grained and fresh on the palate, with dark berry flavors enlivened by firm minerality; minty without being at all overly herbal. Has less stuffing than the 2010 but more refinement. Finishes with dusty tannins and a suggestion of peppery acidity. Like the 2010, this is in a distinctly Medoc style. This is a new project (Philippe Melka is consulting winemaker for owners Manuel and Cristina Pires), but this cabernet already conveys intriguing site character.