2006 Vineyard 29 Cabernet Sauvignon CRU

The gorgeous 2006 Cru Proprietary Red Wine is a 2,700-case blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Revealing sweet tannin along with a beautiful bouquet of berry fruit, tobacco leaf, cedar, earth, and burning embers, this medium to full-bodied effort possesses supple tannins as well as a lush, heady finish. It should drink beautifully for 10-12 years. Restaurants should offer this as a high priority Cabernet Sauvignon given its pricing. Proprietor Chuck McMinn and his winemaker, Philippe Melka, continue to fashion one of Napa’s finest negociant blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, offering it at a reasonable price for a high end Napa Cabernet. The Aida Vineyard, situated between St. Helena and Calistoga, was a source of superb Zinfandel when the fruit was purchased by Larry Turley for Turley Wine Cellars. At Vineyard 29, they have continued to blend it with Petite Sirah, and age it in French oak. The most limited offering in this portfolio is the Sauvignon Blanc (100 or so cases produced). This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is aged for an unusually long time (16 months) in 100% new French oak. However, the oak is never noticeable in these cuvees as they are meant to replicate a fine white Bordeaux capable of aging. A wine I reviewed last year, the 2005, is still drinking fabulously well. Tel. (707) 963-9292; Fax (707) 963-7848