2009 Brand Cabernet Sauvignon

Sue Rathbone and Ed Fitts own Brand Estate, a new winery with 12 acres of vineyards on Pritchard Hill. Not a bad neighborhood, to say the least. Philippe Melka is the winemaker. These two Cabernet Sauvignons are very exciting. Needless to say, it will be interesting to see where the wines go from here. The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is a super-exciting first release. Layers of dark red fruit, mint, spices and licorice are some of the notes that take shape in the glass. Tasting this wine, it is quite clear that the elements aren't yet full formed. Still, the qualities that are showing are pretty spectacular. The 2009 is cool, structured and exceptionally polished. Red berries, mocha, flowers and minerals frame the long finish. This is a decidedly cool, reticent 2009, but there is serious power and depth. The 2009 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French oak barrels, 83% new. This is a dazzling showing from Brand Estate.

The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is a super-exciting first release. Layers of dark red fruit, mint, spices and licorice are some of the notes that take shape in the glass. Tasting this wine, it is quite clear that the elements aren’t yet full formed. Still, the qualities that are showing are pretty spectacular. The 2009 is cool, structured and exceptionally polished. Red berries, mocha, flowers and minerals frame the long finish. This is a decidedly reticent 2009, but there is serious power and depth. The 2009 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French oak barrels, 83% new. This is a dazzling showing from Brand Estate. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. Ed Fitts owns Brand Estate, a new winery with 12 acres of vineyards on Pritchard Hill. Not a bad neighborhood, to say the least. Philippe Melka is the winemaker. These two Cabernet Sauvignons are very exciting. It will be interesting to see where the wines go from here. info@brandnapavalley.com