2011 David Arthur Elevation Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
Tasted from magnum, the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Elevation 1147 is a deep, bold, savory wine, very much in the mid-weight style typical of David Arthur. Crushed red berry fruit, menthol, pine and spice linger in this understated, super-classy Cabernet. The large format helps, but the 2011 has unquestionably aged gracefully.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(all clone 8 cabernet sauvignon on a low-vigor, well-drained site, replanted in 2001): Good ruby-red. Deep aromas of blackberry, blueberry, iron-like minerality and tropical dark chocolate. There's a Pauillac-like quality to the sweet, vibrant cassis and mineral flavors, and excellent volume for the year. The serious tannins spread out to saturate the palate on the back end.
A fruity wine with mineral and blackberry character. A little full-blown for the vintage. Full body with velvety tannins and a juicy finish. For big-cab lovers. A little too much for the vintage. Drink now.
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Elevation 1147 is fairly similar to the Old Vine in its power, depth and richness, but it is much less expressive today. Tobacco, licorice, new leather, cloves, mint and black/purple fruit meld together in a resonant Cabernet Sauvignon back up by considerable structure. Ideally, the 2011 is best left alone for another few years, which should allow the tannins to soften.