2009 D.R. Stephens Cabernet Sauvignon Walther River Block
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Tasting notes
(from a warm, gravelly site on the east side of Rutherford): Good deep ruby-red. Pungent aromas of brambly blackberry, blueberry, loam and rocks. Dense and sweet, with terrific black fruit intensity. The lovely vibrant, rising finish features a boatload of tannins and excellent breadth. An impressive showing.
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Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Bright full ruby. Nose dominated by lead pencil, violet and bitter chocolate. Densely packed and sweet, with good energy to the black fruit flavors. Broad, building tannins appear to be supported by the wine's ripe fruit. Nicely long on the aftertaste. (Incidentally, my sample of the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Moose Valley Vineyard was impressively sweet and lush but showed a slightly tired, roasted quality on the nose and finishes with some caramel oak. I will reserve judgment on this wine until I can taste it in its finished form.)