2017 Gorman Winery Cabernet Sauvignon the Albatross Reserve
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Tasting notes
With a bold and perfumed nose, the 2017 The Albatross offers seductive notes of luscious red and black fruits macerating with cinnamon and vanilla followed by a chocolaty essence with floral nuances. Full-bodied and generous, with 15.2% alcohol on the label, the palate offers gobs of sweet fruit and delicious oak, with velvety, fine-grained tannins on the mid-palate. The wine lingers on the persistent finish with notes of potpourri, bitter dark chocolate and crème de cassis. Only 1,500 bottles were made after the wine rested in 100% new Taransaud French oak.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Bright full ruby. Inky aromas of cassis, blackberry, licorice pastille, tobacco leaf and herbs. Dense, deep, inky wine with obviously high alcohol and chocolatey sweetness to its dark berry, licorice and herb flavors. A bit chunky and monolithic; undeniably rich but showing little in the way of restraint. Finishes with firm tannins and very good length, with extended aeration bringing more obvious alcoholic warmth and oakiness. This may be a bit too Napa-like for fans of Washington Cabernet. (15.2% alcohol; aged 21 months in 100% new French oak)
All Cabernet Sauvignon aged in new barrels, the deep purple/plum hued 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon The Albatross is terrific stuff that has upfront blue and black fruits, candied violets, orange blossom, and lead pencil notes. These all carry to a medium to full-bodied, seamless, beautifully balanced Cabernet that has plenty of power and richness while still holding on to a sense of elegance. Drink it over the coming 10-15 years.