2011 Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon Annum
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Tasting notes
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Annum is at its sweet spot for drinking, with a balance of red cherry and currant fruit with mature notes of graphite, dried meats, mushroom and cedar. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc from the Oakville, Mt. Veeder and Diamond Mountain appellations, it has a medium weight and integrated tannins, and is just beginning to open to notes of olive and earth on the finish. A challenging vintage, David Ramey aged the 2011 in barrel for 19 months rather than his usual 26. 628 cases were made.
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Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Inky ruby. Vibrant red fruit, tobacco and floral pastille aromas are complemented by deeper-pitched notes of licorice and dark chocolate. Sweet, expansive and lively on the palate, offering juicy redcurrant and cassis flavors and a hint of rose pastille. Shows a bright, spicy quality on the incisive finish, with supple tannins contributing structure. There's 25% cabernet franc in this bottling.
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Annum is quite soft and accessible in this vintage, with less of its trademark richness, but impeccable overall balance. Sweet herbs, dark red cherries, mint and licorice meld together in the glass. In 2011, the Annum includes 25% Cabernet Franc, which gives the wine lovely aromatics. The 2011 finishes with terrific juiciness and resonance. This is a great showing, especially within the context of an extremely challenging vintage.
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Annum is gorgeous in this vintage. The wine's typical super-ripe personality is restrained, but that keeps the aromas and flavors very nicely focused throughout. At the same time, there is plenty of density and richness in the glass. I especially like the way the 2011 fleshes out on the finish.