VIP- The Cellar

As I indicated last year, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a brilliant effort. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, it has begun to shut down slightly, but reveals an opaque purple color along with deep, sweet, cedary, black currant aromas intermixed with hints of tobacco leaf, licorice and graphite. Full-bodied, powerful and rich, this impressive 2007 needs 4-5 years of cellaring and should keep for 25+ years.

Janzen Napa- 92 pts RP

An excellent value in high-class Napa Cabernet Sauvignon is the 2007. It’s hard to find Napa Cabernets of this quality for under $100, much less under $50. This beauty exhibits an opaque purple color and sweet black currant notes as well as loamy soil, cedar, and spice. It is full-bodied, exuberant, opulent and delicious already. It should continue to drink well for at least 10-12 years where well-stored.

Silver Oak Alexander Valley- NR

Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a profound, fruit-driven wine from a great California vintage. It has a dark ruby color with a purple edge and an inviting nose of ripe black plum, blackberry, baking spices and soy sauce. On the palate, the wine is rich and full, reminiscent of the flavors of a berry cobbler. It has a long, fruity finish with fine grained tannins, and is a testament to exquisite ripeness at moderate alcohol. With proper cellaring, this wine should give drinking pleasure through 2031.

Freemark Abbey- 93 pts WE, 92 pts W&S

Shows all the hallmarks of an ageable wine. It’s bone dry, big and hard in tannins, and densely packed with blackberries, cherries, cola, licorice and smoky cedar notes. Nowhere near ready. Better after 2015.

This starts off as black satin, mostly tannin and dark fruit, before air brings up more distinct black cherry and earth in the middle of the wine. The plush texture doesn’t get in the way of the firm structue, allowing the wine to build complexity as it develops in the glass. Cellar it for a few years or decant a bottle for roast leg of lamb.

Simi Alexander Valley- NR

A dry, lovely Cabernet for drinking now. Shows the soft tannins and herbaceousness of Alexander Valley reds, with cherry, berry. Blackcurrant and oak flavors. Extra points for the smooth, spicy finish.

Niner Estates Bootjack Ranch- NR

No syndicated reviews. We had this one when the brand was new to our state. And we fell in love with the entire line, especially the Cabernet. There is a lot of appeal here, from its alluring dark character through its ability to ramp up the fruit through the palate. Often it is difficult to pick out singular flavors in a great wine due to its layers of complexity, but I like to consider this “complexity-lite.” The grapes come from a few vineyards very close to one another in Paso Robles, one of the best regions to grow in California right now. Put it this way; if this wine had the word “Napa” on it, it would taste inferior and be twice the price. The hot climate really lends a hand in the ripeness of this bottle.

Pine Ridge Napa- 89 pts RP

A dense ruby hue hints at the extracting of this young, intense wine. Rich aromas of black cherry, blueberry and blackberry syrup are followed by hints of toasted pecan, cocoa and crème de cassis. The palate is well-structured with firm tannins enveloped by flavors of dark berry and cherry fruit, cigar box, milk chocolate and cinnamon spice. Decant for 30 minutes to allow this youthful wine, comprised of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, to open up and show at its best.

This wine is a flavor bomb so pair it with the similarily concentrated flavors of wild game and classic sauces, long-simmered boeuf bourguignon and roasted leg of lamb. Age will certainly tame the exuberance of this wine but will make up for it with added complexity. In five to eight years, pour it alongside simply prepared meats and aged cheeses.