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Cardinale 1997

Cardinale Red 1997

Cardinale’s Proprietary Red Wine is less evolved than some of the other 1997 Napa Cabs tasted in this particular lineup—a palate-saturating blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot is showing extraordinary range of savory tertiary notes—black olive, sun dried tomato, sweet tobacco and an umami-like soy quality, all of which glides over plum compote […]

Robert Mondavi To Kalon Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Robert Mondavi To Kalon Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Another heavy hitter from a lineup spanning four decades of Napa Cabs. The 2013 Robert Mondavi To Kalon Vineyard Reserve Cabernet is still quite primary. It’s opaque, with a bold magenta rim. Structurally, opulent—the core furnished with juicy black fruit, ripe, glossy tannins and a hint of how it will evolve—a palate pleasing melange of […]

Inglenook Niebaum-Coppola Rubicon Estate 1997

Niebaum Coppola Rubicon 1997

Classic Rutherford dust twining a startling degree of freshness. At 20 years on, the Niebaum Coppola Rubicon 1997 is opaque and ruby-robed, with a watery rim. 1997 was a watershed year in Napa, marking a shift toward extended hang times and higher alcohols, here it’s at 14.1% and generously fruited with mulberries, black currants, anise […]

Beaulieu Vineyard Georges De Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1975

Beaulieu Vineyard (BV) Georges De Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1975

Tasted in a lineup of Napa Cabs spanning four decades, and led by wine icon Kevin Zraly, the BV Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1975 is quite evolved at this stage. We were lucky enough to sample a wine direct from the winery’s own library, where storage conditions have been perfect. It’s brickish and translucent save […]

Beringer Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1986

Beringer Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1986

Beringer’s 1986 Mature, Beringer’s Napa Valley presented plum sauce, beef jerky, and leather followed by more ethereal notes of spearmint, sarsaparilla and dried flowers. With a mantle that is decidedly garnet, it is still round and generously fruited with fine, well defined mid-and-fore palate tannins effortlessly twining flavors of black currants, black tea, and cracked […]

Opus One 2006

Opus One 2006

Sampled at the 2017 Wine Writers Symposium, while a dinner with the charming Karen MacNeil seated directly across from me, and legends Bill Harlan and Andrea Robinson at the table behind me. The Opus One 2006 sang—one long, melodic, satiny chord drenched in wild blueberries, steeped blackberries, and black raspberry. It unfurls slowly, releasing a […]

Frog’s Leap Heritage Blend 2013

Frog's Leap Heritage Blend 2013

This bottle was gifted to me on arrival at Meadowood Resort in Napa, a nice way to kickoff the 2017 Wine Writers Symposium. My first time tasting Frog’s Leap, it’s young and primary. Juicy blackberries, blackcurrants, kirsch, and camphor tumble from the glass. It’s very structured with chalky, grippy tannins neatly encasing a tooth-staining core […]

Cave Dog Napa Valley 2014

Cave Dog Napa Valley 2014

It was only a matter of time before our paths crossed. In truth, I’ve been intensely curious about Michael Havens’ wines for years, but my curiosity has been changed by the Havens Winery in 2008. Now he’s got a new project is delicious. Cave Dog is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, […]

Louis M. Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Louis M. Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

I was skeptical of Louis Martini, after all, it’s a mass-distributed brand owned by Gallo. That said, Gallo has the capital to work with some of the best vineyard sites in the valley, while still producing a seriously good Napa Cab for less than $40.00 On the nose, the 2013 shows heady Crème de cassis, […]

Cornerstone Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Michael’s Cuvée 2012

Cornerstone Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Michael's Cuvée 2012

Black currant, smoky blueberries, cassis, and mint. Cornerstone Cellars 2012 Michael’s Cuvée doesn’t disappoint. It’s opulent, with palate-drenching blackberries and blueberries, lovely purity of fruit with seductively sueded tannins. A blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot, this cuvée was assembled from the historic Oakville Station Vineyard (read that as To Kalon) 57%, 28% […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com