September 16, 2018
The Greatest Cabernet Sauvignons!
1. 2014 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley Sonoma County California - $41
The bigger, richer 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petite Sirah aged 16 months in 50% new French and American casks. This is a bigger wine and close to 2% higher in alcohol at 15.5%. There are 11k cases of this big, full-bodied, boisterous Cabernet Sauvignon that has a dense ruby/purple color, notes of underbrush, forest floor, tobacco leaf and oodles of blackcurrants and black cherries, with a touch of woodsmoke. The full-bodied wine hits the palate with a cascade of glycerin, fruit and purity. This is a beauty – dense, rich, and structured, but capable of lasting 20 or more years. Rated 97 The Wine Advocate
2. 2013 Revana Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Terroir Series California - $100+
Elegantly styled, rich and creamy, with a pure mix of dark berry, licorice, cedary oak, mocha and dried herb. A mix of grace, finesse and density, ending with a dash of espresso. Rated 94 Wine Spectator Magazine
3. 2013 Tulocay Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Coombsville California - $50
More restrained and Bordeaux-like than our 2013 with years to go before maturity. Wonderful, slightly herbal tones in the nose and flavors. For lovers of the wines of Saint-Estèphe and Bolgheri. Winery
4. 2012 Baron Philippe de Rothschild Vina Concha y Toro "Almaviva" Maipo Valley Chile - $115
A young red that shows dark and intense fruits overflowing from the glass with aromas that diffuses into spices, nuts and iron. Also dusty like the vineyards of Puente Alto on a hot summer's afternoon. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a gorgeous wet clay, currant and blackberry aftertaste. Very refined and pretty texture. Bordeaux blend. Rated 96 James Suckling
5. 2006 Sbragia Cabernet Sauvignon Cimarossa Vineyard Howell Mountain Napa Valley California - $75
Ed Sbragia is making some of the most interesting single-vineyard Cabernets in California. This one, from Howell Mountain, shows the density and power that typify all his wines. Although it's thoroughly dry, it tastes almost sweet in grilled blackberry marmalade flavors, balanced with good acidity and wonderfully fine tannins. Feels like it has the capacity to age for decades. Rated 95 Wine Enthusiast Magazine
6. 2007 Sbragia Cabernet Sauvignon Rancho del Oso Howell Mountain Napa Valley California - $75
From Howell Mountain, the dense purple-colored 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Rancho del Oso (an 1,800 foot elevation vineyard) is composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Sweet blackberry, black cherry, plum, anise and crushed rock aromas jump from the glass of this opaque purple-colored wine. Broad and full-bodied on the palate with hints of white chocolate and subtle oak/toast, it reveals terrific fruit, texture and opulence. Drink it over the next 20-25 years. Rated 94 The Wine Advocate
7. 2013 Domaine Eden Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Cruz Mountains California - $40
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 2% Malbec, 1.5% Cabernet Franc, 1.5% Petit Verdot
Generous cedar, smoke and black fruit aromas. This translates effortlessly onto the palate with lots of youthful fruit, giving off a wonderful air of elegance with its impeccably long finish. Rated 98 Decanter Magazine
8. 2004 Sbragia Cabernet Sauvignon Andolsen Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Sonoma County - $35
Few Cabs smell more inviting, with come-hither scents of wild blackberries, freshly brewed coffee, raspberry pie and toasted vanilla cream. The wine lives up to its advance, turning voluptuous in all those flavors. It's too soft for aging, though, so drink now. Rated 90 Wine Enthusiast