32nd Annual Best of The Best:
California Cabs/Red Blends
QRW Tasting Team
Chuck Wagner of Caymus Vineyards (Wagner Family of Wine).
These 16 resveratrol-rich quaffs are just what the doctor ordered.
✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ Five-Star Wines ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩
Wines of extraordinary character and quality —
in a class by themselves.
2011 Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley), $135. Big, deep, rich, mouth-filling, utterly prepossessing, black fruit and smoky oak flavors—a real blockbuster. BEST OF SHOW
2012 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley), $62. Big, rich, powerful, black fruit and smoky oak flavors; long, resonant finish.
2012 Caymus Vineyards 40th Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, $60. Blackberry, cassis notes, firm texture, medium tannins, softly sweet in Caymus manner, with rich finish.
2011 Caymus Vineyards Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, $150. Blackberry, cassis, soft, hint of sweetness, richly textured, velvety finish. Exceptional.
2011 Corley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, $85. Deeply dark color, rich blackberry aromas, soft spice, richly textured, and long, rich finish.
2011 HALL “Diamond Mountain District” Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley), $135. Big, rich, meaty, yet elegantly knit, black fruit and nutty oak flavors; smooth, plush finish.
2011 HALL “Jack’s Masterpiece” Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley), $125. Blended with 4% Petit Verdot. Rich, plush, black fruit, spicy vanillin and mocha flavors—a palate-coating beauty.
2011 HALL “Ellie’s” Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley), $80.
91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Merlot. Deep, rich, plump, black fruit and toasty oak flavors; lush, “longer than always” finish.
J. Lohr’s Steve Peck and Jeff Meier in barrel room.
2011 J. Lohr “Cuvée St. E” Paso Robles Red Wine (Paso Robles), $50. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Big, rich, ripe, well-concentrated, black fruit flavors; smooth, well-integrated tannins.
2011 Ridge Monte Bello (Santa Cruz Mountains), $165. 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc. Big, deep, rich, power-packed, black fruit and smoky oak flavors—definitely for the long haul.
2012 St. Supéry “Dollarhide Estate Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley), $100. Rich, round, elegant, deliciously long, black fruit and cocoa bean flavors.
✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ Four-Star Wines ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩
Wines of outstanding character and quality —
examplars of their species.
2011 Ca’ Momi “Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley), $75. Big, rich, plump, juicy, black fruit, mocha and spice flavors.
2011 Corley “Yewell Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa/ St. Helena), $75. Elegantly nuanced black fruit, coffee and nutty oak flavors.
2012 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley), $34. Deep, rich, smoky, well-knit, black fruit and toasty oak flavors.
2011 Monticello “Jefferson Cuvée” Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley), $45. Big, rich, earthy, muscular, black fruit and smoky oak flavors.
2011 Monticello “Tietjen Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa/Rutherford), $75. Big, rich, round, juicy, black fruit and dark chocolate flavors.
2011 Peju “Fifty/Fifty” (Napa Valley), $85. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot from Peju’s Persephone Ranch vineyard. Lush, textured, black fruit, spicy vanillin and chocolate flavors.
2011 Stags’ Leap Winery “The Leap” Cabernet Sauvignon (Stags Leap District), $85. Big, deep, staunch, well-concentrated, black fruit and smoky oak flavors.
2011 Viader “Proprietary Red Blend” (Napa Valley), $150.
66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Cabernet Franc. Deep, rich, well-concentrated, coffee, black fruit and smoky oak flavors.
