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32nd Annual Best of The Best:
California Cabs/Red Blends

QRW Tasting Team



Chuck Wagner of Caymus Vineyards in barrel room

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 Peck and Meier in barrel room

J. Lohr’s Steve Peck and Jeff Meier in barrel room.

 

J. Lohr’s Cuvee St. E. label

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.

 

St. Supery Dollarhide label

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.

 

Monticello Cabernet Sauvignon label

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.

 



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