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2005 CALIFORNIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON VINTAGE RATES EXCELLENT TO OUTSTANDING The 2005 California Cabernet Sauvignon vintage rates “excellent to outstanding” based on my tasting of over 40 barrel samples in May 2006. However, be forewarned, it’s a vintage that’s harder to read than tea leaves! The colors are amazingly deep red and rich. Many are big, chunky wines that are not well resolved, and need a year or more for evaluation. Those that are closer to balanced now have excellent to outstanding potential. Many contain tannins that are hiding the fruit and require time to reach equilibrium. Time will tell if 2005 will eventually rival 2001. Because this vintage has many wines in which the tannins are masking the fruit, the final evaluation will occur when the wines are bottled and released. Some wines will experience further blending or different aging or processing regiments that will affect their outcome. One thing’s for sure, this is a vintage where the consumer will have to do lots of tasting to determine which wines have evolved into wonderful California Cabernets. And, this vintage will have superstars! My general impressions of different producers are separated into Outstanding, Excellent and Good potential. Keep in mind that many wines are not included because they were too unbalanced to evaluate, and wines such as Harlan, Screaming Eagle, Araujo, and other California “first growths” were not available for tasting, and, thus are not included in this report. WINES WITH OUTSTANDING POTENTIAL (Producer, appellation): Diamond Creek, Volcanic Hill, Diamond Mountain Far Niente, Oakville, Napa Valley Groth Reserve, Oakville, Napa Valley (tasted January 2007) Marston Family, Napa Valley Nickel & Nickel, Branding Iron Vyd, Oakville Sbragia, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley WINES WITH EXCELLENT POTENTIAL: Barnett Vineyards, Napa Valley Chalk Hill, Chalk Hill, Sonoma County Dry Creek Vineyard, Endeavour, Dry Creek Valley Frias Family Vineyard, Spring Mountain Hendry Ranch Winery, Napa Valley Judd’s Hill, Napa Valley Justin Vineyard’s & Winery, Paso Robles Merryvale Vineyards, Napa Valley Mount Veeder Winery, Napa Valley Peacock, Spring Mountain, Napa Valley Robert Keenan, Napa Valley Silvervado Vineyards, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley Trefethen Reserve, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley WINES WITH GOOD POTENTIAL: Chateau Souverain, Alexander Valley Chimney Rock Winery, Reserve, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley Cinnabar, Santa Cruz Mountains Clos Pegase, Palisades Vyd, Calistoga, Napa Valley Dyer Vineyards, Diamond Mountain EMH Vineyards, Black Cat, Napa Valley Flora Springs Winery & Vineyards, Napa Valley Grgich Hills Cellar, Napa Valley Lancaster Estate, Alexander Valley Miner Family Vineyards, Oakville Round Pond, Rutherford, Napa Valley Silver Oak Cellars, Clone 37, Hillside, Alexander Valley
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The Alchemist's Wine Perspective™ |