A couple of wines over the weekend plus the Sandlands Trousseau tasted in another thread.
2014 Ryme Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Peacelands Vineyard
What I love about this wine is that it tastes like cab. Not cab that has been oaked to astringent bitterness or is boozy and flabby. Call it “old school”, “classic” or what ever the 2014 Ryme Cab is pure. Blackberry, boysenberry, nice streak of herbal notes a bit like Togni. Plenty of concentration but with acidity and fine tannins. Nicely balanced. Neutral barrels, no new oak, pretty much the opposite of virtually every Napa cab but for me what cab should be and was terrific with a rare sirloin.
2015 Idlewild Barbera, Fox Hill Vineyard
After having several great bottles of Idlewild 2014 barbera, it would take a lot for the 2015 to outshine it. Tasting the 2015 about 9 months ago at the pick up it was brooding, somewhat rustic but packed and showed potential. Fast forward to last night a bottle of the 2015 showed it will likely surpass the 14. Enticing aroma and flavors of black cherry, black raspberry, tar, cedar and a savory note likely from the whole cluster addition. Still very young but starting to integrate into something special. A big backbone of acidity but blends seamlessly with the fruit and savory notes. Outstanding barbera.
Tom