2006/2007 Cal Cab Development Trends

WINE TALK
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I have been having this discussion with some other winemakers about what I have noticed about the 2006 and 2007 Napa Cabernet vintages, so I thought I would throw this out there just for discussion purposes.

When 2006 was in the fermenter I had no doubt that it was better than the 2005 vintage, as it had good fruit but much more backbone than that vintage. But then, once the wines were in barrel a few months, they really closed up and lost much of their flesh. And they stayed that way; more linear, more structured, more needing of time. After 3 years it seemed the vintage was destined to be a “good” one that would need 5-10 years to hopefully show it’s best. This has stayed true ever since…that is until about 4-5 months ago.

The 2007s were clearly phenomenal the moment they were in tank and have been amazing ever since, with great fruit, tremendous balance, enormous concentration and smooth but pronounced tannin. All the flesh of 05, all the structure of 06, but a level of concentration above either. That is, until the last 4-5 months.

The 2006s have REALLY opened up in many of the Cabs I have had lately and right now seem to be drinking better than most 2005s, a vintage so fruity, I figured it would be the better vintage for at least 10 years. The 07s still have amazing textures and massive mouthfeels at reasonable ripeness levels (for California,) but the noses are closing up big time right now and for my money, are less drinkable than the quickly gaining 2006s.

I have had many 2007s the last month or two and it seems that the trend is happening at many wineries. No one is worried because you can tell by the mouthfeel and tannin quality that the 07s are a classic vintage, easily the best of my short tenure here and is considered by most veterans to be alongside the 2001, 1994 and 1974 vintages. But it also seems like many of these are not going to show as well right away as some were hoping. I had Alpha Omega’s entire 2007 lineup the other day (which I will report on in another thread) and their 07 Era was the first wine I have ever had from bottle that I have to score like a barrel sample. It almost has to be scored in a range, depending on how it develops. Btw, the range is from excellent to amazing.

Most of the great 07s I had a year ago out of barrel are not as aromatically explosive now as they were then and I am starting to think everyone will have to be a little more patient than one might have predicted some time ago. They will be great, but drinking them soon might be infanticide, something I rarely find true of Cabs from Napa. Meanwhile, many 06s are in a very good spot right now. I don’t know if they will stay there and if this is just a nice window or whether this is just a pleasant surprise, but they are gaining weight while not losing their steely core. Decanting a few hours does wonders for many 06s right now if you are not ruffled by some tannin.

Just goes to show that even we are fairly limited in projecting drinkability on our own creations. I would be interested to know if others in the industry are seeing this trend?

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Not in the industry per se, but smiling nontheless. newhere

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Yeah, it’s not an industry only thread, I am also interested to know if consumers recollect similarities in previous great vintages?

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Roy,

Thanks for sharing this. I try not to get too hung up on vintages, but find the variations interesting. One of my favorite aspects of he board is getting winemaker’s perspectives like this. Think I might need to dig out some 06 Cabs for the Superbowl.

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Just remember to decant for 3+ hours.

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I drink a good amount of Ca. Cab, but I can’t speak much on comparing 06 to 07, but I think I have had a good number of 06’s to render an opinion comparing it to the 05 vintage as you referred in your post. My own personal opinion first is that the 06’s are MUCH more age worthy then the 05’s and they do in fact have more backbone. I agree with your comments on this. I don’t feel the 06 is better than the 05 vintage unless you age your wines 10 + years. If that is the case, then quite possibly the 06’s could be a better purchase. Most of the 06’s I have had recently were just too tannic. Even after 3 hours of decanting, it seemed to me most of these wines just need years of bottle age to demonstrate their true potential.

I like the 05 vintage, but not as much as 04. The 05’s for the most part are approachable now, but will be even better a few years down the road. My hopes are some of the overoaked “cults” I have had from 05 will integrate with the fruit forward nature of that vintage and provide some excellent consumption pleasure in a few more years.

My 06’s are put away and forgotten about. I just find them not ready for prime time at the moment. If the 07’s are equivalent to 97’s a some have suggested elsewhere, then I will lay those down to and enjoy them in about 10 years. Right now I am enjoying 97,99 and 01 very much. Some absolutely amazing wines at this point.

Just my opinion, for whatever that may be worth .

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Interesting perspective, Alan. I might like the 05s just slightly more, or at least as equal, as they are really showing their all lately. Reminds me a bit of the 01s.

The 06s have been instant joy, just not as instant as 02s and 04s…

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2006 was such a hot summer. how many days in a row did it hit 100* in NV that summer? 10+ easy.