Cabot Hits the X

WINE TALK
1

Due to life changing events, I have missed a lot of tastings in the last few months, one being a Cabot OL. Fortunately, Jason Hagen got me a couple of bottles of the following wine, and I see what the fuss may be about, if the upper level Cabot Syrahs follow in the lineage of this what I must assume is an entry level bottling (I think it was about $15ish). I really liked the X at either end of the cork (not sure why, but I did), and the X on the label, so I’d know where they were located.

  • 2005 Cabot Vineyards Klamath Cuvee - USA, California, North Coast, Humboldt County (11/8/2009)
    Really nice stuff. Restrained fruit, good structure, a little rustic. Not too complicated or trying to be. Well made, interesting and tasty. If more CA Syrah tried to be like this, I’d be happier. (90 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

2

Thanks James,
The Cuvee is a blend of 60% Syrah, 20% Cab, 15% Zin, 4% Merlot, 1% Vio, aged in older barrels with around 15% new Hungarian.

And yes, there is no Pinot or mega purple in it. How’s that for full disclosure. neener

3

John,

You’re funny. [thumbs-up.gif]

Jim,
Nice note. You should ask John if they got any more Kimberly’s “one barrel” left.

4

…and Aria’s.

5

Yeah but out with it John! I know you added bacon bits to the One Barrel…

6

After all those years of throwing away perfectly good bacon grease, I figured topping up the Syrah barrels with it was far less wasteful. [wink.gif]

7

I am looking forward to trying some of these other bottlings… bacon fat aside…

8

Thanks for the note Jim. Real glad you liked it. Laura and I actually drank half a bottle last night. The rest will go tomorrow or the next day. I find it rustic early on followed but very nice purity after it has seen some air.

Jason

9

Are you sure? I see 15% Zin in the blend, and it’s common knowledge that CA Zin is MegaPurpledtoDeath.

10

This wine is our attempt at N.Ca. CdR. The Syrah provides the dark fruit and peppery spice, the Cab was very much like Carignane with it’s structured, curranty cherry, and the ZIn(we refer to as the Grenache of the north) provided that peppery/strawberry/raspberry to flesh out the finish. This wine is tight, and needs some time, but I think it will age nicely. It is all declassified estate juice from 05- a very cool, late year.

11

as I have said before, especially considering price, I found this to be in the ranks of a very high quality CdR and shows many elements of a CdP.

J