Recent 2009 CA Cabs...Hall, Sbragia, Antica, Mondavi, EG

Over the past weekend while at home after being on the road for two solid weeks, we went through a few of the “entrey level” 2009 Cabs from NorCal. All wines pop and pour.

2009 Sbragia Family Cabernet Sauvignon Andolsen Vineyard: What a disappointment. Bought this based solely on the reputation of Mr. Sbragia and his track record at Beringer with PR Cabs. This was green and weedy with a solid dose of oak and tannin. I do not think the fruit was anywhere near ripe when picked. Almost undrinkable. Bummer.

2009 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley: Inky purple in the glass with a strong nose of iodine that blew off rather quickly. Underneath was a good concentration of dark fruits, vanilla and spice. Pretty good tannic bite, but moderate on the oak treatment. Fruit is all there, but in the background behind the tannins. IMO, this is a wine that should rest for five years or so to integrate.

2009 Antica Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley: I had this with Nate from barrel a couple trips ago, but cannot find my notes. In a word, the wine is balanced…right out of the gate. Not big, massive or overblown in any capacity. On the palate, a good blend of red and black fruits with a backbone of sweet licorice. Nose of fresh tobacco leaf and a small dose of cinnamon/nutmeg (?). Very fine tannins with a wee tad amount of oak. Really, really good right now. At the price point, I can see this as being a house wine for entertaining those that are crossing over from novice to junior wine snob.

2009 Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon: Still represents the best bang for buck in Napa right now…for me at least. I got another case of this for $14.77 a bottle before the case discount. Wine is just now coming out of its primary stage to shed the oak and tannin to let the dark fruits come through with good texture. The '10 just hit, so time to get some and see if the trend is holding.

2009 Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley: For $20 +/-, this might be the wine to get from Napa in 2009. WAY better than recent tastings of the '07 and '08 bottlings. If served blind, I would have thought this to be the Oakville or even Reserve from Mondavi…lots of power and concentration here. Deep, dark fruits with up front, but accessible tannins and oak. This wine is definitely built for aging and a return to the Mondavi cabs of the 90’s. An easy recommendation for case purchases at this price from Costco.

I haven’t had the other wines you list but agree about the Robert Mondavi Napa Valley.

Thanks Bill.
Gonna get the Mondavi today and give it a whirl as i too had been dissapointed for a few years.