Sitting here at my desk downing the last bit of coffee, I can’t help but thinking: Are we not poised for the most exciting times ever to be a Cabernet drinker?
With 2007 Napa on the horizon. The 2005s and 2006s still widely available. The 2002s and 2004s giving instant fruit-loving gratification, and the majestic 2001s still lingering around here and there, all while many prices keep coming down to the real value levels again, this sure is a great time to be Cabernet drinkers.
Even if a dismal vintage or two roll around, we have at least 4 or 5 years of love ahead of us. With one of the most exciting tasting years ahead, Calandar year 2010 should be amazing. My CLONYC plans are too many to corral in. With no less than 8 ideas brewing right now, I say, bring on the new year! I have already warned the wife not to wait up.
Even my friends are making top notch wines! Well done, Steve!!
My vintage preferences so far (right now), in order: (2007 not included…yet)
1st-2001
2nd-2005
3rd-2006
4th-2004 tie 2002
“It’s good to be the king”.
What are your plans? Thoughts?
I am getting what '07s come my way that represent high quality and reasonable value. I think that lots of folks will be suprised at how good 2008 will be for Napa cabs, and will be saving some coins for them as well.
As much as I like touting the medium to higher priced boys, like Buccella, Merus, Maybach, and Schrader, (amongst others), I think the value oriented wines from 2007 will represent a true QPR in 2007. I expect the sub $60 wines to represent a big portion of my attention. Steve E. would agree with me on this one.
Great wine, easily (reasonably) available. Win/Win
I look forward to the ‘market dumps’ as well. (recently, like the Charlie’s Patch)
I like the 2002 for drinking now, so much fruit yet they do not seem like over ripe bombs…luv em. I like the 97s and 99s I am drinking from. The 01s seem to need more time. Hated the 03s. Think the 04s are a lighter version of the 02s and have enjoyed the 05s, thinking they could be a cross between 02 and 01. Not many 06s out yet that I can see. I am still waiting for my QPR Souvrain 06 Cab to show up.
Keith, there will be a pre-phylloxera Cabernet thread in the near future. More up your alley, but what should one expect from a Francophile in a Cabernet thread? You did well.
Bob K, I agree with you in that there is something disagreeable about 2003s for sure. Lately I have had a couple of outstanding 2002s, with one of them, a Maiden, being perhaps my Cab of the year. Still hard to beat Ramey Jericho 2002 as well. 2004s came out of the gate wide open, so I wonder if they will have the staying power of the 2002 or 2005 vintages.
Actually had a 2003 Pride Cabernet Sauvignon (Regular Bottling) on Saturday night. While not a total disappointment, it was fairly angular and just a tad green. Glad it was my last bottle.
The problem is “they arent making them like they used to”. So many cabs from the 80s and 90s are drink so good now but I fear the wines made in the very late 90s and 2000s were made in a way that allows them to show and drink well at a young age we won’t get the amazing transformation from aging.
In alot of ways I think 1980s and early 1990s are some the best QPR CA cabs around right now. Im consitently impressed. I just think those days are over.
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