2000 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- USA, California, Napa Valley (2/10/2012)
3rd bottle. This wine remains one of the single best deals of 2011 for me. $30 at Wine Library; I am only sorry I did not back up the Nissan Murano.
Pure and focused this dark fruited wine shows its breed, even in the worst of vintages; black cassis driven with some blackberries and cardamom. Elegant and pure, this has some nicely placed graphite, soy and exotic tea leaf. I get tiny hints of menthol on this one. The dryness not as apparent than the last, this really does bring all the Napa Cab goodness’ together in one succinct package. Tannins are fully evolved and holding whilst acidity stays perplexingly alert.
Finish remains true to all that came ahead-- and long. Winemaker & vineyard manager need a medal for this one. Really. (93 pts.)
Thank you for the note, Mike. By chance I just posted a note on the 98. While I did not point it out, my wine also had the hint of mint/eucalyptus to which you refer. I do think the 98 sounds a bit more evolved aromatically (and perhaps a bit less on the finish) and perfectly enjoyable. At the price, I find it a great buy as well.
I totally agree that this was a screaming good buy. I have already had 6 of these and loved them all - my average rating was 92 and my notes have been similar to Mike’s. My most recent bottle notes: “…a big wine that exhibits a lot of bordeaux-like flavors, but housed in an unmistakeable big Napa style.” I would recommend decanting, both to open up the nose (aromas are subdued, especially with PnP), and because there has been some significant sediment in some of the bottles.
Had another one of these over the weekend. Truly unbelievable deal of the year (2011).
Last night’s Cinderella deal on mags might eclipse it for deal of the year of the year in 2012.