TN: 2007 Congruence Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

WINE TALK
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2007 Congruence Cabernet Sauvignon-Maiden Voyage - USA, California, Napa Valley (11/5/2009)
This is a dark wine with reddish-purple tinged edges. swirling about it sticks to the side of the glass (what us old timers used to call legs). The nose is enticing & inviting with cherry cola, mocha, Crème de Cassis, black currant, and framboise. Very pretty and aromatic–worth the price of admission itself. The palate shows some black & red fruits of black cherries, currants, red plums, and a hint of Chinese apple. Some Kirsch, floral notes with some leather and earth. Its a medium weight wine with grace and structure. A slightly dry edge with a classy tannin/acid base. Some lushness shows its head, and some baby fat keeps it all covered snugly, but my overall impression is happiness and joy. What more does one seek? A long finish keeps the memory alive for more than 2 minutes. A Maiden Voyage I am glad to be a part of. (92 pts.)

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Shill! neener [berserker.gif]

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[rofl.gif]

The truth is, it’s a great wine, made by a good friend. I get nothing for my endorsement other than joy and happiness. I’ve got to give Steve credit: he took an idea that may seem ludicrous to some, and made it a reality (especially in this economic environment).

In the meantime, I have 9 bottles of joy and happiness left, and maybe some of my ‘other’ friends my share in some. Maybe.
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I know, I’m just breaking balls. I think it’s great that Steve went and followed his passion and made it happen. I’d love to do the same some day. I congratulate him. I’d love to try his wine too. Hint, hint.

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Yeah, yeah. Just because you’re on the mailing list doesn’t mean you’ll get any allocation. neener

Hopefully, Dan, Max and/or Todd will weigh in after today’s lunch.

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I saw Dan last night at the Cuddlers house, he said the wine was good…but what does he know? newhere

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It is a good wine. Steve was wise to dial back the oak. I’m very happy with how it turned out.

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I’ll second that. Great cab, and I’ll be buying the '08’s! Great job Stee! Definitely looking forward to these and seeing how they evolve! -mJ

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Thanks for the responses. The feedback so far has been very heartening. The most gratifying part is that the wine appeals to people whom one might consider to have wildly different palates. I gave a taste to the good Jay Miller on Saturday and he liked it, as did Max on Friday. I’m succeeding in making a wine that appeals to Mark, Mike, Ben, Max, Dan (?, I think anyway), Todd (?) and the good Jay Miller, which makes me feel pretty good.

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Absolutely, Steve - it’s a very well made wine! It’s not ‘my style’ for cab, but I certainly enjoyed it, and it was perfect with the squab, if you recall, because of the sauce that was with it. That makes me think that it would kill with a nice stew, or bbq…

Looking forward to the opportunity to try the '08, which you say is so much better!

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I never commented…had a great lunch a few weeks back with Todd, Massimo and Steve E.

Steve generously brought 2007 Congruence for us to sample, as I had been bugging him for a while.

He recommended no decanting, which I think was a mistake.

The wine, after about an hour, softened up and was very delicious. I can recognize well made wine. Put this right up there with Sierra Carche.

Seriously, well done, Steve.

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I had this last week at the CLONYC dinner and it was a really nice wine. If I had any complaint it would be that it’s a bit light in the ass, but all the flavors that I love in Cal Cab were there. It’s a great first effort that’s for sure.

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The 2007 is a single vineyard wine. While I love the vineyard, it does have some limitations. Hence, the 2008 is a four-vineyard blend that adds a lot of depth and complexity to the pallette. I firmly believe the 2008 is superior, by a good amount, to both the 2007 single vineyard wine and a prototype 2007 blend I put together.

Dan might be right on the decanting, but I sort of like watching the wine develop over time. At the dinner last week, I maybe should have tried decanting.

I also think the room was too warm last week, which caused the wine to suffer a bit.

But thanks for the input, guys.

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I believe you should send me a case of samples so I can further evaluate and better report on this wine. [berserker.gif]

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I think he’ll recommend heavier ass.

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Couldn’t hurt.

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What’s it go for a bottle?

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Tbd. But well south of $100, which is the price my (former) winemaker recommended. I anticipate the website launching in full around late-February/early-March. There will be a presale period with reduced pricing from the release price - including a Berserkers special.