TN: 2007 Saxum James Berry, 2004 Cosentino Cabernet CE2V Secret Clone

WINE TALK
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  • 2007 Saxum James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (12/27/2009)
    Mike popped thlis open from his stash as well. I was excited to see what all the hype was about. Since this bottle was popped on a whim, it was a pop and pour and really could have used some time to breathe. Great nose of dark raspberries, some oak and pepper. Big wine with the raspberries really shining on the palate, leading to a finish that had some undertones of chocolate and spice. After about 30 minutes the heat dissipated on the finish which lead to everything really being in balance. Should only get better with time.

Note: I love Saxum’s, I mean really love them and this probably will get better with time, but at this stage I have had a couple of others that have been better than this one IMO. Maybe we popped it too young with no decant?? Regardless, this was a treat to have and I’m glad I got to experience it at this stage. Will open another one in a few years to check in.

  • 2004 Cosentino Winery Cabernet Sauvignon CE2V Secret Clone - USA, California, Napa Valley (12/27/2009)
    Mike was kind enough to open this and the 2007 Saxum James Berry last night. I’ve never heard of this wine but it was fantastic. Huge(and gorgeous) nose of black currant, dill, dark chocolate and dark fruits. full bodied but not over the top at all. Had an excellent silky mouthfeel to it with a fantasticly long finish. Great balance of tannins and acid to tie this bottle up wonderfully. I’ve never heard of them and at the price tag (over $150) I’m not sure I am a buyer (actually, I’m SURE I’m not a buyer.) But this was a wonderful bottle of Cabernet. I havenn’t had one this good in a while.

Posted from CellarTracker

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Congrats to you and yours for your new one on the way! [dance-clap.gif]

Thanks for the notes. Have a James Berry on tap to go down in the next few days. Will decant.

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Thanks for the note on the JB, trying to keep my hands off em for a bit longer.

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Opened an 07 JBV over Xmas. Maybe off the charts expectations played a roll, but at this point it wasn’t a crazy OMFG experience over two nights. A good wine, heck yeah. But I liked the 06 Broken stones I opened recently much more. The alcohol was an issue for me on the first night. But, as usual, the last glass was the best.

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I’ve never heard of CE2v till last year, but it’s a really good bottle. I’m not sure how they price themselves so high since… they are really under the radar. But it’s a very well made napa cab.

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Note - Cosentino is having serious financial issues according to the wine business press . . . maybe you’ll be able to pick some of these up cheaper within the next 12 months?!?!?!?

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My first job out of UCD was working the tasting room at Cosentino. The Secret Clone is from their Pope Valley property (which they no longer own). The wine took off with a $100K bid (iirc) at the Napa Valley Wine Auction, thus putting the price up there. I’ve always really enjoyed this bottling but even at employee price, it was too expensive. If you are looking to score some cheaper, look in the Chicago market. They tend to get dumped at good prices in Chitown. FWIW, the local Grocery Outlet has their Legends (partnership w/Larry Bird) Merlot for $8/btl. Not a bad price for a $34 bottle at the winery but nothing I am too excited about, even at $8.