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2009 Lewis-Weiser Cabernet Sauvignon House of Cards - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford (2/18/2012)
An outstanding effort. My friend Jeff Lewis gave me his first effort to taste. I gave it a 6 hour decant and then drank it with a dinner of grilled Flannery hangar steak. The wine has a pure, clean dark red, almost black color. The nose is red fruit and vanilla. The palate is red and black fruit, vanilla and eucalyptus. Not a flavor I expected, although it is present in some Cali Cabs. This is very well balanced and shockingly approachable wine for a 2009 vintage wine. Very smooth with no astringent tanins. Smooth as silk. There is also a light mocha component in the background. Jeff said this was a single barrel with new oak, but next time they will make two barrels, only one with new oak, to reduce the oak component. I think that will be a slight improvement.
My wife and some shared the wine with me and they both thought it was very good. Their general characterization was north of very good and approaching outstanding. When I told my son this was a first effort and had no age on it, he was more impressed with the wine. (92 pts.)
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