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2012 Checkerboard Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Kings Row - USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain (1/20/2016)
Nice stuff! This, IMO, was the standout bottle at a Checkerboard-hosted dinner for their 2012 vintage, which included their single vineyard reds from Coyote Ridge, Aurora, and Nash Creek. Despite it being entry level, it was by far the most approachable of the lot with no hint of green. The others had a distinct pine & herbal taste (some more than others) while the King’s Row was all wonderful mountain fruit. There wasn’t much tannin compared to the others, and what was present was very fine. Not a huge fruit bomb; not an AFWE profile either. If memory serves, it was somewhere around 80% to 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, with a good portion of Merlot, then Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot filled out the blend. It could lay down for a couple years to be even better once it’s more resolved, but it’s so good now with an hour or two of air why wait? Easy to pair with food also, it went as well with everything from the fig & goat cheese crostini appetizer, to the filet, then to dessert. The Merlot probably helped make it a nice enhancement for flourless chocolate cake. Quite a versatile wine and well worth the price. (92 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker