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2008 Frog’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/5/2011)
Opened for 5 hours- not decanted. Black-garnet color with some clarity. Aromas of black olive, currants, blueberry, tobacco, and lavender. Forward open fruit notes greet the palate- blackberry, black currant, cassis… along with secondary notes of cocoa, coffee, and black tea. Medium bodied, with a pleasant creamy weight, and fine grainy tannins and a big fruit wash on the finish. I was disappointed in the 2007, there just wasn’t enough on that wine. This however is outstanding- balanced, elegant, great depth, and approachable now- yet built for medium-term aging. (92 pts.) -
2008 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford (8/5/2011)
Opened for 5 hours- not decanted. A dark and dense ruby color. Red-fruit cake notes on the nose; along with vanilla & coffee, and hints of cedar. Dense fruit on the palate- black cherry, cassis, black berry. Secondary cocoa, mineral, and leather notes; along with firm savory tannins. Medium finish. The initial candied fruit aroma on the nose is a little off-putting, but solid thereafter. Needs time to resolve, but solid overall. (89 pts.) -
2008 Honig Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/5/2011)
Opened for five hours, not decanted. Dense and dark ruby color. Bouquet of leafy tobacco, cocoa, vanilla, and black currant. Aggressive oak notes on the palate- cocoa, vanilla, coconut- within are sweet black and blue fruit notes. Grainy across the palate, with big dusty tannins and a medium length finish. More aggressive with oak and sweet dark fruit, and not as approachable and balanced as the 2007. This is big, not sure if it will balance out. Good overall, but not very refined. (87 pts.)
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