TN: Kitty kitty kitty.... 2008 EMH Cabernet Sauvignon Black Cat (USA, California, Napa Valley)

WINE TALK
1
  • 2008 EMH Cabernet Sauvignon Black Cat - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/9/2014)

It’s been on my to do list for a while, and as I am setting to do a berserkers vertical (here: EMH Black Cat Cab Vertical New York (Sat., July 12) - Event Planner - Online or Offline - WineBerserkers ), I decided to open one and test. So, I Pobega’d one from the delivery, after flipping a coin ('08 tails, '09 heads… you see which one wons). I would say that you get one extra point for every 30-45 minutes you leave it in the decanter. This dark ink colored wine is so tasty with our home made roasted peppers and some cheese (recipe for peppers is furnished upon request) Medium to long legs. Lots of berries that open up and balance over decanting. I did not try the '09 yet but it seems from the CT notes that the '09 is in a current more complex tasting point. I just love the casis on the nose and taste. The other strong point for me is the fact that the finish (which is medium long… more on the long side) is not one that leaves you with a ‘heavy’ or tiring feeling. It is one that leaves you in an enjoyable and relaxed position. I would say it is worth drinking, but I am happy I have few so I can ‘space’ them out. Can’t believe I waited for a while to test it. Looking forward to seeing this one developing more, and to trying it side-by-side the others. Next time I try it at home, it’s going to be with some meat tapas to feel the differences. But I already give thumbs up for veggies and cheese…

(So, to summarize: it started at 92-93, finished at 94 with the about 90 minutes+ decanting time. The biggest changes over that time: The nose at 45+ plus really opened up-more the equivalent of ‘totally changed’(1), the taste at 30 minutes or so was much more balanced, and again after an hour plus it changed more, and the spices in the background that developed after an hour plus. YMMV) (93 pts.)

Thank you Merrill for such wonderful work on the wine. Must trust a cat person [welldone.gif] This is good stuff [cheers.gif]

2

I smiled when I saw your note, as the picture from CT is from my bottle in September, enjoyed on our picnic table out back.

To me, Merrill’s wines are a unique take on Cabernet and always have a sense of elegance to them. They’re also very well balanced wines, even in their youth (and the '08 is still fairly young, to my palate). I don’t know if Merrill would agree with the characterization, but I think of Black Cat as a cab with a pinot noir sensibility.

Thanks for posting your note.

3

None of the cell phone pictures I took did justice to the wine, so I did not upload any to CT. Glad you had good kicks and it looked like a very nice day on your deck!
We still have more about 40 percent bottle left. Optional re-run tonight or we’d use it to prepare plum & cheese dessert :smiley: