This was the kind of weekend that a novice wine enthusiast (such as me) dreams about. It was my time to sample the famous Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Stag's Leap Cellars, Alpha Omega Cab.. plus a few others deserving high marks.
First and foremost: Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2004
My first taste of a first-growth was blessed with a vintage that was not too high in tannin, therefore, pleasurable to the palette. Not ready yet, one can see how this will be in say... 2015 or so. The wonderful oaky fruits are beginning to show through the stuff tannin structure. If you speculate, I can see why you might choose Mouton. This will be a monster in years to come. As for now, the $400 price tag might be hard to swallow... It was offered to me at $300, however. No, I didn't bite. T-Scale 91!
Stags Leap Wine Cellars - Artimis 2006
Super wonderful wine with steaks! Starts hot but fades with a little time in the glass. Great sage, rosemary, and mineralogical ground cover throughout the glass makes this a bit less fruity and more worthy of a meal Cab. The fruit doesn't overpower your plate. Probably not my first choice as a stand-alone Cab, however. These are about $40 or so, so it's a bit more affordable than say, Winiarski's S.L.V. T-Scale 90
Next up is the 2007 Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon. This is one of my club wines, so unfortunately, you won't find it on the shelves anywhere (but if you do, let me know please!)I think I could probably drink this Cab exclusively. For me, this is the one. This might actually upset the leader, Justin Isosceles. It won't however, because of its price - $75. I guess if it was cheaper, we'd all be drinking it.. sigh. Anyway, this is one of, if not the best, Cabernet offerings as far as stand-alone quality goes. I would not pair this with a meal, but perhaps a dark chocolate instead. This thing is so fruit-forward it presents itself a bit port-ish, but not overbearing. Ready for this? T-Scale 95! This is the Cab to beat folks.
Ah.. the 2007 Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto, easily the best deal of the weekend at $26. This is a true "Super Tuscan" in which Cabernet dominates. Like a true Italian Cab, one finds old leather, dust, oak, and late blooming fruits with evolve with time in the glass. Do decant (actually decant all Cab before serving) as this will bring the fruits out of hiding. Good stuff and available. T-Scale 91
The Cheval des-Andes Argentina 2002 Cab was probably the most interesting South American Cab I've tried yet. You won't mistake these wines for American or French. I feel they're more Rioja or Tuscan with heavy oak, green pepper, leather and earth, but nonetheless a great wine. Yikes $75!!! Nice, but not that nice. T-Scale 88.
Ah last was Cliff Lede's 2007 Cab. There really is a bit of difference in the Stag's Leap district wines which differentiates them from the rest of Napa. I won't say I like them more, because I don't. They are, however, softer, spicier, and probably a better pair to food. This is no exception. Very nice evolution in the glass, changes to a softer mellow cassis and red fruit with time. Not cheap, $50, but not bad. T-Scale 89.
