New reviews of outstanding Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons from a vintage that continues to surprise
Tasting Highlights bring the best of the past week’s tastings of California wines to WineSpectator.com members.
We have another baker’s dozen of outstanding wines that demonstrate how tricky vintages can turn out impressive, concentrated wines.
FRANK FAMILY Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2008 Score: 90Supple-textured, with ripe plum, cherry and currant notes that are open-knit and easy-drinking. Complex on a modest scale, ending with an elegant spice, cedar and light mineral edge. Drink now through 2018. 9,700 cases made. —J.L.
Another top scorer in this report comes from Bernard Magrez, a French wine magnate with dozens of properties all over the world. He recently released his first Napa Cabernets, and the 2008 is the most smooth and harmonious. The grapes are destemmed by hand, a method Magrez is fond of.
Take note also of Orin Swift’s Papillon, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Winemaker Dave Phinney—who is also responsible for the well-known The Prisoner bottling—has a knack for blending together grapes. With The Prisoner, six different grapes go into that Zinfandel-based wine. Here with Papillon, he sticks with a more traditional blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, from four different regions of Napa Valley.
-Wine Spectator