Monday, July 1, 2013

Napa Cabernets Highlighted During Churchill’s Tasting

As the Fourth of July approaches, we ask, “Is there any more iconic American wine than Napa Cab?” We set out to answer that questions during last weekend's tasting at a tasting at Walt Churchill’s Market Maumee location.

The tasting was ably led by wine consultant Joe Mosier. It opened, interestingly enough, with a 2012 Mason Cellars Sauvignon Blanc. Although a white wine, it displayed its Napa roots with a fuller than expected body. This veered toward the melon and grapefruit side of the flavor spectrum rather than the citrus that is displayed by New Zealand Sauv Blanc.

I was joined at the tasting by tasting team member Cabinator and he was ready to move to the reds. Four Napa Cabs were on the tasting menu.

Leading off was the Rombauer 2009 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. At $39.99, this is quite a value. It is rich and smooth, bursting with cherry and blackberry. It is a “pop and pour” wine – one that could certainly age, but delivers flavor satisfaction right now.

The Beau Vigne 2010 “Juliet” Napa Cabernet Sauvignon has a pleasant earthiness and a more complex profile. It has cinnamon and mocha flavors that add to the personality. The finish is long and smooth, aided no doubt by a 19% share of Merlot in the blend. This retails for $64.99. This wine could age through 2018.

Orin Swift is well known for The Prisoner, Abstract and his other popular wines. Palermo 2011 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon is his take on Napa Cab. The artwork on the label marked it as a Swift wine even before we got the tasting lineup. This wine is a fruit-driven success, but doesn’t have the sophistication of the “Juliet” Cab. It retails for $36.99, but at that price point, I think I’d rather go with the Rombauer. Certainly a good choice, however.

Anchoring the tasting was the Beau Vigne 2010 Cult Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. This is what premium Napa Cab is all about. This wine offers a complex twist on Cab with leather, earth and toasted oak accents. The flavor is led by blackberry and blueberry flavors. Cult has a blend of 85% Cab, 6% Merlot, 6% Cab Franc and 3% Petit Verdot.

This wine is ready to drink now through 2020. It retails for $79.99 and in the mixed-up world of Napa Valley, that is a very reasonable price for a quality Cab like this.

If you were playing poker and were dealt these five wines, you would certainly be holding a winning hand.

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2 comments:

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

Great tasting! One of the best I've been to in a while! Joe had a winning line up and you nailed the review, Dave. .. looking forward to many more! Debbie Lengel(the artist!)