To many
people, when you say “California Wines”, the mental leap is immediately to
Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact, the
growing conditions in many parts of California emulate some of the best
conditions for Cabernet in the Old World.
One of the
most anticipated events on the tasting calendar each year is the special
tasting of the California Cabernet Society, held recently in San
Francisco. For many of these wineries,
the production is small and you might have to go to the winery tasting room or
order directly from the winery if you want your own bottle.
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| Lauren Ackerman pours 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa's Ackerman Family Vineyards |
I started with the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon from Ackerman
Family Vineyards in Napa. Only 500 cases
of artisanal certified-organic Cabernet are produced yearly, and the wine is
held back a total of four years by barrel aging for two years and bottle aging
for another two before being released each October. This is a classic Cabernet, with deep fruit
flavors and mellow tannins that will enable it to be cellared for 10-20 years. The
wonderful aroma is redolent of deep
blackberry, Bing cherry, sweet plum and rich mocha/toasty oak.
Decant before you drink. $75 per
bottle. 14.2 percent alcohol. www.ackermanfamilyvineyards.com
The royal family of California wine, the Mondavi family,
presented its 2010 Family Reserve “Generations”. Pouring and discussing the wine was Alycia
Mondavi, a member of the fourth
generation in the wine business. This
scrumptious wine is a blend of 77 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 13 percent
Merlot, 8 percent Petit Verdot, and 2 percent Cabernet Franc. It is elegant, balanced, and presents aroma
of blackberry, cherry and toffee. A full
mouthfeel with berry and nutmeg leads to a rich finish. 15.3 percent alcohol.
Internet pricing $40 per bottle. www.cmondavi.com
Peju featured
its new release, 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley. This was my top choice; I liked the
blackberry and raspberry flavors, with a bit of pepper and cocoa. It’s a bright wine, yet with good structure
and complexity, and it is ready to drink right now! The ten percent petit verdot adds to its
elegance. 14.3 percent alcohol. $50 the bottle. www.peju.com
The Volker
Eisele 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 79 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 18
percent Merlot and 3 percent Cabernet Franc.
Aroma of black fruit and vanilla leads to a taste of blackberry and
black currant, and a crisp acidity. It’s a dry wine, with firm rich tannins. 14.5 percent alcohol. $45 the bottle. www.volkereiselefamilyestate.com
This information first
appeared in The Tahoe Weekly newspaper, where I write the Wine Time
column, on June 13, 2013
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