There are
two kinds of Napa Cabernet. Those that reflect the iconic traditional style of
Napa Cab and have been for decades…and everything else. In the last number of
years many stalwart Napa producers have gone for over ripe fruit, extracted
wines and a homogenized style that offers nothing unique. On the plus side, wineries
like Freemark Abbey have retained the iconic Napa style. What sets their 2015
Rutherford Cabernet apart is the sheer seamless-ness of the wine, deftly pulling
together oak, fruit, wood, tannin and acidity to create an absolutely indulgent
wine. With grapes from three separate Rutherford vineyards the result is classic
blueberry, black berry, boysenberry, hints of black cherry, plum, lingonberry
and those “dusty” tannins Rutherford is famous for, not to mention subtle signs
of mocha and sweet tobacco. Nearly 27 months in barrel (just under 60% was new
French oak) has helped create a gorgeous wine, the kind of drinking experience
you never rush through, but savor because you don’t want the bottle to end too
quickly.
ORIGIN: Rutherford AVA, Napa Valley
ALCOHOL: 14.5%
PRICE: $70/ 750ML
SCORE: 95 POINTS
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