World’s End “If Six Was Nine” 2009

Okay, I admit it, I am a through and through music junkie. It is a life long passion, and occasionally problem, and it has conditioned me to be exceptionally sensitive to music references in marketing; when they are done poorly, as they most often are, I find it difficult not to track down the marketing “expert” that came up with the idea and let loss every bit of pent up angst I can muster, but when done well, as I have pointed out before, it is pure bliss. World’s End’s If Six Was Nine is pure bliss. Seriously, the marketing, the wine making team, and especially the wine itself are truly superb.  The wine is a Bordeaux style cover of a California Cabernet Sauvignon reserve, meaning, of course, it also has a bit of Merlot and Cabernet Franc and I certainly won’t complain.  The mouth feel is like velvet, the flavors range from tobacco and leather to the most pleasant strawberry tart I have every came across in a wine (really, not a bit annoying and definitely not jammy). Grab a bottle, enjoy it with the best guitar track you have, as the name is a Hendrix reference, and remember that this is only the lower end of their line, and trust me that is a great thing.

Philip Togni Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Okay guys and girls, sirs and madams, this is a special wine, in fact, it is beyond special, it has the potential to be life changing. I am speaking of Philip Togni’s 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, which is estate produced, with grapes from their Spring Mountain vineyard, but, to be completely honest, I could be speaking of any of Philip Togni’s cabs. I am sure most are asking, rightfully so, how can a wine few have heard of change one’s life? The answer lies in one well prepared sip, and the sensory immersion and lingering bliss that follows.
This wine is reminiscent of a high quality
Bordeaux, or of a premium Napa Cabernet, but in truth, and in practice, it is neither and both. It teases you with familiarity, then plunges you into a well of new sensation simply to pull you back up to do it again. The wine tastes of dark berries, and jam that is none too sweet, of leather and tobacco that provide perfect depth, but it is the earth and the mushrooms that make it truly unique.  The mouth feel is velvet and the tannins are supremely balanced.
I know if have been gushing, and, upon your first bottle I hope you will understand. This wine should be served to any true wine lover, to any lover of wine that is questioning that love, and to anyone who fears they have lost it, for it will both revive and inspire. This is also a wine that deserves a place in any well stocked cellar, for I see, perhaps, twenty years of further growth within these bottles. But, beyond all it deserves to be recognized and celebrated, so please find a bottle or a glass and enjoy it, let it fully consume you for a few moments, and remember what it was like, that first bottle that stole your heart.

Kestrel Signature Edition Old Vine Cabernet 2007

Until quite recently I have completely neglected Washington state reds, due to unsatisfying early experiences, and instead placed the region into a white wine only catagory. Luckily I was convinced to give them another try and I have found that the region has made tremendous strides, and is now producing some simply superb Cabernet Sauvignons. The Kestrel Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 is a great example; while I still would not place it at the same level as the higher end California cabs, it definitely holds its own and is a true pleasure to drink. It is a wine to decant, but, assuming that is done, it is impressively smooth. I also would like to note that this cab would benefit from another two or three years rest.

Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2009

The 2009 Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve just recieved the honor of being the only Cab in Wine Spectator’s top ten wines of the year. I am not going to go as far as to say that this was undeserved, as it is a truly awesome wine, but there are several other Cabernet Sauvignons that I see as more fitting of the ranking.  That, as most ratings, rankings and evaluations are, is just my version of an educated opinion,  and I do not wish to dissuade anyone from obtaining this wonderful wine, my only suggestion would be to let it lay for a couple more years, as it is still a bit hot on the finish.

Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

The are a select few names that automatically come to mind when pondering Napa Cabs; one that falls into that category, and happens to be one of my perennial favorites,  is Caymus Vineyards’ Cabernet Sauvignon.  The 2009 vintage ended up being quite controversial due to Caymus’ decision to leave the grapes on the vine through a wet period that caused most vineyards to harvest early. This left the wine with a bit more residual sugar than is typical, basically turning the vintage into a love it or hate it wine. One’s react to the 2009 Caymus Cab seems to be intensely personal, varying greatly between individuals, so all I can give is my personal opinion, and that is, while the 2009 is very different than typical Caymus releases, it is very well done, and I have greatly enjoyed it.

Amici Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

a Amici Cellars is a quite small production and definitely not well-known (not yet at least), but they definitely should be. This is their core Cabernet Sauvignon, and it is a great, straight forward Napa Cab, with quality apparent all the way through.