2010 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Knights Valley, Wine Review

This one started slow but opened with some air. Inky purple in color. The nose has cassis, clay, a bit of tobacco and a slight floral note. Full bodied. Bright acidity. Firm tannins. Flavors of cassis with underlying tobacco. Long finish. This still needs a few more years to full come together and will likely merit a higher score at that time. It is very good today, but considering the cost, a few more years of patience of a six hour decant is not a bad idea. This drinks nicely on its own and would be great with prime rib.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2010

Current Price:

$95.00USD

Top 50 California Cabernet Sauvignons to Try Before You Quit Drinking (a non-dump bucket list if you will!)

In putting together a list of the top California Cabernets, there is sure to be some disagreement. I tried to include those wines that have a track record, the wineries still making great wines, those that seemed to have the commitment for the future and some personal favorites. I am sure I left some out. 1. Shafer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select – It’s always hard to name the number one wine. But this has a track record that’s very long. Even in less than stellar vintages, it is an outstanding wine. They just don’t seem to make a dud. My only complaint is the price at over $200 a bottle. But, in comparison to other Napa Cabs or elsewhere in the world, this is a fair price.

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Winemaker David Vergari Talks Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and....Armed Guards?

Sometimes there are people you encounter in life who, the minute you meet them, you think "This guy has a story to tell and I bet he tells it well." David Vergari is that guy. A veteran winemaker, David launched his own eponymous label, Vergari Wines , in 2003. He recently sat down with IntoWine to share with us his evolution as a winemaker and, most interestingly, the stories "behind the wine". You founded the Vergari Wine Company in 2003. What inspired you to strike out on your own? It happened in two ways: gradually, then quite suddenly.

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2016 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, USA, California, Napa, St. Helena, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$200.00USD

Spottswoode has been producing some of the top Napa Cabs for quite a long time now. Year in and year out, they make some of the best Cabs anywhere. Drink them young and they are bold Napa Cabs, let them age for twenty plus years and its hard to tell them from the finest from Bordeaux. This one is very young, but it is delicious. It had been decanted for a short time prior to opening. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, cigar box and pencil lead. Enticing. On the palate, this is full bodied. Lots of cassis with some pencil led and nice tobacco. Thick tannins. Great balance. Lon

2018 Dakota Shy Cabernet Sauvignon Moulds Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

A+

This was a barrel sample. As it happened, I drove by the Moulds vineyard the next day so that was nice to get to see. I wouldn't call it mountain fruit but it is on the way up towards Mt.

2017 Dakota Shy Cabernet Sauvignon Ten, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$95.00USD

Tasted on a visit to the winery. This is 5% Cabernet Franc and the rest is Cabernet Sauvignon. It has an intense purple color, almost neon bright. The nose is primary but quite good with cassis, slight black cherry and lumber. On the palate, this has strong tannins. It also has a very lively texture which I attribute to great balance, acidity and purity of fruit. Lots of cassis with a nice underlying minerality. This winery had been highly recommended to me but this was my first time trying the wines so it is a bit hard to evaluate growth and maturity. Still, I would estimate that i

2010 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Knights Valley, Wine Review

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2016 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, USA, California, Napa, St. Helena, Wine Review

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