05.28.2013 Wine Reviews: Black Coyote Wines, CADE Winery, and Raymond Vinyards

Hello Friends,

I know you would never believe this, but I uncork or unscrew a new wine adventure just about every day. Being a wine enthusiast, a wine blogger, and someone who thoroughly appreciates and enjoys the liquid expression of a place, a person’s vision, and Mother Nature’s influence, I often tell people that wine is one of the most intriguing beverages in the world. It’s a hobby where there is always something new to taste and learn as well as great people to meet in real life or via those wonderful social media portals called Facebook and Twitter.

Having a splash of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Below are a few of my recent sips accompanied by my tasting notes and a picture I snapped of each bottle. All three of these Cabernet Sauvignon wines are from the Napa Valley appellation. Two are from specific sub-appellations (Atlas Peak and Rutherford) within Napa Valley while one is a blend of sub-appellations.  All three, in my opinion, are pretty delicious and offer the depth, length and structure you would expect to find in a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at these price points (which are within the ball-park). Variety, so they say, is the spice of life, so keep an open mind and an open palate and enjoy the experience. Drink well, my friends!

Black Coyote Reserve 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

1) Black Coyote Wines Atlas Peak Reserve 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (SRP $85): My current notes are pretty consistent with a bottle I opened up a several months ago. This is unmistakably Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It shows richness, good depth of flavor/length, ripe concentration, and sheer fruit intensity that is pure and focused from start to finish. It is full-bodied and expressive with an expansive, velvety texture and balanced tannins with layered red berry and purple stone fruit aromas/flavors that are accented by brown spice, cedar, and graham cracker crust. This wine is big, yet balanced, and lifted by a firm spine of acidity that keeps everything in check/harmony. The 2007 vintage is near impossible to find nowadays; unless you have a friend with some in his/her wine cellar. Wine Enthusiasts rated it 97 points and a regional wine chain surprisingly reduced the price to $50. Needless to say, the ‘Rating Hounds’ quickly snatched it all up. Several of my bottles are from a friend (who is a Rating Hound) who went on a mad hunt for this vintage when it received the high rating. Overall, this is a very tasty wine that’s drinking nicely now with enough acidity, fruit, and tannin to get interesting over time with proper cellaring. My plan is to hold a small vertical (2007-2010) to see if subsequent vintages are consistent (or not) with this bottle of liquid exuberance and lusciousness. Approximately 450 cases of this wine were produced. Click here to visit the producer's site.

CADE Napa Cuvée 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

2) CADE Cuvée Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (SRP $60): The CADE Cuvée is composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec and sourced from select Napa Valley vineyards in (Beckstoffer’s George the 3rd) Rutherford, (Beckstoffer’s Orchard Avenue) Oak Knoll, (Kenefick Ranch) Calistoga, and (Dr. Crane) St. Helena. This wine has an alluring nose of black cherry and cassis with dark berry undertones, allspice, and a kiss of sweet oak and dark chocolate. On the palate, it is smooth with a silky texture and well-integrated tannins with a fleshy mid-palate that leads to a satisfying, lingering finish. Overall, this is a nice bottle of wine to drink now that may also reward those patient enough to cellar it short-term. CADE Winery is a sister winery to PlumpJack and I have recently enjoyed other CADE selections including their Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and Estate and Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. Approximately 288 barrels of this wine were produced which is approximately 7.2K cases. Click here to find this wine.

Raymond Vineyards District Collection “Rutherford”

3)  Raymond Vineyards District Collection “Rutherford” 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (SRP $75): I had an opportunity to taste this selection for a recent CellarPass event. The Rutherford edition is one of two appellation specific wines from Raymond’s new small-batch “District Collection” series (the other is Calistoga). This wine displays a brilliant, deep ruby color with inviting blackberry, black currant, dark cherry, and cassis aromas with underlying mocha, and bittersweet chocolate notes along with a pleasant (sweet) spiciness. On the palate, the wine is (fairly) mouth-coating, richly textured, and layered with good depth of flavor, dusty tannins, and a long, persistent finish. I enjoyed this wine both on its own and with a smoked brisket dinner. Approximately 500 cases of this wine were produced. Click here to find this wine.

Along My Walking Trail: Great Blue Heron

Have a question about this post? Feel free to drop me an e-mail at myvinespot@yahoo.com or hit me up on Facebook or Twitter. Stay tuned ...more to come. Happy Sipping, my friends!

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