A Social Media Conversation: #CabernetDay Recap
Hello Friends,
Last Thursday I got together with a few friends (here in person) and thousands of wine lovers around the world (via social media outlets) to celebrate the Cabernet grape. The event, hosted by brand strategist Rick Bakas, follows last year’s hugely successful inaugural #CabernetDay event. This day-long, interactive event is a conversation via social media to promote Cabernet with wine lovers from all over the globe. Some tasters poured Cabernet Franc -- and I was personally glad to see Chinon represented, while others enjoyed a Cabernet based blend. However, the wine that was tweeted and poured the most was Cabernet Sauvignon. That’s not surprising, as Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most popular and celebrated grapes in the world and is often referred to as the “King of Red Wine Grapes.”
#CabernetDay Lineup
While grown all over the world, Cabernet Sauvignon has thrived on the Left Bank of Bordeaux for centuries. Cabernet Sauvignon also grows particularly well in California’s Napa Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon is produced in a wide variety of styles, but its greatest gift is its potential to make well-structured, long-lived, alluring, and highly complex wines. You would never believe it’s an offspring of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc – a discovery made by researchers at UC Davis in the late 90s. The five wines we uncorked were all California Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Two were from the Napa Valley; two came from the Alexander Valley AVA within Sonoma, and last but not least, was a 1997 Quatro from Sonoma County. The Flora Springs (Napa Valley) 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon was the overall crowd-pleaser, the Sequoia Grove (Napa Valley) 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon offered the most inviting and charming aromas, and the Pellegrini (Alexander Valley) 2007 Cloverdale Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon displayed the best overall structure. The Lancaster Estate (Alexander Valley) 2006 Sophia's Cuvée [86% Cab Sauv 14% Merlot], in my opinion, is still a teenager, but opened nicely over time. I hope to revisit this wine again in a year or so. The 1997 Quatro, at fourteen years old, had a youthful appearance but was spiraling downward on the nose and palate. In fairness, this wine was likely meant to be consumed a few years after bottling as opposed to fourteen years later. However, from time to time we have come across some surprises so we always try to include a bottle with some age on it in our tastings. I’ve included my tweets below on the four wines we enjoyed. Our tasting order went from top to bottom – in retrospect, the Lancaster should have been last. My thanks to Rick Bakas from St. Supery Vineyards for organizing this event – it was great fun! By the way ... did you know September is California wine month? Click here for details.
@FloraSprings 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon: Well balanced and harmonious, w/ aromas of dark cherry, perfumed boysenberry, and cocoa undertones w/ a pleasing velvety finish. #CabernetDay #wine@SequoiaGrove 07 Cab Sauv : Inviting, complex aromas of dark and purple stone fruit w/ a touch of mocha. Firms up at the mid-palate, w/ tannic strength on the finish #CabernetDay #wine
@LancasterEstate 06 Sophia's Cuvée [86% Cab Sauv 14% Merlot]: Silky mouth-feel, yet bold structure, dark fruit profile with touches of cedar and herb. Finishes with drying, robust tannins #CabernetDay
@PellegriniWines 07 Cloverdale Ranch Cab Sauv: Dark cherry, red currant, firm structure, nutmeg w/ a touch of toast and vanilla in the finish #CabernetDay #wine
Have a question about this post, friends? Feel free to leave a comment or send me an e-mail at myvinespot@yahoo.com, and as always, Happy Sipping! Stay tuned ...more to come!
CLICK HERE to visit Flora Spring's website.
CLICK HERE to visit Sequoia Grove's website.
CLICK HERE to visit Pellegrini's website.
CLICK HERE to visit Lancaster's website.
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