Shafer Vineyards of the Napa Valley have produced some outstanding Cabernets, Chardonnays and Merlots. They have even been acknowledged for that and received the James Beard Foundation’s 2010 “Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional” award. The winery has now come out with another concoction, their 2007 One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon.
The experienced winemaker Elias Fernandez has been responsible for creating their memorable masterpieces. Even this release has the makings of one. It is a mix of 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petite Verdot, and has been stored for 20 months inside a 75% new French oak, and 25% one year old French oak barrels.
Your olfactory senses get a luxurious yet soft wiff, which then becomes a musty barnyard smell. It is a dryer and much more refined alternative to the not so subtle “fruit bombs†of the Napa Valley area. The taste is gamy, with abundant hints of clove. The taste finishes fast but not too fast. They recommend pairing this wine with tuna preparations or roast lamb. But one can try it with other sea food as well. A 750ml bottle comes with a price tag of $75. Seems like worth trying out.
