2008 Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon "Napa Valley"

Winery: Grgich Hills

Vintage: 2008

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Napa Valley"

Wine Category: Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape blend: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petite Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, & 3% Merlot

Region: Napa Valley

State or country: CA

Price: $60

Cases produced: 14,890

KWG Score: 91.6 (based on 3 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (92)

Review date: December 22, 2011

Wine Review: This very dark ruby colored Cabernet opens with a mild blackberry bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, easy to drink and slightly fruit forward. The flavor profile is a tasty mild black raspberry with a hint of plum, black currant and dash of black pepper. The finish is quite dry and its dusty tannins are rather sticky and lengthy. This wine needs a little air and fat in the near term. Serve it with slow cooked beef brisket. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: We fermented the grapes using only yeasts that naturally occur on the grapes and allowed the wine to gain flavors and color from extended skin contact. Each lot is aged separately for several months, and then blended to create a wine that is more complex than its individual parts. After blending, the wine spent another year and half in barrel to completely harmonize before bottling. Elegant and full bodied, the wine's complex aromas of black berries, black licorice and a hint of cocoa powder are the perfect partner with grilled steak, roasted rack of lamb or venison stew.

Organic status: not organic

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