Taste: At this time, probably the most approachable of the next three Cabs Lots 34 to 36. This elegant beast offers aromas of chocolate-covered cherries, vanilla, and dusty earth. On the palate, rich, brooding flavors of blackberries and cherries followed by tobacco leaves and cedar. This full-bodied Cabernet is notably rich and concentrated and will easily benefit from decanting or cellar aging as it spent some time aging on 100% new French oak. Structured and polished with firm tannins. Young and tight for the time being, so decanting is definitely in order (as it is with most of our wines). The first year of a Cabernet's life in bottle comes and goes in waves before settling in for more consistent, long-term aging. The patient will be rewarded.
Cameron Confidential: This is primarily a grower wine wrapped together with a few small, high-end components. 2005 was a huge harvest with many growers left without contracts and forced to make the wines themselves. This particular wine was made in a high-end custom crush facility in Napa. Since we're seeing a competitive "bulk" market, the wines are made to the nines because they will not sell otherwise. There's plenty of juice around right now, so everybody's real picky, including me.
The vineyards we are talking about here are right across the street from Caymus and just border the Yountville district on Skellenger Lane. The terroir here is extremely complex, making this wine fit for cellar aging for up to 10 to 12 years. Under contract these grapes sell for $4,500 to $5,000 a ton, which, in Napa parlance, translates into $45 to $50 bottles.
