15 March, 2011

Wine review: Terlato 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District Napa Valley


In case you have not heard the 2007 vintage of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons has produced wines of stellar quality. The weather offered perfect growing conditions ,all over the state of California, but especially in Napa Valley. Mild summer, with few heat spikes, and cool evenings. The wines are balanced yet voluptuous with good tannic structure, lower than usual alcohol levels, and decent acidity levels. The Brix Chicks got lucky and were able to taste a luscious bottle of Cab from Terlato Family Vineyards (given to us as a sample.) Here are our thoughts:

2007 Terlato Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District Napa Valley, 14.2% alcohol, cork enclosure.

Dark garnet almost purple core with a clear rim. The nose tempts with aromas of berry, brown sugar, cigar box, steak sauce, sage and eucolyptus. The voluptuous mouthfeel is flavored with vanilla, berries and cassis. I love the balance of this wine and it has just enough fruit. Defintely not a fruit bomb or an oak bomb (thank God.) And the linger fills your palate with chocolate and berry. Have it with food or don't. As honorary Brix Chick Marina stated: "I can sip it without feeling like I need food with it." But I have to say that it is a natural chocolate wine and we enjoyed it with a flourless chocolate cake. As Liza said, this wine is jailbait! It is lucsious and makes you want more. If you have a codependent type of personality you may not want to drink this as you may become addicted. Just sayin'!