The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Lafoa is superb. This deeply-colored wine is endowed with notable concentration as it sweeps across the palate with masses of dark fruit, spices, tobacco and wild herbs. Despite its age, it remains a strapping, primary Cabernet with significant potential for development in bottle. There is terrific balance, and the wine has none of the hard edges or excessive herbaceousness that often characterize reds from this northerly region. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2013.
The Colterenzio line-up was among the most consistently impressive I tasted this year. The value-priced wines are reviewed in Issue 178.
Importers: Empire Merchants, LLC, New York, NY; tel. (800) 338-3880 ; Giuliana Imports, Boulder, CO; tel. (303) 449-5477; Grappoli Imports, Ltd, Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 519-2155; Grassroots Wine Wholesalers, LLC; Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 250-9060; Haw River Wine Man, Inc., Haw River, NC; wineworm@earthlink.net; Horizon Wines, Inc.; Houston, TX; tel. (713) 413-9463; Ideal Wine and Spirit Company Inc., Medford, MA; tel. (781) 395-3300; International Wines, Inc.; Birmingham,Al; tel. (205) 945-7101; Premiere Beverage, South Florida, FL; tel. (954) 266-2227; Villa Italia Imports, South San Francisco, CA; tel. (650) 873-6060; Vintage Wines, Ltd, Wood Dale, IL; tel. (773) 254-8200