The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (80% Cabernet Sauvignon from a vineyards in Coombsville, 18% Cabernet Franc from the Hudson Vineyard, and the rest Petit Verdot from David Abreu’s Howell Mountain Vineyard) is a deep ruby/purple-colored wine with notes of minerality, boysenberry, mulberry, crushed rock, and foresty loamy soil notes. The wine is medium to full-bodied, tannic, and in need of 2-3 years of cellaring. Aged in 100% new French oak, the oak is still evident, but the fruit and concentration are more than sufficient to balance it out with another 3-4 years of bottle age. It should keep for 15-20 years.
This is an intriguing and provocative operation from wine personality Fritz Hatton, who is also a classical pianist and auctioneer. He has long had a winemaking association with well-known Napa consultant Andy Erickson.
Tel. (707) 963-5918; fax (707) 963-5919