By: AJ McClellan
Yesterday was an unexpected day. It all started as a typical Tuesday… put together an offer; sell some wine, blah blah blah… Then in walks Andre Boada, the VP brand manager of Capture wines, and he plops down a lineup of 2009 California wines on our table telling us that this wine is a must try. At first, I am intrigued for the simple reason that I had not heard of the wines before, as it turns out that is because the 2009 is the first vintage that they bottled their reds…
As I taste through the lineup, I am more and more impressed by the wines. They are elegant, complex, and seductive in their own way. This is what California should be about, not overpowering fruit and an alcohol burn that would put a shot of whisky to shame. After speaking with Andre in more depth the name Denis Malbec comes out, third generation winemaker for Chateau Latour, and all the pieces start to fall together. Denis, who made the wine in Chateau Latour from 1994 – 1999, had packed up his bags and moved to California to pressure a winemaking venture of his own, and that venture was Capture.
2010 Capture Sauvignon Blanc – This was a great bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. I was very impressed with the balance of the fruit and acidity in this wine. There was a touch of minerality that brought out the tropical fruits on the back end.
2009 Capture Chardonnay – Of the Capture line up I was least impressed with this wine. The Chard was over oaked and slightly flabby on the palate. If you like super oaky wines with classic chard characteristics then this is a great bottle for you…
2009 Capture Alliance – Now we are talking. The Alliance is comprised of 77% Cabernet with 12% Merlot and a touch of PV and Cab F. The wine was soft on the palate and if tasting blind, you would never call it young. There were subtle notes of black cherries, plum, Bing cherry, liquorish, and chocolate on the nose. The palate was elegant and perfectly in balance with a long finish.
2009 Capture Harmonie – Captures tribute to the left bank with a blend of 51% Merlot, 43% Cab S and a dash of Cab F and PV for spice. The wine was a dead ringer for Pomerol with soft blue fruits on the nose and notes of forest floor, apple pie, and soft velvety plums on the palate.
2009 Capture Revelation – This was the big dog of the bunch with 84% Cab S the wine was big in the mouth but still showing restrained tannins. It was refreshing to have such well made wines that were not kicking you in the teeth at every sip.