By: Ryan Tedder
Every time I talk to people about Napa Cab I break them down into 2 styles. An easy vehicle (no pun intended) to use is automobiles. We drank some great vino with Ivan and the crew and the Cabs definitely fell into these camps.
The classic Mercedes cars of the group represent classic wines of higher acid, more earth, more pronounced green notes, lower alcohol and more Bordelais notes. The 1985 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Cabernet was spectacular with loads of iron, cigar wrapper, dried and brandied black cherry, red currant, and dried mint and eucalyptus. There was a meaty component to go with the sweet black fruit and long finish that blossomed with some air. Cedar, graphite and integrated oak spice framed this complex wine that was drinking at its peak. The 1999 Clos du Val Cabernet was another wine of contemplation and it definitely surprised. Leather, dried red fruit, red licorice, spice, gravel and tobacco. This Cab was still pretty would up and was sure to unwind and become more tertiary with time. Both of these wines needed to be contemplated, noticed, thoughtfully drank and appealed to the wine bulls that like to walk down the hill instead of run. Very much the classic Mercedes style of Napa Cab.
For the other Cabs think about National Lampoons Vacation to Wally World with Clark Griswold. The scene with Christie Brinkley in her bright red sports car toying with Clark on the highway. Great Napa Cabs that taste like candy and have no hard edges and pair well with peanut butter remind me of this scene. Especially wines from St. Helena, Oakville, Rutherford and Calistoga. They are the speeding cherry red corvettes with the buxom blonde of the wine world. 2006 Winter Cabernet was impressive for its saturation of purple and black fruits, luxurious mocha, coffee bean, chocolate covered cherry French oak, gobs of yoohoo, fudge, blackberry pie, and new money. Sadly this is one of the last vintages of this great wine. Seek this out and drink! The 2010 Entre Nous Cabernet by Kristine Ashe was tame compared to the Winter but was no less enjoyable. The fruit profile was of saturated cherries, cherry cordial, wild strawberries, roses, raspberry compote, sweet tobacco, and milk chocolate. Seamlessly powerful and coy on the palate-this winery is coming into its own with each successive vintage. Great stuff. Drive fast and take chances kind of wines.