2011 Casarena Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
(includes a substantial percentage of 82-year-old vines): Good red-ruby. Currant, licorice and bitter chocolate on the rather brooding nose; less fruity than the malbec. Then densely packed and lightly saline, and distinctly forthcoming today. Offers less lift at present than the 2012 Malbec 505 but more extract. Chewy, building tannins call for a couple years of patience.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon is from Agrelo in Lujan de Cuyo and is vinified the same as the Malbec. It is a little muted when compared to the 2011 Malbec. However, the palate is fresh and lively. This Cabernet shows good substance without succumbing to excessive tannins or becoming overbearing. The finish is classic Cabernet, with solid mulberry and dark berry fruit laced with cedar, demonstrating both length and focus. Drink now-2016. I found my visit to Casarena stimulating, in the sense that they are patently dedicated to uncovering Mendoza through fastidious massal selection and pin-pointing specific terroirs. As I related to them at the time, I wished that would reflect upon the amount of new oak used on their top wines, and not be afraid to allow their nuances to show through, unimpeded by excessive wood. Before I broach those wines, let us begin with their entry-level range, which offers excellent value. Importer: Southern Starz, Huntington Beach, CA; tel. (866) 57-STARZ