2013 Vineyard 7 & 8 Estate Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate features baked black cherries, warm cassis, preserved plums and potpourri with touches of tilled soil, garrigue, earth and tobacco plus a touch of bacon. Full, very firm and grainy, it's packed with black fruit and savory layers with seamless freshness, finishing long.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Mocha, black cherry, plum, licorice, tobacco, dark chocolate and French oak infuse the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate. This is a decidedly dark, intense, powerful Cabernet Sauvignon. Long elevage in oak (26 months) yields a wine that is surprisingly accessible for the year, but also a bit on the heavy side of things. I would prefer to drink it sooner rather than later. This is a decidedly ripe, unctuous style.
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate from Spring Mountain looks to have slightly sweeter, riper fruit, loads of black raspberry and blueberry notes, with floral underpinnings. It's medium to full-bodied with graphite, good tannin and a full-bodied mouthfeel. This should turn out to be an impressive wine. However, patience is necessary, as this wine should be cellared for 5-6 years and drunk over the following 2-3 decades. Both wines were still in barrel.
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate shows promise, although it is quite oaky and dense today. There is no shortage of depth or intensity here, but the heavy dose of oak has left the wine with slightly astringent tannins. Plum, dark chocolate, espresso and sweet spices are all pushed forward. The 2013 is attractive, but not especially distinctive.