2009 Antica Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon comes across as a bit more reticent and inward next to the superb 2008, but it, too, is a gorgeous wine. Dark red fruit, licorice, smoke and tar are some of the nuances that flow from this layered, gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2009 was bottled just two months ago. It will almost certainly be even better in a few years' time. A mid-weight, gracious wine, the 2009 should drink well to age 20 or so. In 2009 the blend includes 1.5% Petit Verdot.

The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon comes across as a bit more reticent and inward next to the superb 2008, but it, too, is a gorgeous wine. Dark red fruit, licorice, smoke and tar are some of the nuances that flow from this layered, gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2009 was bottled just two months ago. It will almost certainly be even better in a few years’ time. A mid-weight, gracious wine, the 2009 should drink well to age 20 or so. In 2009 the blend includes 1.5% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2029. I was deeply impressed with the wines I tasted from Antica, the Antinori family’s outpost on Atlas Peak. Even though Antinori has been involved with this property since the late 1980s, these are essentially the first wines the family has made in its own facility. The Chardonnay is aged in 30-33% new barrels, sees batonnage for the first three months and undergoes partial malolactic fermentation. The Cabernet Sauvignon is aged in 55-65% new oak, while the single-vineyard Cabernet from the Townsend vineyard sees 80% new barrels. Incidentally, for readers who can find them, both 2008 Cabernets are terrific. Tel. (707) 265-7651, www.anticanapavalley.com