2003 Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Bright ruby-red. Highly aromatic nose combines black raspberry and chocolate. Then sweet and concentrated but laid-back, with a rocky character to the dark fruit flavors. This, too, is a bit youthfully medicinal but possesses lovely fruit. The tannins are firm. From a well-drained site featuring gravelly loam soil with a lot of rocks. Like the 2003 merlot, this wine seems clearly more successful than the 2002 version.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and full, but structured, tannic, broad, and savory. Opaque purple to the rim, with a big, smoky, earthy nose of melted licorice, creme de cassis, espresso, and chocolate, the wine is huge, dense, and full-bodied, but beautifully balanced. This is classic New World/Napa Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 12-15+ years. Tel. (707) 738-6187