2012 Bella Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon

Interestingly, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Booth-Bella Oaks Vineyard comes across as a bit restrained for the year, with gorgeous balance of ripeness and freshness. The tannins are firm, but also very nicely integrated throughout. There is a lot to like here, that much is obvious. Dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from David Abreu's Thorevilos vineyard fill out the blend, a practice the Staglins will continue until their own replanted parcels in Booth-Bella Oaks start bearing high-quality grapes.

Dark plums, mocha, smoke, tobacco, menthol, violets and cloves all flesh out in the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Booth-Bella Oaks Vineyard. Richer and darker than the flagship Staglin Cabernet Sauvignon, the Bella Oaks is virile, powerful and endowed with stunning depth. The sample I tasted was 100% Cabernet Sauvignon taken exclusively from the southern portion of the vineyard, but the final blend may include blenders, as the Staglin team works towards the style of wine that will emerge from this site once the other grape varieties are in production. Still, the pure Cabernet from Bella Oaks is pretty stunning on its own.

The 2012 Booth Bella Oaks Vineyard possesses a deep purple color in addition to a big, sweet bouquet of licorice, camphor, incense and lots of red and black fruits. A lush, succulent fruit bomb at present, its tannins are barely noticeable given the wine’s extravagant richness. Both of these 2012s will drink exceptionally well young and last for two decades or more. It is good to see the Staglins exploit the well-known Bella Oaks Vineyard made famous by Joe Heitz. www.staglinfamily.com