1994 Staglin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

The 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon Staglin Vineyard is the most backward of the current offerings. This wine displays all the potential to be superb - natural texture, great ripeness, impeccable purity, full body, and layers of blueberry and cassis fruit. However, the tannin is more pronounced, thus this is a wine to lay away for 5-6 years, and drink over the following 10-15. Except for the Trinity County Cabernet Sauvignon, the differences between Behrens and Hitchcock's Cabernet Sauvignon cuvees are negligible. In fact, the wines could be blended together with no loss of character (I actually did such a blending). Nevertheless, I would be happy to own any of these wines. If Behrens and Hitchcock want to continue to offer small quantities of each cuvee, so be it ... they are superb Cabernets. Who are these people? As of August, 1997, this winery ranks as the discovery of the year. All of the wines reviewed in this segment, unfiltered and unfined, are made in limited quantities of 100-200 case lots, but geez, what amazing concentration, character, and potential these offerings from two guys named Behrens and Hitchcock offer. The striking blueberry fruit character of the Cabernet Sauvignons resembles the nearly perfect wines crafted by Helen Turley for Colgin and Bryant Family Vineyards. Tel. 707-963-1774; Fax 707-963-8206