2008 Behrens Family Cabernet Sauvignon The Cemetery

The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Cemetery, from a well-known parcel of vines planted near a graveyard (with a portrait on the label that resembles me after two weeks of 12-14 hour days spent tasting), exhibits a deep ruby/purple color along with classic aromas of creme de cassis intermixed with floral undertones. With sweet fruit as well as impressive balance, this is a wine of considerable flavor authority, integrity and richness. Given its forward, precocious style, it should drink well for 10-15 years. Les and Lisa Behrens are two of my favorite people in Napa Valley for the simple reason that they love wine and make gorgeously delicious wines with a fun approach that is reflected in their creative labels. They had issues with some of the synthetic corks they used early on, but they are now back to true corks and are, hopefully, on the road to even greater success and good fortune. All their wines now appear under the label Erna Schein. Les and Lisa are like truffle dogs in terms of sniffing out somewhat underrated top sites for Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Early on they discovered many vineyards that were later swiped away by people with more money. However, the Behrens still have a loaded deck of Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. If you haven’t yet discovered these wines, it’s about time you do. If there is a future in the wine world for real people, Lisa and Les Behrens have to succeed. Tel. (707) 963-1774; www.ernaschein.com