2010 Mark Herold Cabernet Sauvignon Brown Label

The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Herold, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon largely from the Stagecoach Vineyard in Coombsville, is a spectacular effort. It boasts copious notes of licorice, charcoal, burning embers, graphite, blackberries and cassis in a full-bodied, full throttle, pedal-to-the-metal, muscular, intense personality. The tannins are soft and the wine is rich as well as convincing. Drink it over the next 12-15 years. Mark Herold, a well-known consultant, first came to my attention because of the brilliant wines he produced under the name Merus, a brand that has been sold. He now fashions a line-up of interesting and off-beat, hip wines that are priced realistically for as good as they are. His selections called Flux, Acha and Collide are usually blends ranging from white Rhone varietals to red Rhone and Spanish varietals. At the top of the line are his flagship Cabernet Sauvignons called Herold and Herold by Mark Herold. The red wines include three vintages of the Flux, all basically 67-68% Grenache, 15-20% Carignan and the rest Petite Sirah in the case of the 2009, Syrah in the 2010, and Mourvedre in the 2011. Herold produces 1,200-2,000 cases of these cuvees, and at $30 a bottle, they are well-worth checking out. Mark Herold’s homage to Spain are his three vintages of Acha, which is made primarily from Tempranillo. At $40 a bottle, these are very good wines. The three vintages of Collide also bear a California appellation, but their blends differ dramatically in each vintage. Tel. (707) 256-3111

The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Herold displays exotic, cool weather notes in its aromas, flavors and overall structure. Layers of expressive, perfumed fruit are balanced by the wine’s pure energy and vibrancy. Hints of mocha, graphite and incense are layered into the striking finish. This isn’t a huge wine by California standards, but it sure is beautiful.