2003 Venge Cabernet Sauvignon Family Reserve

The flagship offering of the Venge empire, the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Family Reserve (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) was aged in 100% new French oak, and finished at 14.3% natural alcohol. Nils Venge and his son, Kirk, make approximately 300 cases of this limited production cuvee, and it is probably only available from the winery or mailing list. A stunning, extremely young Cabernet Sauvignon, it has 25 years of cellaring ahead of it. Plenty of cassis, graphite and forest floor notes are intermixed with hints of licorice, vanillin and spice box. Full-bodied and rich but painfully young, this 2003 saturates the palate, but is years away from full maturity. Keep in mind that Venge made the first Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that merited a three-digit score from yours truly, the 1985 Groth Reserve. He proved his talents even further in the decade of the 1970s with the great wines from what was at the time the Villa Mt. Eden winery (now called Plumpjack). Nils Venge has had the Midas touch for 40+ years. The brilliant 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Family Reserve should be forgotten for another decade. It should drink well for two decades thereafter. Tel. (707) 942-9100; Fax (707) 942-9121