2009 Vineyard 7 & 8 Cabernet Sauvignon PNV
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Tasting notes
Good full medium ruby. Black fruits, licorice and tar on the nose, perked up by pungent herbs. Ripe, lush and spicy; can't match the flagship wine for seamless texture but this boasts more early chocolatey sweetness. Complex saline tones shade to wild sage on the back end, where the broad, building tannins are a bit more rustic than those of the estate wine.
Critic scores
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon 7 comes across as soft, sexy and opulent. Silky tannins frame a core of expressive fruit in this polished, understated wine. This is a relatively understated vintage for the 7. Flowers, spices and dark red fruit are layered into the deep finish.
The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon 7 comes across as soft, sexy and opulent. Silky tannins frame a core of expressive fruit in this polished, understated wine. This is a relatively understated vintage for the 7. Flowers, spices and dark red fruit are layered into the deep finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019, Winemaker Luc Morlet started making the wines at Vineyard 7 & 8 in 2007. There seems to be a clear progression in the quality of the wines since then. Morlet introduced Clone 4 Cabernet Sauvignon, which he likes for its mid-palate sweetness and depth. In 2009 Morlet also eliminated pump-overs and began working with punch-downs exclusively for the Cabernets, all decisions made with the aim of trying to tame some of the Spring Mountain tannin. Based on what I tasted, the Cabernets are much more interesting than the Chardonnays. The Chardonnay 8 is made from a vineyard in Russian River planted with Wente clones, while the Chardonnay Estate is made from old Wente clones planted on Spring Mountain. Both wines are made with native yeasts, natural malolactic fermentations, and are bottled unfined and unfiltered. The Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is made from the older vines on the property, while the 7 is made from younger vines and some purchased fruit from a nearby vineyard. Tel. (707) 963-9425, info@vineyard7and8.com