2008 J Daniel Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
Dark saturated ruby. The nose conveys a wider range of ripeness than the '07, combining medicinal dark fruits and menthol, a slightly roasted chocolatey quality and dried herbs. Then surprisingly creamy in the mouth, with nicely integrated acidity contributing to the wine's seamless texture. Not yet hugely complex or in total harmony but impresses with its sensation of strong extract and underlying minerality. Has plenty of buffering material to support its building tannins. This big wine is just at the beginning of its plane of peak drinkability. (16.2% alcohol; 100% new oak)
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(15.4% alcohol on the label but actually 14.8%): Bright, dark ruby. Vibrant scents of cassis, crushed rock, licorice and menthol. Plush and broad on entry, then concentrated and fine-grained in the middle, conveying a restrained sweetness and lovely violet and mineral lift to its lively black fruit flavors. A saline nuance adds complexity to this tactile wine. Finishes ripely tannic and very long, with terrific mineral lift. A superb showing, but there's no rush to uncork this: it should be even better a few years from now and last splendidly.
(100% cabernet sauvignon): Full ruby-red. Pungent aromas of black cherry, blueberry, minerals, mocha and menthol, lifted by a violet topnote. Fairly large-scaled for this bottling but with lovely balance and precision, not to mention considerable sex appeal. The rising, floral finish features broad, suave tannins and excellent persistence. A terrific showing.
The flagship red is the J. Daniel Cuvee, and the 2008 is a blend of fruit from three sources, one in Calistoga, one in Yountville and one the estate vineyards on Howell Mountain. It is a 675-case, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 18 months in French oak. Its dense plum/purple color is followed by aromas of cocoa, espresso, white chocolate, black currant and sweet blackberries. Medium to full-bodied, more restrained and not as compelling as the gorgeous 2007, it is, nevertheless, an outstanding wine that is capable of lasting 15 or more years. Proprietors John and Robin Lail are among an increasing number of Napa Valley producers making two hierarchies of wines, a less expensive cuvee based on purchased fruit and their flagship offerings that are usually made from estate-owned vineyards. The objective of these programs is to give consumers and restaurants less expensive wines without sacrificing quality. Lail’s value priced offerings are sold under the Blueprint label. Tel. (707) 968-9900