2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Performing better than ever, Seavey’s 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon (98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot) was made by French winemaking consultant, Philippe Melka. This cuvee comes from dry farmed vineyards tucked on the hillsides of Conn Valley, behind the famous Meadowood Resort. This vineyard’s history goes back to the 1870s. The 2002 was tight and tannic when first released (not unusual for young Seavey Cabernet Sauvignons), but it has sweetened up beautifully. The color remains an opaque, murky plum/garnet/purple and the bouquet reveals notes of volcanic scorched earth, melted chocolate, licorice and a jus de viande smell (or is it bouquet garni?). Full-bodied and rich with tell-tale cassis, blackberries, plums and foresty notes, this massive, masculine wine is built for those with cold cellars and long lifelines. Forget it for another 5-10 years and drink it over the following 25. It is no doubt a 50-year wine. Tel. (707) 963-8339; Fax (707) 963-0232

Medium ruby. Aromas of roasted plum and currant, with notes of butter and caramel. Sweet, lush and large-scaled if a bit unrefined. Shows some distinctly roasted notes that may come from some dehydrated merlo t. Finishes with big, somewhat aggressive tannins that show a bit of dryness. Winemaker Philippe Melka fined the wine prior to bottling.

Deep ruby-red. Superripe aromas of cassis, black plum, chocolate, mint and shoe polish; quite primary and less flamboyant than the 2001. Lush and sweet on entry, then cooler in the middle, with cassis and plum fruit complicated by minerals and tobacco leaf. Rather tannic and a bit rough, in the style of many 2002s. This may well be refined during its last months of barrel aging.