2012 Lancaster Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
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Tasting notes
The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, which is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, is their biggest cuvée of 3,640 cases. It is scheduled for bottling in January of 2015. Hints of graphite, black raspberry and blackcurrant fruit with some licorice, loamy soil, vanilla and spice box are all present in this medium to full-bodied wine. It’s full-bodied and relatively opulent with a nice tannic structure in the background. This should drink well for 15-20 years.
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Robert Parker
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
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Barrel sample. Jesse Katz is the 'hot new winemaker' (according to Alder Yarrow). Border of Knights Valley and Chalk Hill. Cool rolling hills with volcanic ash soils. Bought by Ted Simpkins (running Southern Wine and Spirits) in early 1990s. 120 acres, 53 planted with Bordeaux varieties. This is their flagship wine and includes 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot co-fermented with part of the Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc and 12% Malbec. 36 different picking times. Dark volcanic grey ash. Very little organic material. Small vines and small yields: average is 2-2.5 t/acre though they had 3 t/acre in 2012. All hand harvested, coolish ferment. Aiming for texture. Cold soak, 72-75 ºF ferment and then warmed at the end. It will spend a total of 2 years in 100% French oak, 70% new. Unfiltered. Deeply coloured with soft crimson rim. Attractive slightly leafy freshness on the nose, some graphite. Elegantly, almost austerely, tannic. Dry but mouth-cleansing finish. Very savoury, almost sour at this young stage. (JH)