2008 Moone-Tsai Cabernet Sauvignon Cor Leonis
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(14.5% alcohol): Bright ruby-red. Deep aromas of dark plum, cassis, blueberry, dark chocolate and licorice, complicated by hints of menthol and earth. Fine-grained and rather elegantly styled, showing an intriguing sweet-savory quality to its dark berry, mint and bitter chocolate flavors. A fairly supple, even slightly plump style, with ripe, chocolatey tannins and a firm-edged finish. Nicely balanced and suave, and delicious right now.
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Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Cor Leonis bursts from the glass with a rush of dark red fruit, licorice and spices. Expressive aromatics are woven throughout, adding elements of lift. Silky, finessed tannins frame the finish. The 2008 was made from vineyards in Soda Canyon and Coombsville.
The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Cor Leonis bursts from the glass with a rush of dark red fruit, licorice and spices. Expressive aromatics are woven throughout, adding elements of lift. Silky, finessed tannins frame the finish. The 2008 was made from vineyards in Soda Canyon and Coombsville. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2025. This is an interesting set of wines from industry veterans Mike Moone and Mary Ann Tsai. Philippe Melka is the winemaker. I tasted three vintages of the Cabernet Sauvignon. As good as the wines are, the changing vineyard sources from year to year means there is not a whole lot of stylistic continuity. Hopefully that will come with time. Tel. (707) 265-6782
Bright ruby. Wild aromas of redcurrant, licorice and caraway seed. Dense, broad, sweet and impressively deep, with terrific flavor intensity and a compellingly lush texture. Even showier today on the building, very long finish, which features suave tannins and a lingering note of bitter chocolate. In a richer style than the more claret-like basic cabernet. These 2008s were bottled in February of this year, or just a month prior to my visit. Incidentally, Moone-Tsai has just taken over the old Luna winery; the Luna sangiovese and pinot grigio will continue to be produced in a facility in south Napa.