Trujillo
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvigon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby with a magenta rim with very slight rim variation. Viscosity is medium+ with fairly significant staining of the tears and no signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of plums, brambles, purple flowers, cocoa, vanilla, stoney minerals and some warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, soft and comforting. Alcohol is also medium+. A cozy, warm blanket of a wine.
Based off the deep staining alone, I eliminated everything thin-skinned which left me with Syrah (and associated GSM blends), Malbec, Merlot and/or a blend with associated Bordeaux varieties) and Tempranillo. It wasn’t purple enough for Malbec so I eliminated that. It didn’t have enough Spanish sensibilities so I eliminated Tempranillo as well. There wasn’t enough evidence of rotundone so I axed Syrah which left me with Merlot (Bordeaux varieties). Despite the firm structure, the fruit was just too generous for me to place it in the Old World. So I called 2017 Merlot from Napa Valley. Close! FWIW, this pour came from a half-bottle.
Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby with a magenta rim with very slight rim variation. Viscosity is medium+ with fairly significant staining of the tears and no signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of plums, brambles, purple flowers, cocoa, vanilla, stoney minerals and some warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, soft and comforting. Alcohol is also medium+. A cozy, warm blanket of a wine.
Based off the deep staining alone, I eliminated everything thin-skinned which left me with Syrah (and associated GSM blends), Malbec, Merlot and/or a blend with associated Bordeaux varieties) and Tempranillo. It wasn’t purple enough for Malbec so I eliminated that. It didn’t have enough Spanish sensibilities so I eliminated Tempranillo as well. There wasn’t enough evidence of rotundone so I axed Syrah which left me with Merlot (Bordeaux varieties). Despite the firm structure, the fruit was just too generous for me to place it in the Old World. So I called 2017 Merlot from Napa Valley. Close! FWIW, this pour came from a half-bottle.
Young but great... Nice smoked cherry flavor. Good with meats.
Young but great... Nice smoked cherry flavor. Good with meats.
1 person found it helpfulJul 18th, 2015
538 Cases = 6456 Bottles, this one is really great.
538 Cases = 6456 Bottles, this one is really great.
Aug 2nd, 2023
Best cab we’ve had in a long time. Got it for $49 at OVW.
Best cab we’ve had in a long time. Got it for $49 at OVW.
Mar 13th, 2022
Wonderful wine for a steak anniversary dinner ($80 purchased in 2017). Floral nose and smooth rich flavor.
Wonderful wine for a steak anniversary dinner ($80 purchased in 2017). Floral nose and smooth rich flavor.
Jan 18th, 2021
Berries, very soft tannins, delightful.
Berries, very soft tannins, delightful.
Dec 29th, 2020
A lovely Cali can. Big bold and fruity. But well balanced with a long finish.
A lovely Cali can. Big bold and fruity. But well balanced with a long finish.
May 11th, 2020Amazing nose of spice and oak. Deep cherry on palette with chalky tannins. Might try with lamb.
Young, would be even better in another year or two. Although after it opened up smoother with notes of blackberry and toasted almond.
Amazing nose of spice and oak. Deep cherry on palette with chalky tannins. Might try with lamb.
Young, would be even better in another year or two. Although after it opened up smoother with notes of blackberry and toasted almond.