Kamen Estate Wines
Moon Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma County, California, USA
Can’t believe the 2015s almost have 8yrs on them! The 2013 I had in 2021 (with 8yrs) showed a more dense, dark and powerful profile compared to this, but both were incredibly enjoyable. Removed the cork and then consumed from bottle an hour later.
The profile here showed a touch more red fruit than than the 2013. Deep red, small tinge of purple in the glass. Not sure if some Merlot made its presence known here, but there was an elegant vibe. Pretty aromatics of mixed berries, potpurri, espresso. Definitely a savory/mineral streak (graphite) showing up on the palate. Lush and balanced and in no way flabby or overly tannic. More dark fruit (cassis, roasted blackberries) appeared toward the finish. Fantastic Sonoma Cabernet.
Can’t believe the 2015s almost have 8yrs on them! The 2013 I had in 2021 (with 8yrs) showed a more dense, dark and powerful profile compared to this, but both were incredibly enjoyable. Removed the cork and then consumed from bottle an hour later.
The profile here showed a touch more red fruit than than the 2013. Deep red, small tinge of purple in the glass. Not sure if some Merlot made its presence known here, but there was an elegant vibe. Pretty aromatics of mixed berries, potpurri, espresso. Definitely a savory/mineral streak (graphite) showing up on the palate. Lush and balanced and in no way flabby or overly tannic. More dark fruit (cassis, roasted blackberries) appeared toward the finish. Fantastic Sonoma Cabernet.
I’m between a 94-95 here. Not sure why I don’t buy more of these, especially at the price. Wow.
I poured this in a decanter upon opening, but it actually was quite nice at pop…then changed an hour later, and after corking to finish the remaining third later in the evening, it was even more of a beast. Bit of a chameleon, this one, in regards to its approachability. 100% cab. Dark royal purple in the glass. Aromatically it sports a lot of graphite, blackberries, black currant, mulberries, and espresso. Structure here is compact and big in style, but it’s so beautifully integrated. Palate shows the same type of dusty/graphite influence alongside the darker berry profile, with dark cocoa, and a streak of black cherry and mineral at the core that gives it some spice and lift. Good to open today if you can give it a 1-2hr decant, but easily cruises for the next few years.
This was poured alongside a 2013 Hidden Ridge 55degree slope and the 2014 Immortal (formerly Hidden Ridge). Since all three sported a good bit of Sonoma fruit, it was a cool experiment. The Kamen seemed the most balanced and structured, whereas the 2014 Immortal was the most extracted and over the top. The 2013 HR was in the middle.
I’m between a 94-95 here. Not sure why I don’t buy more of these, especially at the price. Wow.
I poured this in a decanter upon opening, but it actually was quite nice at pop…then changed an hour later, and after corking to finish the remaining third later in the evening, it was even more of a beast. Bit of a chameleon, this one, in regards to its approachability. 100% cab. Dark royal purple in the glass. Aromatically it sports a lot of graphite, blackberries, black currant, mulberries, and espresso. Structure here is compact and big in style, but it’s so beautifully integrated. Palate shows the same type of dusty/graphite influence alongside the darker berry profile, with dark cocoa, and a streak of black cherry and mineral at the core that gives it some spice and lift. Good to open today if you can give it a 1-2hr decant, but easily cruises for the next few years.
This was poured alongside a 2013 Hidden Ridge 55degree slope and the 2014 Immortal (formerly Hidden Ridge). Since all three sported a good bit of Sonoma fruit, it was a cool experiment. The Kamen seemed the most balanced and structured, whereas the 2014 Immortal was the most extracted and over the top. The 2013 HR was in the middle.
Wowsers. Rich, exotic, powerful. It's an intense, full bodied wine that has a textural finesse. Looking forward to trying this again sometime.
Wowsers. Rich, exotic, powerful. It's an intense, full bodied wine that has a textural finesse. Looking forward to trying this again sometime.
Dec 6th, 2020
So definitely Sonoma with a Napa flair for the extravagant. Up there with verite in my opinion. Excellent
So definitely Sonoma with a Napa flair for the extravagant. Up there with verite in my opinion. Excellent
Jan 14th, 2020Like drinking chocolate sauce but better
Like drinking chocolate sauce but better
Jul 21st, 2019
Smooth Cab, lots of extraction and front of mouth grape tannins. Vanilla, blackberry pie, violets, and black cherry. A keeper for sure.
Smooth Cab, lots of extraction and front of mouth grape tannins. Vanilla, blackberry pie, violets, and black cherry. A keeper for sure.
Mar 10th, 2017
Interestingly more angular and spiky than the 12 but also more complexity. Only been in the bottle for a month. Should be really interesting upon release.
Interestingly more angular and spiky than the 12 but also more complexity. Only been in the bottle for a month. Should be really interesting upon release.
Jul 14th, 2015Spicy tobacco nose. Darkness. Bold dark fruit. Tension structure balance. Tasted with Christophe Tassan, Mark Herold, Robert Kamen and @Philip Coturri #moonmountaindistrict
Spicy tobacco nose. Darkness. Bold dark fruit. Tension structure balance. Tasted with Christophe Tassan, Mark Herold, Robert Kamen and @Philip Coturri #moonmountaindistrict
Jul 14th, 2015
Purchased while visiting the tasting room in August 2023. Enjoyed NYE 2023 to 2024.
Purchased while visiting the tasting room in August 2023. Enjoyed NYE 2023 to 2024.
Jan 1st, 2024