A. Rafanelli
Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
Brought from my cellar to a friends house and paired with our dinner of burgers and bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin. Popped and poured; consumed within about 90 minutes. The 2017 Rafanelli Cabernet Sauvignon pours a deep ruby color with a translucent, but near opaque core and only a small sign of sediment. Viscosity is medium+ and there is moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is intense: expressive of cassis, black and red bramble fruit, tobacco, green pepper, baking spices, espresso, and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry and there is pretty significant structure, which I would place at medium+. The fruits and non-fruits are confirmed. Finish is long and comforting; like a warm blanket on a cool night. To my palate, the 2017 Cabernet is just entering its early drinking window. It's showing really well on the pop and pour with everything in deft balance. It's worth noting that this was consumed after enjoying a bottle of Christopher Tynan's "L'Enclume de Velours" and while that is a very nice wine in its own right, the Rafanelli really showed its pedigree. These should drink well over the next 10-15 years.
Brought from my cellar to a friends house and paired with our dinner of burgers and bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin. Popped and poured; consumed within about 90 minutes. The 2017 Rafanelli Cabernet Sauvignon pours a deep ruby color with a translucent, but near opaque core and only a small sign of sediment. Viscosity is medium+ and there is moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is intense: expressive of cassis, black and red bramble fruit, tobacco, green pepper, baking spices, espresso, and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry and there is pretty significant structure, which I would place at medium+. The fruits and non-fruits are confirmed. Finish is long and comforting; like a warm blanket on a cool night. To my palate, the 2017 Cabernet is just entering its early drinking window. It's showing really well on the pop and pour with everything in deft balance. It's worth noting that this was consumed after enjoying a bottle of Christopher Tynan's "L'Enclume de Velours" and while that is a very nice wine in its own right, the Rafanelli really showed its pedigree. These should drink well over the next 10-15 years.
Mar 27th, 2023
Inky purple nearly opaque in the glass. Subdued nose even after an hour opened. Rich voluminous expansive mouth feel. Supple tannins. Can’t wait to enjoy with butter basted ribeye! Drink@or hold
Inky purple nearly opaque in the glass. Subdued nose even after an hour opened. Rich voluminous expansive mouth feel. Supple tannins. Can’t wait to enjoy with butter basted ribeye! Drink@or hold
Jun 7th, 2024
The Cabernet that A Rafanelli produces each year defines a very nice Cabernet at a consistently reasonable price point.
The Cabernet that A Rafanelli produces each year defines a very nice Cabernet at a consistently reasonable price point.
Aug 13th, 2023Never disappoints me.
Nice Cabernet at a great price point.
Never disappoints me.
Nice Cabernet at a great price point.
An exquisite and elegant red. Slight fruit balanced with bell pepper diluted but holds up with meat. So good.
An exquisite and elegant red. Slight fruit balanced with bell pepper diluted but holds up with meat. So good.
Feb 15th, 2021Consistently a nice Cabernet at an affordable price.
Consistently a nice Cabernet at an affordable price.
Jul 6th, 2020Medium tannins, dark red full bodied Cabernet to pair with lamb chops.
Medium tannins, dark red full bodied Cabernet to pair with lamb chops.
Feb 21st, 2021