Terrace Select Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2 1/2 hour decant and still shows semi-resolved, round, meaty tannins. I can only imagine how big this wine was at release.

Silly, silly. Dark chocolate cooking bar, smooth expresso, sweet tarriness, anise-black licorice, mocha, caramel, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, dark, resolved spice, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum & very, dark cherries. Fresh & candied, lavender, violets round acidity, balance, nice tension, structure, well knitted and really well polished lush, finish that lasts 90 seconds.

Yes, there are Sonoma Cabernet producers that stand right in there w/ Napa. This is certainly one.

Such an under known and under respected producer. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, brilliant raspberries, dark cherries, purple fruits, dark chocolate, caramel spice, lavender, violets, perfect acidity, perfect; tension, structure, balance and amazing, integration & evolution on the finish for two-minutes.

2nd pair with the Olive Oil Poached Rack of Lamb, White Bean Purée, Spring Vegetables.
@plateandbottle

Popped and poured. The 2000 A. Rafanelli Cabernet Sauvignon Terrace Select presents a deep ruby color with an opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. Signs of significant of sediment made obvious by what looks like top soil that catches the side of the glass with every swirl before it settles to the bottom. On the nose, the wine is intense. Vinous. Powerful notes of dark fruit: cassis, blackberries, and black cherry with huge amounts of tobacco, bell pepper, cedar box, leather and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium acid. Everything is well integrated at this point. Alcohol comes across medium+. The texture is absolutely luxurious and the finish goes on for minutes. These are ready to drink yet, they have plenty left in the tank if you’re not in a particular hurry. I just don’t see it giving more down the road from here. Drink now or enjoy through 2030.

10’ Rafanelli "Terrace Select" The best vines/barrels from the Vineyard. Known more for their exceptional Zinfandel. This wine is no slouch in their collection. Aged 3 years in new French oak . Raspberry pie, blackberries, iron. Medium +bodied. Crowd pleaser for sure. Drinking window is now. Without  question some of the finest Cabernet grown in the county.

Covid19 special wine for dining in. This well-made 2005 has evolved perfectly... balanced tannins and oak, cassis, still plenty of fruit. Depending on how prefer your Cabernet, could use 2-4 year more in bottle for further tertiary flavor development.

Some of the best stuff coming out of Sonoma. This Cab rocks. Drink them up soon!

Delicious notes of earth and chocolate, with good fruit. Great with red meat. .

09’ So much better then it was two years ago. Blown away the difference two years makes.

Decanted for over an hour . Slightly off balanced wine. Bold oak, black raspberry, a smattering of chocolate . The middle and back palate showing nicely. Slightly disappointed compared to past vintages.