Estate Collateral Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

My wife Sofia brought this on a birthday weekend in Napa for me. We hoped it would be something close to their 03 Premiere Napa Valley bottling I bought 8-10 bottles. @Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7 bought the rest and I sold one to @Shay A. They were amazing.

This needs more time in the cellar to be more like the 03 PNV, but it is a ripe, ruby, lush Napa Cabernet. Right now, this is very classic Napa Cabernet. Better things are ahead in another 7-10 yrs.

The nose shows; brambly dark cassis, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum to pudding, black cherries, poached to baked strawberries & a frame of raspberries, mid berry cola, black licorice, dark spices, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon powder to stick, vanillin, moist, grey volcanic clay, dark, rich forest floor w/ dry leaves, dry twig, dark chocolate bar, herbaceous notes, some graphite, soft leather/fresh tobacco, dry crushed rocks, fresh to slightly candied; dark, red flowers w/ violets.

The palate is a bit of Cabernet candy. It is, ruby, rich & lush. brambly, dark core of cassis, blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, black cherries, poached to baked strawberries & a frame of raspberries, mid berry cola, black licorice, sweet tarriness, dark spices w/ heat, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon powder to stick, vanillin, moist, grey volcanic clay, dark, rich forest floor w/ dry leaves, dry twig, graphite, charcoal, dark chocolate to pudding, herbaceous notes, some graphite, soft leather/fresh tobacco, dry top soils/crushed rocks, fresh to slightly candied; dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets/lavender, grand, rainfall acidity, balance for days, well knitted-structured-woven, elegant finish that goes on for minutes and long sets on clays, spice and dry twigs.

Add a point or two in 5-8 yrs.

Many of you that read my notes know I am not a fan of young Cabernet. However, this is special stuff and drinking nicely tonight. As well as it drinks, it not complex...yet! When its 10-15 years old, it had superstar potential. It’s ruby, gorgeous fruits of cassis. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, loads of baking spices, spice, leather, velvety strong tannins, dry crushed rocks, graphite, dry crushed rocks and lavender and violets for days. A really big finish but it’s elegant, rich and very long. Thanks to @Jason Oliver for bringing this wine.

Livermore day part 3 with @David T . dinner wines at wente restaurant! Amazing mix of wines. Aged bordeaux, champagne, pinot, rhone, sqn, napa cab! The collateral was much more approachable than i expected for the producer. I almost didnt want to bring it because i thought it was going to be a tannic monster. Boy was i surprised. The '81 langoa barton bordeaux David brought was delightful. I paired that with dinner. I know the assistant wine maker really appreciated that and launois champagne. What a great value for that Sparkling. '13 bevan mcgah and '14 collateral were my girlfriend's favorites. I preferred the '13 bevan mcgah over the '12. The sqn stock was interesting, but not in my upper half. The janzen missouri hopper had such a great mix of richness, acidity, and complexity. It was a wine that could please the whole spectrum of palates. Bevan and the 12c G3 reserve had the biggest fruit and were just so delicious and opulent. The hunnicutt cuvee equite is a stellar value. Again, i prefer that right bank blend to many cabs under 100 bucks. So many fantastic wines.