Elivette Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

I sort of forgot that today marked the 50th anniversary of the Judgement of Paris and this was the best I could do to celebrate in the moment; a wine from a participating producer but in the red category, instead of white. From magnum, the 2010 “Elivette” pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and significant sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of black currants, blackberries, Fresno chili, dried purple flowers, purple SweeTarts, tobacco, some dried herbs and fine spices with minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ viscosity and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes form the nose. The finish is long with ferrous minerals. Tasty stuff. Drink now with some patience and through 2040. Bottle No. 095/900 magnums.

Poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over the course of 90min. The 2005 pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of black currants, brambles, tobacco, poblano pepper, leather, organic earth, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Killer stuff. Drink now through 2040.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Fairly consistent throughout. The 2004 pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and slightly desiccated, black and red fruits: black currants, blackberries, black cherry, tobacco, Poblano pepper, pencil shavings, purple flowers, dry rocky earth, a touch of leather, and a combination of cool and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (that is well integrated), and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly savory. Showing really well and squarely in the zone. Drink now through 2034.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of days. Solid on Day 1 but even better on Day 2. The 2011 “Elivette” pours a deep garnet/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black fruits: cassis, blackberries, black cherry, purple flowers, tobacco, Poblano pepper, cocoa and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Yet another example of the 2011 vintage in Napa proving it’s better than originally advertised. This still has a long life ahead. Drink now through 2041. Bottle No. 12026

Keystone

A few fun 4th Friday wines from tonight.

I’ll be honest...this was very similar to the ‘09 Gruaud Larosse it shared the table with. Nice compliment. These Elivette’s have so much structure and can age for a good while, and while I’m sure this vintage is no different, it seemed much more approachable at a young age than previous vintages. Aromatically it shows potpourri, brambly fruits, some fig, and only a hint of leather. Dark core that is fairly soft, with blue and black fruits, pencil shavings, baked plum, dark chocolate and a very lengthy finish. Lots to like here.

A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc & 5% Merlot, aged for 22 Months in new French oak. Deep Ruby with pronounced aromas of red and black fruits and notes of oak, rich cacao, spice with earthy mineral. On the palate flavors of blackberry, raspberry and ripe fig with some leather, tobacco, pepper and nutty earthy tones. Fine developed chewy tannins, good structure, long finish, ready to drink, has nicely developed tertiary flavors and aromas with great mouthfeel ending with earthy fruit character. Wonderful! Outstanding! Tasting Sample.

A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot & 1% Malbec, aged for 22 Months in new French oak, 1,960 cases made. Deep Ruby with developing aromas of black berry fruits, sweet spice and notes of blossom and oak. On the palate pronounced flavors of blackberry, black cherry and black plum, almost jammy, some sweet spice and cacao notes. Fine structured soft tannins, well integrated, long finish, ending with fresh fruit character, just starting to add some leather, nutty notes and oak. Outstanding, drinking well, beginning starting to develop some bottle age, but has a decade to go! Tasting Sample.

Rich ripe fruit sliding down a Silk Road

Another Wednesday Wine Committee in the books. Great hosting by @Bill Makens . 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert wine all served blind.

My co-red WOTD. Perfumed with sweet oak, candied black cherries and cocoa dusted dates. Youthful. Big structure in place but not overly gripping. Dusty covered blackberries, plum and peppercorn, showing a hint of leather. Gorgeous. I called this late ‘00s/early 2010 Napa Cab.