"A rich, potent, tightly wound and focused effort, with tiers of mineral, currant, dried berry, sage, black licorice and toasty herb flavors. This unfolds slowly, opening gradually to more layers and dimensions. Best from 2013 through 2022. 600 cases made." (WS)
"Not surprisingly, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal has also improved after a year in barrels. A wine of undeniable richness and intensity, this blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Petit Verdot exhibits notes of graphite, blackberries, black currants, scorched earth/burning embers, white chocolate and cedar. It tastes like a hypothetical blend of a Bordeaux Pauillac and Graves, but with the intensity and opulent fruit of Napa Valley well-displayed. It should be more approachable than the 2007 when it is released, yet last just as long, 20-30+ years.
David Ramey also produces Syrah and Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast, Russian River and Carneros, which will be reviewed in the February, 2011 issue. Another look at his 2007 Napa offerings essentially confirm my comments of last year. I tasted through David Ramey’s 2009 barrel samples and they all displayed the friendly, charming, upfront fruit of this vintage. In many ways, they will be even more drinkable than the 2007s and 2008s upon release, but due to the style of the vintage, they do not have quite the power, punch or concentration of those two years. However, they are charming efforts and those who sometimes find California wines too rich may want to take a serious look at this vintage." (WA)
"Inky purple. Highly perfumed aromas of blackcurrant, cherry-cola, cracked pepper, roasted coffee and rose oil. Then suave and expansive in the mouth, with an alluring sweetness to the complex flavors of dark berry preserves, candied licorice and tobacco. This rich but energetic cabernet really stains the palate but shows no excess weight. Finishes sweet and extremely long, with resonating floral and cherry notes." (IWC)
"Make no mistake, this is very ripe and heady stuff, but it is also very rich and deeply fruited. It will no doubt be accused of going too far, but none will point a finger and say that it is lacking in strength. We like its concentration and extract even if we are less taken with its outsized tannins and heat, but this is a big, burly wine that wants lengthy aging, and a decade is prescribed. Reviewed: August 2011" (CG)
Winery Notes:
Our fifth vintage from this small, outstanding vineyard on the lower slopes of the eastern Oakville hills. “Pedregal” means a rocky place in Spanish, and that is certainly a distinguishing feature of the site. During 2008 we agreed to a long-term lease of this vineyard which gives us complete control even through any change in ownership, so this is the first vintage we’ve directed farming ourselves (we converted to organic). Aging the 2008 on its fine lees has coated the tannins and smoothly integrated the wood, and we left this vintage 26 months in completely new barrels—yet it’s hard to find the oak. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot (16%) were harvested in two passes two days apart and co-fermented. As with all of our wines, this was fermented with native yeasts and bacteria and bottled without filtration. |
