Thursday, November 1, 2007

V. Sattui Morisoli Cabernet

Oct. 22, 2007
V. Sattui
Cabernet Sauvignon
Morisoli Vineyard
Napa Valley
2004
14.6%
About $51 – Sattui Winery, Napa, CA


Color: Deep, rich red
Nose: Not super intense: cherryish and a little woody
Body: Pretty dense, but varies as the structure develops: heavy in the middle
Front: Cherry
Middle: Plum and a little spice, a little leather, dusty
Back: Early on, blackberryish; after 1.5 hrs open, more hollow but not in a bad way--almost like Pinot Noir clarity
Burns clean?: Yes
Cap: Cork

This is an extraordinary wine. Complex, evolutionary (in the sense that the taste changes as the bottle stays open; it’s young yet at 3 so decanting would probably enhance it a lot), good with all kinds of food, powerful, and despite its alcohol level, not in the least bit hot. In a few years it’s going to be more subtle, just as structured, and just as evolutionary. Slap ya mama good.