When I first tasted Phifer-Pavitt's Date Night Cabernet Sauvignon, I was impressed. That was a year ago. With the second release of this wine, the 2006 vintage, I think I might be falling in love.Me and a California Cab? It's Montague and Capulet. I'm a Jet; this beauty's a Shark. This can't be.
But Date Night is made from a single, organically farmed vineyard in Napa's Pope Valley. The grapes are hand-picked before undergoing a wild yeast ferment. The wine isn't over manipulated. The goal of the wine-making is to express the site.
What's star-crossed about that?
The wine itself is beautiful. It has a bright, complex and perfumed nose of cherry confiture, pomegranate juice, stewed plums, allspice and cafe au lait. It shows elegant balance and pure fruit on the palate. Like the inaugural vintage, it is remarkably linear. And the dark chocolate and crushed rocks finish lingers long enough to make the 3rd date.
This could be the start of something serious.
2 comments:
I agree - it's a wonderful wine. I was out there at the release party and loved the new vintage as much as the last.
perhaps the obamas should drink this on their next "date night"?
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