2012 Salvestrin Cabernet Sauvignon $64
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Winery Tasting Notes: “Near ideal growing conditions in 2012 yielded a classic example of Salvestrin Estate Cabernet. The wine is deeply colored with a black center and garnet edges. Lower your nose to the glass and you’ll find a heavy perfume of lavender, camphor, and black cherry. Its multi-dimensional palate is rich and pure, with a fresh acidity. Flavors of chocolate and blackberry are carried through the lengthy finish. This is a wine that is drinking well now but will improve with ten plus years of aging.”
Wine Advocate Review (93 pts): “The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc, has interesting charcuterie, meaty smells and roasted herbs in the nose, followed by black cherry and blackcurrant fruit. It is a Mediterranean style of Cabernet Sauvignon that has lush, soft tannin, a dense ruby/purple color and immediate drinkability. However, there’s no doubt it can age well for another 5-10 years.” –Robert M. Parker Jr.
Blend: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot & 3% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol Level: 14.8%
Cases Produced: Limited Production
Winemaker Name: Rich Salvestrin
Maturity: Drink Now – 2024
Pairings: Grilled/BBQ’d, Smoked or Roasted, Red Meats, Pork. You know what this one deserves!
Staff Review: DREW MOFFAT – CV WC Members scored on this one, receiving one of our best QTPR “Quality-To-Price-Ratio” wines on the market. We have always been a fan of Salvestrin Winery which an absolute staple of the Napa Valley…but this wine, at this price is DREAMY! Let’s start with some background. Salvestrin was purchased back in 1932 by Italian immigrants John and Emma Salvestrin. The most important fact about this purchase was the land they were acquiring was the historic CRANE RANCH and included the Victorian home of Dr Crane. If you are not familiar with Dr Crane Vineyard, it is simply one of the most sought after vineyards in all of California, 2nd (arguably) to Beckstoffer – To Kalon Vineyard in Napa Valley. Also, Crane Vineyard wines easily fetch $150-$500 per bottle!!!
With three generations of continual family farming and winemaking, the Salvestrin label is pure, balanced and absolutely delicious. One of the most sought after wines in their line-up would be the Cabernet Franc which consistently sells out first vintage-after-vintage. You will find a scoash (3%) of Cabernet Franc blended into this Cabernet Sauvignon, but even at 3% it helps add that beautiful flavor that is synonymous with Salvestrin wine. Being a 2012 this wine has some nice age to it already but could benefit from a few more years. That said, why wait! Cheers!
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