2011 Shadybrook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – A Perfect Valentine’s Gift
Opened up this 2011 Shadybrook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon last night and was blown away as to its transformation while “resting in the cellar”!! Obviously when purchased it was very good, but some six years laying down has made this wine a “top performer”. When it was originally released, winemaker Rudy Zuidema used descriptors as “lush, opulent and finely structure” to open his winemakers notes. This wine used a combination of Clones 337 and 7 of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Clone 7 per Rudy was “added density to the nose and palate with black fruit, mocha and a bit of chocolate”. The equal part of Clone 337 contributed “elegance and aromatics lure of the wine with notes of spice, red fruit and cedar”. 6% of Malbec was added to provide background flavors of Asian spices per Rudy.
This evening on the eyes, a very dark red with just a hint of purple on the edges. The viscosity was medium heavy giving a clue as to what to become. The bouquet on the nose raspberries was the predominant aroma and with mountain flowers. On the palate a cacophony of black fruit, chocolate, red fruit and gentle oak leaped about in the mouth. The finish was tiered and long lasting with a slight “soft and allusive” sweetness. The structure was strong and the tannins silky smooth with no obvious edges.
Just upon the first sip, I gave it the highest marks of 2020 wines tasted thus far. Having already tasted and rated in 2020 some 149 wines with only a handful making the Best List of 2020 using my rating system, this already stood out. Having recently tasted the 2016 Shadybrook Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a wine to buy for your cellar or to enjoy right away. Retail is $125 and what a nice gift for Valentines!
Slainte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
https://www.shadybrookestate.com/
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