Two Wines – One Failure and One Was Spectacular
Opened the first bottle last night to enjoy as we completed a mini-vacation visiting relatives. It was a 2010 Saint Helena Winery Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. It had been stored with exacting temperature and humidity controls since purchased in December of 2012. This wine comes from their thirteen acre estate vineyard. While I carefully waited to enjoy, I was thoroughly disappointed in the age worthiness of this wine. It was flat, had copper edges and the taste was nothing as promised (blackberry, cherry, cocoa, etc.). I would not age this wine and would not purchase again. A horrible experience for a $100 bottle of wine! I don’t as a matter of record provide “negative reviews” but this got under my skin as an epic shortcoming.
Still wanting a “good wine”, opened a 2012 Blackbird Vineyards Contrarian, a red blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc and 23% Merlot. Immediately the dark ruby and purple coloration and viscosity resonated with my eyes. The nose was a mixture of black and red fruit with blackberry leading the charge. On the palate, mocha and vanilla with hint of “pencil shavings” gently coated the mouth. The finish was smooth with soft velvety tannins and structure which endured a long time. The retail price of $125 and age ability was worth the price paid for this quality of wine.
Sláinte,
Michael
California Wines & Wineries 
November 15, 2020 at 6:26 pm
sorry the wine did not live up to the expectation
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