2011 in Napa Valley was a difficult vintage. It was the year when using too much oak in the aging process turned the wine anemic and unpleasant. Many big-name Napa wineries turned out duds in 2011.
Not surprisingly, 2011 is the least popular vintage since 1998. That doesn’t mean there aren’t great wines from 2011. Over the past two years, I have shown my readers that many gems are still uncovered. This is one of them.
This is a gorgeous bottle of Cabernet. It starts with varietally correct aromas of graphite and burnt cedar. There is a deep well of classic Napa fruit as well, dripping with cassis. Deep, lush tannins envelop a velvet layer of chocolate and plum. The finish pushes to baking spices and leather.