2009 Sixteen By Twenty Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

The deep dark purple color signals that this wine is just beginning to evolve out of it’s reduced barrel sample state and showing the first signs of awakening. Intriguing bramble, menthol and spice notes dominate the youthful nose but Black Cherry, and Blackcurrant are layered in there as well. Slight nuances of anise, black olive, charcoal and a slight hint of vanilla coconut add to the interest. There is a rich, round, soft mouthfeel to this wine that subtly unfolds refined layers of Black Cherry, Red Cherry, and Blackcurrant. Hints of Blueberry, plum, olive and vanillin carry the middle into the slightly smoke tinged finish. The youthful, structured finish is all about big, substantial, firm - yet sweet, tannins. This wine is quite shy right now but the balance is excellent and the nuanced, Bordeaux like complexity is very intriguing.  The 2009 is most similar to the 2006 – both vintages nuanced and structured with less dependence on big fruit and more notable for the secondary complexities of a balanced Cabernet Sauvignon. There is no doubt that this wine will be long lived. I would decant in the near term but keep a few in the cellar because I believe this wine is going to be very interesting as it ages. Of note is that the harvest was quite small so we elected not to bottle a Black Cordon Vineyards 2009 Cabernet – instead all of our production went into this wine. Paul Hobbs Consulting Winemaker only 450 cases made