Wine Recommendations: Ferrari-Carano Releases An Exceptional 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon -- Also, new Rodney Strong wines
PRE-VAIL 2004 Back Forty Cabernet Sauvignon has promise for the ages!!!
Under its new PreVail label, Ferrari-Carano is offering the finest Cabernet Sauvignon it has released to date. It is a wine that is a real contender for honors among the top-tier of California Cabernets produced from the very successful 2004 vintage. Rich and dense on the palate, the [98]PreVail 2004 Back Forty (1200 cases, $85) once again confirms that California's best Cabernets need no 'seasoning' from other varieties to be complete wines. Not only wholly impressive as a young Cab (release date November 2007), it possesses the structure, balance and depth to live forever while gaining intriguing complexities over the next thirty years. If you want wine to lay down celebrating the birth of a baby born in 2004 -- this is a wine you can count on to be impressive when the child hopefully graduates Magna cum laude from Berkeley, Stanford (or, from Don Carano's alma mater, University of Santa Clara).
Produced from forty acres of low-yielding vines at a 1100 foot elevation on Ferrari-Carano's RockRise Mountain Vineyard in Alexander Valley, the wine benefited from the long, cool, evening ripening vintage that produced a flush of outstanding Cabernets from Sonoma and Napa counties. From the cassis tones in the aromas to its long, lengthy finish, this is a great wine to use to show friends the power that can be achieved in Cabernet Sauvignons.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Like Syrah? Be sure to try PRE-VAIL 2004 WEST FACE!
If you like the earthy, smoky, expresso and chocolate tones that well-made Syrahs can offer, Ferrari-Carano's [92]Pre-Vail 2004 West Face, Alexander Valley (3500 cases, $55) is a thoroughly satisfying wine to pair with braised or perfectly roasted meats. This one combines the strengths of Cabernet Sauvignon (70% of the blend) with the wonderful gutsy appeals of Syrah (30%). This is a wine that will stand-up and be impressive -- even to a crowd that may think fine whisky is the perfect before-dinner drink.
* * * * * * * * * * *
RODNEY STRONG 2006 CHARDONNAY -- a very tasty bargain!
Two new releases from Rodney Strong caught our attention. First, the winery's [89]Rodney Strong 2006 Sonoma County Chardonnay ($15) is a great bargain. Bright and fruity impressions on the palate follow the invitation offered by sweet oak and varietal scents that draw you to the wine. This appealing offering may remind you why you liked Chardonnay the first time you tasted it.
RODNEY STRONG 2005 ZINFANDEL -- attention all Zin enthusiasts!
The other release will interest Zinfandel enthusiasts and, like the Chardonnay, displays Winemaker Rick Sayre's deft hand at bringing together lots of wine from several vineyards into perfect balance. This is the [91]Rodney Strong 2005 Knotty Vines Zinfandel ($20). The fruit comes from the winery's estate vines in Sonoma County and is named after knarly, old, head-pruned vines on an estate vineyard in the Russian River Valley which was planted in 1904. Old vines fruit was blended with berries from younger vines from three locations in the Alexander Valley. A rain-free October and relatively cool summer allowed for lengthy hang-time before the grapes were harvested in mid-October. Thus, there are full varietal fruit flavors and little tannic harshness in a wine rich with Zinfandel fruitiness. The wine is fun to drink and will serve perfectly with richly flavored dishes.