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What We Say 2003 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
If you are visiting us for the first time, Welcome! The Wine Spies feature one exceptional wine each day – and we only bring you wines that we ourselves seek out and love. Always, the wines are great. Sometimes greater than great, as is the case with today’s wine from Forth Vineyards.
Shipping Update: Wine ordered today WILL arrive in time for XMAS!
Exceptional Wine Alert!
Mission Codename: The Forth Element
Operative: Agent Red
Objective: Confirm or dispel the rumor that Forth Vineyards produces a Cabernet Sauvignon that is as good as – or better than those from Napa Valley
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Forth Vineyards
Wine Subject: 2003 Rebecca’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker: Gerry Forth
Backgrounder:
Napa Valley has earn its well deserved reputation for producing the best Cabernet Sauvignon in the U.S. and, arguably, the World. When rumors started swirling that Forth Vineyards had birthed a real Napa-basher, The Wine Spies sent Agent Red to investigate. He returned with their impressive Rebecca’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – and declared it an elegant masterpiece, deserving of a spot on your holiday table… and beyond.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Deep dark red-to-purple with a tight surface, a deep and dark center, with some of the slowest legs we have ever seen. Don’t think that this wine is syrupy, however, it is not.
Smell – A big rush of blueberry, plum and blackberry is accentuated by aromatics of anise, cherry, lightest cocoa and toasted oak
Feel – Great mouthfeel that begins wet and light – then goes tannic, drying the roof of the mouth, back of the mouth, tongue and lips
Taste – Big blackfruit with smoked cherry, cedar, anise, cocoa and plum with the slightest hint of mild spiced apple
Finish – Long, dry, tasty and smooth, with a dryness that is followed by an eventual mouthwatering that kicks some flavor back to your palate
Conclusion – Once again, TAKE THAT, NAPA! Forth delivers a Sonoma County Cab from the beautiful Dry Creek Valley, and, wow, is it great! The Wine Spies are so pleased to find you another brilliant Sonoma wine that drinks way above its price range while delivering a deliciously balanced and wonderful wine that is a joy to drink. This award winning wine deserves the high scores and accolades it has gotten; its an instant fav here at Central Command and we give this wine a HUGE Wine Spies rave!
Mission Report:
Greetings Operatives. You know that I love a great wine controversy so when Central Command sent me on a mission to Forth Vineyards to recon thsi Rebecca’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, I was thrilled.
I have been on previous missions to investigate wine made from grapes grown at the Forth Family’s Rebecca’s Vineyard. Each time, these wines proved an elegant and delicious treat.
Today’s mission proved somewhat arduous as the Forth’s were illusive and therefor difficult to track. It took several attempts to surveil them and, ultimately, I had to resort to telephonic gambits and a newly acquired asset to procure samples of the wine for this review. In the end our extended game of phone tag paid off and samples were handed off to a Forth Family neighbor with whom I had a scheduled meeting. Samples in hand and thanks extended to the Forth’s and to my new Asset, I retreated to my enclave to taste the wine.
On opening the bottle, I was immediately impressed with the look of this wine! Deep and almost violet in color with a tight-looking surface and s.l.o.w. legs that creeped down the glass. The aromatics of this wine were intense and stimulating without overpowering. Feel, Flavors and Finish? Well, simply, WOWZERS!
I was blown away by this wine and its balanced weight and feel, its great aromatics and its elegant deliciousness. This wine proves that Sonoma County cabs are increasingly giving their Napa counterparts a run for their money. Speaking of money, Sonoma cabs of incredible quality typically cost less than those from Napa. Who benefits? Spies like you!
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of the Forth Family’s Rebecca’s Vineyard can be seen in this satellite photo.
What the Winery Says
Forth Vineyards
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About The Vineyard:
Rebecca’s Vineyard – High in the beautiful sun washed and steep, terraced and rocky vineyard named for our daughter, Rebecca, vines struggle, producing low yields and small berries.
About This Wine:
When the perfect balance of sugars, pH and acidity is reached these are carefully hand-picked and carried to the winery where they are cold soaked and fermented slowly in small lots in open top bins. The resulting wine is elegant and sophisticated, complex and immensely pleasurable.
As it begins to open in the glass fragrances of blackberry, dark brandied cherry, toasted almond and a hint of spearmint entice. A sip allows those luscious cherry and blackberry notes to burst onto the palate, followed by bright red currant, toasty oak and supple, fine-grained tannins. The finish is long and very clean. With wonderfully balanced acidity, this wine was made to be paired with food; grilled or roasted beef, venison, lamb, mushrooms, aged cheeses and dark chocolate.
Enjoy now through 2011.
About The Winery:
The seduction began over twenty years ago . . . a rare week for the two of us to spend time together unwinding and exploring . . . driving whenever, wherever, as far as our time would allow. This nomadic trek would lead us, as if by way of destiny, to California wine country.
Our early morning walks in nearby vineyards seemed harmless enough. But the flirtation had begun. As the years passed, we found ourselves returning again and again to this idyllic place, yielding, in particular, to the alluring call of the Dry Creek Valley.
As the relationship grew into romance, we happened upon a rare piece of property—a broken down old ranch with just the right combination of rough, rocky soil and sunshine to produce magnificent red wines. Resistance was futile. It was love at first sight.
And so, to the farewell serenade of ‘Green Acres’ by our city friends, Gerry traded in his board seat for a tractor seat and I exchanged Ann Taylor suits for overalls.
We had found a land of promise . . . or it found us. And together we share its gifts with you.
Technical Analysis:
Varietals:
AVA: Dry Creek Valley
Vineyard: Rebecca’s Vineyard
Harvest date: September 21 with a yield of 1.1 tons per acre
pH: 3.79
Brix: 23.8
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bottled: July 2005 after 20 months in 100% new French Oak barrels; bottled aged until release date of November 15, 2007
Total Production: 210 cases
Suggested Retail: $38
