Random Ridge
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon
California: Napa Valley: Mt. Veeder
Mission Briefing
Random Act of Wineness
Today’s Mt. Veeder Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is delicious, elegant - and VERY highly recommended!
For the last six plus years, we have had the distinct honor to have featured Random Ridge wines, made with love, care and quixotic zeal by winemaker, Bill Hawley.
With under 100 cases produced, today’s 2008 Random Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon hails from Bill Hawley’s own Mt. Veeder vineyard, high above the Napa Valley. Mt. Veeder, located on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas range has a climate that is cooler than the valley floor below. This climate and the more difficult (less fertile) volcanic mountain soil influence the flavors of today’s wine, giving it exceptional character and elegance.
Our tasting panel was absolutely blown away by this wine and every one of us will be picking some up for our own private cellars.
Tasting Profile
| Look: | Slightly opaque at the core of the wine with dark garnet hues, transitioning to finer ruby at the edge of the glass. The wine settles quickly after a good swirl, giving clues that the weight of the wine on the palate. |
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| Smell: | Dark blackberry and dried tobacco leaf out in front, the wine then exudes bold plum, black cherry, dark leather, late summer forest floor with dried leaves and conifer needles. |
| Taste: | Juicy, bold, plush and deeeeeelicious, with lively blackberry, cherry juice, cassis, that yield to dark wild strawberry, blueberry reduction and a hint of dark spice. At the end the wine takes on an added dimension with hazelnut and subtle eucalyptus. |
| Finish: | Very elegant and lovely with voluptuous fruit and plush tannins. Fruit flavors go on forever, gradually unpacking complex but subtle notes of hazelnut and eucalyptus at the very end. |
| Pairing: | A filet mignon with a fresh garlic, salt and fresh pepper would be the perfect meal for this very elegant and very tasty wine. |