Estate 1856
2008 Sonoma County Red Blend
Red Blend •Tzabaco Rancho Vineyards
California: Sonoma County
Mission Briefing
1856 circa 2008
Winemaker Janice Schmidt spent 20 years making wine at Jordan, the Alexander Valley Cab powerhouse, so it comes as no surprise that her small batch Bordeaux-styled red tastes ridiculously good. Really. Really. Good. This fantastic wine is Cabernet Sauvignon blended with Malbec and Petit Verdot, composed for the long haul.
It’s a treat to taste a 2008 that has benefited from a few years in the cellar, but make no mistake, 1856 has many years of pleasure ahead of it. With it’s graphite-scented nose, dark berry fruit, and classic Cabernet character, it immediately won us over with a $75+ look, taste, and feel. Super impressive wine made by a winemaker who learned from the best at Jordan.
Tasting Profile
| Look: | Opaque. Blackish purple. |
|---|---|
| Smell: | Classic Cabernet Sauvignon aromas of cedar, berry, anise, and pencil shavings. The smidge of Malbec adds a sexy floral whiff. Does thy nose deceive? This smells like expensive Bordeaux! |
| Taste: | With a few years of age on it, there’s less of an overt fruit-forward punch, and more of an elegant integration between fruit ripeness and savory elements. The inky-looking fruit delivers lots of dark berry, plum, licorice, and dusty tastes. The Malbec really rounds out the palate with an intense black fruit, floral, meaty component. Cabernet Sauvignon plays the lead, though, with blackcurrant jam and anise - and black olive even. Wildly complex, refined, and supremely elegant. |
| Finish: | Smooth and polished with enough structure to keep on keeping on for another decade. |
| Pairing: | It’s hard to think of a better match than a rack of lamb with rosemary & lavender rub. Not a bad fireside sipper either. |
What the Winery Says
- Blend
- 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot, 14% Malbec
- Winemaker
- Janice Schmidt
- Cases produced
- 224
- Oak
- French oak for 22 months
- Alcohol content
- 14.5%