We visited the Napa valley last October.Cabernet Sauvignon is the famous premiere grape of Bordeaux, but in the wrong climate and the wrong hands, it can be thin, tannic and quite vulgar, but when grown in the Napa, well let’s just say something magical happens.
I haven’t tasted a bad wine of any sort from the valley. The first thing that hits you is the colour which is the most vivid of any red wine anywhere but the nose is so inviting. I’ve often found myself sniffing the glass for a rather extended period, just wafting the fruit in. The palate is, of course, sublime, and I’ve wrestled with how best to describe this recently, but thankfully a Covid dream gave me the hint. It’s like a cassis and mint grenade going off on your palate with a strange person dressed as Mickey Mouse throwing chocolate in to calm it all down.
My brain tells me there are tannins present and there simply must be because many of these wines age beautifully but, if you can find them, you’re a better person than me.
If you get the chance to visit when all this is over, make sure you get to Charles Krugs vineyard via the Wine Train for the least sales driven and most informative tour and, of course, the world-famous Stag’s Leap if you want to see just how sublime Cabernet Sauvignon really can become.
Frogs Leap Cabernet, NAPA
Yes, okay is a little pricey but this really is worth every penny and more. Lovely violet and mint aromas on the nose with a mass of juicy ripe blackcurrant flavours and hints of cocoa on the palate. Smooth and quite irresistible.
Oddbins £48.00
NAPA Family Vineyards Cabernet
This is absolutely sublime and for a NAPA cabernet, the price feels a bit like shoplifting so get it while you can. It’s a gorgeous array of flavours with cassis, vanilla, chocolate and even grannies leather sofa. Seriously good for the price.
Majestic £22.99 or £19.99 for a mixed 6
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