2008 Cimarossa, Cabernet Sauvignon “Rive di Cimarossa” Howell Mountain, Napa Valley.
Cimarossa is a label to explore if you’ve not seen it, and the wines deserve merit and lots of attention, this is really good stuff. The transition from Sean Capiaux to Mia Klein has gone extremely well, this fluid change from talent to talent has kept the heart and soul of the vineyard intact and will give Cimarossa it’s own identity, as Sean makes his own fantastic O’Shaughnessy Cabernets next door and Mia will be free to concentrate on the estate’s own unique character. Cimarossa has also created a buzz as a vineyard source, with Tor’s Jeff Ames getting one of Wine Spectator’s highest scores for his Tor Cimarossa Cabernet 2009. I was up at the property a few years back and marveled at the beauty of the place, and really enjoyed the 2007 vintage wines, but I can say the 2008 Cimarossa Rive di Cimarossa Howell Mountain Cabernet is the best yet from the estate and I fell in love with the elegance, style and depth of flavors found in this sublime wine. The nose is striking with acacia flowers, blueberry and lavender notes, along with mineral and spice with a touch of cedary oak and smoke leading to a rich palate of blackberry, creme de cassis and lots of currant fruit while flashes of blonde tobacco, sage and graphite adding complexity. This medium bodied Cabernet is just plain excellent, a beautifully detailed wine that delivers loads of pleasure and leaves a lengthy aftertaste that includes fresh plum, licorice, vanilla and refined sweet tannins. Drinking lovely now, but will age well fort the next 7 to 10 years, this is classy juice.
($60 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive
