Grapelive Wine of the Day
By Kerry Winslow
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2008 Kobalt Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley.
This is my favorite Kobalt to date, and I think it will even get better over the next few years, even though it is lavishly enjoyable now. Over the last five years this tiny label has secured a fast following that feverishly gobble up every last bottle and this 2008 is a great example why they do. With top Cab consultant Mark Herold (Merus and Kamen) giving advice, Kevin Carriker has taken this micro winery to the next level. I think Kobalt is almost on par with the likes of Hundred Acre and others that make lush, ripe modern styles of Cabernet. That said, the 2008 is a balanced and complex wine that doesn’t get raisiny or feel too alcoholic, as some bigger wines can get. There is a sense of finesse and it is not overtly sweet or port like, it has classic Cabernet flavors and firm tannins. The nose has smoke, vanilla, graphite, acacia flowers and boysenberry leading to a big mouthful of currant, plum, blackberry, cassis and bitter chocolate with licorice, tobacco spice and cedar notes. While done in a bold blockbuster style the 2008 Kobalt still drinks with lots of charm, bravo!
($90 Est.) 95 Points, grapelive
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