2009 Vineyard 29, Cabernet Sauvignon “Aida Estate” Napa Valley.
Vineyard 29 is a stand out in 2009, with all their wines showing amazingly well and with great potential to develop in the cellar medium term, their Estate needs a good 5 years to truly show it’s magic, but the sleeper and wonderfully textured Aida Estate may be the one to watch. For those that want to put a few special bottles away, may want to grab some of Vineyard 29’s Aida Estate Cabernet 2009 and enjoy the rewards in about 3 or so years, and those that are patient might want to hold it for closer to 10 years to see all it’s glory. The 2009 Aida Estate opens with force and intensity with pure Cabernet character and power starting with acacia flowers, black fruits, incense, earthy truffle and black olives leading to a palate of creme de cassis, blackberry, blueberry and plum while sweet toasty Taransaud and other French wood barrels add quality and ease the tannins. The Oak plays a starring role here in this wines youth, but should fall back over the next 3 or so years to allow near perfect balance, though in this wine it is certainly pleasant and welcoming even now. Side lines of licorice, tobacco leaves, sage and pencil lead add complexity and the finish is simply stunning in length and class, honestly this might be the best 2009 at this stage that I’ve tried from Napa top echalon of producers.
($200 Est.) 94+ Points, grapelive
