Grapelive Wine of the Day
By Kerry Winslow
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2009 Sheldon Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Creek Valley.
This almost Loire inspired Cabernet is a throwback to the 70’s and early 80’s style California Cabs with modest alcohol, spice, crisp acid and tannin balance that take equal status with the fruit core. This easy to drink Cabernet is a wonderful food wine and shows a clean and refined palate with blackberry, cedar, peppery spices, sage, tobacco and subtle oak shadings. The nose hints at black olives, pepper, cherry fruit and mineral notes before a plummy mouth that feels vibrant and med weight throughout, though look for this wine to build in body as it ages. This wine continues to grow on me and it has grown into a beautiful Cabernet since I first tried it in barrel last year. If you enjoy old California cabs, Loire Cab Franc or a nice Claret then you will love this wine. The Sheldon’s were looking for a new and more refreshing Cabernet, and they nailed it with this subtle and elegant wine from a tiny vineyard in the Dry Creek that has a truly interesting terroir.
($TBD) 93+ Points, grapelive
www.sheldonwines.com
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