Amen to Kamen Cab
February 13, 2008
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Amen to Kamen 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon!
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| 2004
KAMEN CABERNET SAUVIGNON-
SONOMA
VALLEY |
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One of the BEST Cabernet
Sauvignons in Sonoma and Napa Valley!
List Price: $64.95
Six
Bottles:$57.75
RATED 93 points by both Robert Parker
& Wine Spectator
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100% estate
grown Cabernet Sauvignon at elevations of 1100' to
1450' |
Sonoma Valley Certified Organic
Vineyardspoint. | |
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Dear Eric,
"We came and we conquered", I exclaimed to
Renee as we departed our neighborhood steakhouse last
night. We had just devoured two healthy cuts of red
meat, but my comment was more of a play on words regarding the
amazing Cabernet Sauvignon we had just consumed with great
gusto! We both started laughing. Ah! "Came
and...Kamen" Yes, the 2004 Kamen Cabernet
Sauvignon had truly captured our
hearts. I know you value my opinion.....so don't
ask me how I really feel, because I am telling you the
truth....this is a SERIOUS "MUST
HAVE" WINE!
Although the Kamen Estate vineyards is designated
in the Sonoma Valley appellation, the property runs
only a quarter of a mile from Napa County along the
southwestern slopes of Mt. Veeder high in the Mayacamas
range separating the two regions. Robert Kamen, a noted
screenwriter, purchased 280 acres of this remote and
rugged "wilderness" back in 1980. Through trials
and tribulation, including a devastating fire,
Kamen's goal has been to produce a world class Cabernet
Sauvignon from the 36 acres of organically farmed
vineyards, some of which cling to rocky slopes with more
than a 40% grade. The severe terrain and shallow soils
are diverse from ancient volcanic activity; so a complex
range of growing conditions can exist even within one
row. Yields never reach more than a meager 1.5 tons per
acre. Credit goes to Kamen's founding vineyard
manager Phil
Cotturi, who has pioneered organic viticulture practices in
Sonoma for more than 35 years. From the beginning, Kamen
and Cotturi believed in a non-interventionist approach to
preserve the natural setting. Kamen Estate vineyards
have never been exposed to chemical fertilizer, pesticides or
herbicides.
Past vintages of Kamen Cabernet
Sauvignon have ranged from good to very good, but
nothing close to the compelling 2004 effort.
It is not coincidence that "luxury winemaker" Mark Herold joined the
Kamen team in early 2004. Herold, along with his wife
Erika Gottl, are revered for the very difficult to
obtain Merus, a true "culty" Cabernet Sauvignon they
originally created in their Napa Valley garage. And
little wonder, as Merus continues to garner a string of
upper end 90s
point ratings from both the Wine Spectator and Robert
Parker. Mark Herold's paramount goal in wine making is
to acheive maximum extraction and depth of fruit, while
preserving the expression of terroir, and balancing the senses
with restraint and finesse. His dedicated commitment and
collaboration with Phil Cotturi in this first vintage is
most evident, but probably not up to his final
expectations.
See tasting notes below
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TASTING NOTES:
As soon as the cork was pulled, whiffs
of the wine's alluring aromas drew our
immediate attention. We did not decant, but
poured immediately upon opening. The wine displayed a
deep ruby color, with purple highlights. This Cabernet
Sauvignon had heady, thick aromas of black fruits
and mocha. Full, almost opulent, black berry and
black cherry fruit left supple and long lasting palate
impressions. When co-mingled with the charred red meat,
the wine registered complex nuances of boysenberry, dark
roast coffee, cocoa and graphite. Lavish, but
never tiring or heavy with a persistent bell ringing
finish. We marveled how we could still sense the wine on
our palates as we left the restaurant.
"A very seductive style, with tiers
of flavor--mixing ripe currant, black cherry and toasty
mocha-laced oak--that fold together in a elegant style that's
complex and concentrated without being weighty. Finishes with
a long, lingering aftertaste and firm tannins. Drink now
through 2013. 1,225 cases made." 93
points -JL -
Wine
Spectator (Feb. 28, 2008)
"The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, which I
reviewed last year, has become more complex
but,
other than than, has hardly moved.....the
wine displays a sexy nose reminiscent of a top
Graves from Bordeaux (scorched earth, hot
bricks, charcoal, and plenty of black
cherry
and black currant. The wine is sensual,
lush, and a totally captivating style of wine to
drink over the next 12-15
years.....Winemaking consultant Mark Herold is the wizard
behind
the wines, which seem to be going from
strength to strength. It would be hard to
argue
against the fact that Kamen is now producing
one of the top four to five Cabernet
Sauvignons
from Sonoma." 93
points - Robert Parker - Wine Advocate (Dec.
2007).
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Want to TASTE the 2004 KAMEN CABERNET SAUVIGNON? Yes, it will be included in this
Saturday's Tasting Bar lineup from Noon to 4pm.
Go to the
Virtual Tasting Bar page to view
the complete roster posted every Friday
afternoon. > www.thewineconsultant.com/tastingbar
Learn more
about Kamen Estate
Vineyards,
and Merus at these websites:
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ORDER - You may
reply directly to this email. Order at the
webstore. Visit the store, or contact either...
Eric Stumpf or
Renee Kroeger
The Wine Consultant
(916 721- WINE
(9463)
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