Terra Valentine Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

The nose opens with deep plum, violets, cedar and bittersweet chocolate. Bright cola berry follows with notes of caramel and dried fig and a lingering, dark cocoa finish. Will age nicely for the next 5-7 years.

95% Cab Sauv, 2% Cab Franc, 3% Merlot. Aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, 33% of which were new.

"This is the winery's basic appellation bottling, and while it's not as rich or ageable as their other two vineyard bottling, it's a fine Cabernet Sauvignon. Dry and tannic, the black currant flavors are accompanied by wilder tastes of nettles and pine."
Wine Enthusiast, 90 points

"The soft, super-ripe fruit and the tense, mineral tannins seem to stand apart for now, making this wine black and indecipherable. The tannins are compelling, their tough, mountain-grown character clarifying some of the structure as the wine takes on air. For the cellar, then for thick-cut lamb chops."- Wine & Spirits, 91 points