Chimney Rock Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

The 2006 vintage represents another great vintage in the Stags Leap District. At Chimney Rock this was a particularly luxurious year because we had a tank to dedicate to every vineyard block for the first time since the planting of our last nine holes of the golf course. Overall we experienced an interesting set of conditions this harvest - rain and wind, cold and heat. In the end, Cabernet Sauvignon, sturdy grape that it is, will reign over all of our challenges - small resilient berries, filled with flavor and strength. Our 2006 Stags Leap District Cabernet is a great representative of the vintage. We've described the 2005 vintage as "dark and brooding." If we had to pick two words to describe 2006 they would be "bright and sassy."

This wine has bright red fruit aromas -- bing cherries come to mind. In tandem with the extroverted fruit -- some sassy spices such as clove and even a hint of cinnamon. All of that layered with some vanilla and a hint of coffee bean.

Lively is the first word that comes to mind. Mouth-watering juiciness at the front palate are followed by a palate coating middle. Tannins -- velvety as expected. Long finish.