Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
Graphite, smoke, dark red fruit, iron and a host of mineral-inflected notes jump from the glass in Kamen's 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon. There is tons of mountain personality in this dense, structured, powerful Cabernet. In 2011, Kamen did not produce their top of the line Kashmir; all of the best fruit went into the straight Cabernet Sauvignon.
While Sonoma County is acclaimed—and rightfully so—for its Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Zinfandels, it also produces exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Of the region’s 18 American Viticultural Areas, only a handful produce top-notch Cabernet Sauvignon. These appellations include Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, Sonoma Valley and Dry Creek Valley. Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignons made in these appellations can offer a complex array of aromas and flavors. Fruit notes such as blackberry, blackcurrant, cassis, black cherry and raspberry often are accompanied by hints of graphite, dusty earth, cigar box, toast and vanilla. The varietal has a rich history in Sonoma, and some of these Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet-based blends rival the best from Napa Valley.