Winemaker Notes
Plush and broad on the mouth, the 2011 Cabernet shows dark fruit, cassis, rose and warm minerals plus hints of smoke and cedar. Floral notes reappear on the finish which is long-lived. This is a savory wine with a vibrant tactile quality, aromatic intensity and intriguing weight and balance.
Blend: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petite Verdot
Professional Ratings
-
Vinous
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Seavey Vineyard is such an elegant wine. Crushed leaves, tobacco, dried cherry, mint, cedar and graphite are all typical of a wine that is fully mature. The 2011 is likely to stay in this plateau for a number of years; however, there is no upside to be had from further cellaring. The 2011 is a very pretty wine that is in the zone.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
While the 2011s are obviously lighter, the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate displays a deep ruby/purple color along with notes of beef blood, black currants, charcoal and burning embers. This complex effort hits the palate with sweet tannin, medium to full-bodied richness and a long finish. It is surprisingly evolved and forward by the standards of most Seavey Cabernets, and should drink well for 15 more years.
Range: 90-92
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.