2008 Tychson Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

(100% cabernet sauvignon): Good deep ruby. Smoky aromas of black raspberry, black cherry, licorice, bitter chocolate and flowers. Very rich and nicely balanced, with flavors similar to the aromas. This boasts a sizable underlying structure for the vintage and will need time for its huge, slightly edgy tannins to harmonize.

The dense purple-colored 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill Vineyard exhibits notes of cassis, charcoal and toast in a full-bodied, velvety textured, concentrated style. The tannins are ripe and the wine reveals impressive levels of richness as well as intensity. The final blend is virtually all Cabernet Sauvignon and the wine can be drunk now or cellared for 20 or more years. Proprietor Ann Colgin, her winemaker, Allison Tauziet, and consultant, Dr. Alain Raynaud, must be pleased with their 2008s and attractive 2009s, even though neither of these two vintages measures up to what they achieved in 2007, 2005, 2002 and 2001. The 2008s were all bottled in July, 2010. It's hard to believe, but the Tychson Hill Vineyard on Route 29 just north of St. Helena is now 12 years old. 2009 was an overall cooler year, but the harvest at Colgin took place before the unprecedented 5- to 6-inch rainfalls hit Northern California in mid-October. Yields were normal across the board. In case you missed the reviews in issue of 186 (12-23-09), the just released bottled 2007s received the following scores: Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb VINEYARD (97) (the last release from this site) Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill (97+), Cariad (99), IX Proprietary Red (100), IX Syrah Estate (95). Tel. (707) 963-0999; Fax (707) 963-0996

(this is the only 2008 that's lower in alcohol than the corresponding 2007) Bright full ruby. Redder fruits on the nose than the 2007, with aromas of raspberry, chocolate, minerals and flowers. In a less opulent style but boasts terrific definition and lift. Finishes with rather spicy, youthfully edgy tannins that still need to be refined through further elevage