2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Aida Estate

The Cabernet Sauvignon from the Aida Vineyard is becoming one of the most exceptional northern Napa Valley Cabernets, with a production ranging between 600-700 cases. The dense ruby/purple-tinged 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Aida Vineyard reveals aromas of melted chocolate, scorched earth, pepper, and creme de cassis. Fashioned from 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, Petit Verdot, and a touch of Cabernet Franc, it exhibits a superb texture along with those notions of charcoal and burning embers that come from this rock-laden soil. This full-bodied 2006 is more masculine and muscular than the 2005, without that wine’s complexity (of course, it has been in bottle for less time). While it is a successful wine for the vintage, buyers will need to be patient as it requires 2-3 years of bottle age; it should drink well for 20 years. Proprietor Chuck McMinn and his winemaker, Philippe Melka, continue to fashion one of Napa’s finest negociant blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, offering it at a reasonable price for a high end Napa Cabernet. The Aida Vineyard, situated between St. Helena and Calistoga, was a source of superb Zinfandel when the fruit was purchased by Larry Turley for Turley Wine Cellars. At Vineyard 29, they have continued to blend it with Petite Sirah, and age it in French oak. The most limited offering in this portfolio is the Sauvignon Blanc (100 or so cases produced). This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is aged for an unusually long time (16 months) in 100% new French oak. However, the oak is never noticeable in these cuvees as they are meant to replicate a fine white Bordeaux capable of aging. A wine I reviewed last year, the 2005, is still drinking fabulously well. Tel. (707) 963-9292; Fax (707) 963-7848

(85% cabernet sauvignon, 8% petit verdot, and 3.5% each cab franc and merlot) Bright ruby-red. Crushed blackcurrant, graphite, menthol and bitter chocolate on the nose. Dense, thick and sweet; a step up in density from the 2005, conveying a sense of almost porty chocolatey ripeness. A voluptuous, mouthfilling wine that finishes with ripe, dusty tannins and a note of licorice. This is carrying 15.8% alcohol, and was made from fruit picked on October 20, 23 and 25.