2006 Venge Cabernet Sauvignon Family Reserve

The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Family Reserve is an exceptional 2006. Blackberry liqueur intermixed with creme de cassis, licorice, incense, and floral notes as well as a hint of subtle oak emerge from the glass of this full-bodied, super-concentrated, rich, intense wine. A baby in terms of its potential development, it will benefit from 5-10 years of bottle age and should drink well for 20 or more years – that’s a given. The long-time brilliant winemaker Nils Venge, now working with his son Kirk, has fashioned four impressive wines. Few people have as impressive a record of ageworthy, world-class Cabernet Sauvignons as does Nils Venge. I only have to go back to the first California wine I ever gave 100 points to, his 1985 Groth Reserve. (He made it as part of a staggering lineup of wines that he produced from the Villa Mt. Eden vineyard – now Plumpjack.) He has long had a Midas touch with this varietal, and it is certainly on display with these two vintages of his flagship wine, the Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Tel. (707) 942-9100; fax (707) 942-9121