2008 Kamen Cabernet Sauvignon Kashmir

The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Kashmir is a selection of the estate’s top barrels. Layers of dark fruit, spices, new leather, licorice and tobacco emerge from this juicy, racy wine. The 2008 possesses gorgeous inner perfume and considerable richness in an overt, fruit-driven style. There is slight a sense of heaviness, especially on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020. I was very impressed with the wines I tasted from Kamen. Robert Mark Kamen is probably best known to readers for the many screenplays he has written, but these wines are equally deserving of attention. Kamen bought his property in the Mayacamas Mountains in 1980. The vineyards were planted by Phillip Coturri and have been certified biodynamic for the last ten years. Mark Herold makes the wines. Tel. (707) 933-1700; www.kamenwines.com

Bright ruby. Nose dominated by a flinty minerality (the rocks in this vineyard really hold the heat at night, notes winemaker Herold). Sweet, creamy and supple, with captivating ripe acidity giving shape to this very broad wine. Dark fruits come up with some aeration. Finishes with substantial but fine-grained and suave tannins and excellent length. This is quite fruit-driven, whereas the 2007 is a distinctly more masculine wine that will require more patience.