2005 Seavey Cabernet Sauvignon Caravina

This historic estate was acquired by William and the late Mary Seavey in 1979, and their first eye-opening performances, for me, were the 1990 and 1991 Cabernet Sauvignons. Primarily dry-farmed, from steep hillsides in Conn Valley, the challenge, according to winemaking consultant Philippe Melka, has always been to get the tannins under control, as they can be rustic. Certainly he has achieved that consistently for the last decade. The second wine, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Caravina, is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from younger vines as well as lots that are deemed slightly less intense and more evolved and precocious. The 2005 was showing very well, fully mature, with stunning aromatics of chocolate, loamy soil notes, blackcurrants and licorice. Intense, medium to full-bodied, supple and round, this is a gorgeous second wine that represented over 1,100 cases produced.