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Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/537558
www.cheersonline.com 48 • July/August 2015 (92) Peju Province Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 (Napa Valley, CA). A great example of Napa Valley cabernet. Powerful, yet balanced. Intense, but with elegance. The palate, with its rich, dark fruit, goes on for a long time; the fi nish balancing fruit and acidity. A great wine, across the board. ($50) (92) Philippe Lorraine Cabernet Reserve Napa 2012 (California). A full-bodied wine defi ned by its beautiful purity, it possesses captivating fl avors of blackberries, cedar, cocoa and earth that weave together to make a wine of outstanding complexity. ($40) (92) Ranch House Cabernet Napa 2012 (California). Beautiful blueberry, black cherry, baking spice and cigar box fl avors cascade over the palate and weave together in a fabulously complex medley. Sweet tannins and spicy oak add further nuance. ($30) (92) Rubus Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 (Napa Valley, CA). A 2012 Napa Valley cabernet for under $40, Rubus is an absolute steal. Ripe blackberry, currants and nuances of tobacco and vanilla on the palate. The fi nish is long and impressive with notes of chocolate and black cherries. Finishes with just a touch of fi ne silky tannins. ($25) (92) Santo Stefano Cabernet Rutherford 2012 (California). Boasting fl avors of black cherry, dark chocolate and spice, this cab stands out for its rich, smooth profi le; dusty tannins and an opulent mouthfeel make for a wonderfully pleasurable fi nish. ($30) FOUR STARS (91) Airfi eld Estates Runway Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 (Washington). Ruby and garnet in the glass, the nose has plenty of dark berry and cherry, with a hint of vanilla and toast. The palate is a refl ection of the nose, with a long elegant fi nish. An excellent Washington state cabernet, and an outstanding value. ($19) (91) Courtney Benham Cabernet Napa 2013 (California). Lovely fl avors of dark fruit, cassis, cedar and spice meet with hints of oak and robust cigar box; full-bodied and bold while maintaining an elegant profi le. ($24) (91) Cross Springs Lake County Cabernet 2012 (California). This rich, polished cabernet exhibits layers of cassis, black cherry, currant and wild berry fl avors that are intense and focused. The fi nish is long, framed by a hint of spice and mouth-coat- ing tannins. ($18) (91) Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa Valley (California). Possesses a medium-full bouquet of ripe red fruits, with currant and cherry leading the way and blackberry lingering in the wings. Medium-full on the palate too, which shows off some fi rm tannins but it stays well balanced as the ripe red fruits still show through quite nicely. A touch of cocoa pops up in the fi nish. ($75) (91) Gordon Brothers Cabernet 2011 (Washington). Silky-textured with nicely integrated oak that serves as an excellent backdrop to the fl avors of crème de cassis, white pepper and lavender; it fi nishes with a seamless acidity that provides great structure and balance. ($30) (91) Iter Cabernet Napa 2013 (California). Concentrated and inky with robust black- berry, smoke, and cedar weaving together beautifully on the mid-palate. It fi nishes smooth and savory with an abundantly rich mouthfeel. ($21) (91) Joleté "Olson Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 (Dry Creek Valley, CA). The aromatics are bursting with chocolate, coffee, boysenberry and fi g. The palate is full and rich with blackberry, cassis, mocha and a hint of vanilla and cinnamon. An abso- lute no-brainer for anyone who wants ripe, rich and full cabernet sauvignon. ($30) (91) Line Shack Cabernet San Antonio Valley 2013 (California). A full-bodied and elegant cabernet with a lovely core of sweet tannins that provide a structural backbone to the rich fl avors of blackberries, plums and mocha. ($17) (91) Olema Cabernet 2012 (California). A pleasantly nuanced cabernet with plenty of currants, cedar, and black fruit fl avors; it fi nishes with tart cherry and light minerals. ($26) (91) Rock View Cabernet Alexander Valley 2013 (California). A concentrated cabernet that is brimming with rich fl avors of black raspberry, fi gs, cassis liqueur and spicy oak. It fi nishes with silky smooth tannins and an exuberantly supple mouth feel. ($30) (91) Rock Wall Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap 2012 (California). Complex nose with hints of chocolate. Flavors of cassis, blackberry and pepper. Long, pleasing fi nish. ($70) (91) Sextant Cabernet Paso Robles 2013 (California). A graceful cabernet with gen- erous fl avors of cranberries, blackberries and light baking spices; full in body with a velvety smooth fi nish that coats the palate in soft tannins and lovely fruit. ($22) (91) Shannon Ridge High Elevation Cabernet 2012 (Lake County, CA). Aromas of dark berries and hints of oak spill from the glass. Full bodied and well balanced with fl avors of dark chocolate, vanilla and ripe cherries. A tremendous value. ($15) (91) Slingshot Cabernet Napa 2013 (California). Inviting and approachable, this cabernet has gorgeous fl avors of dark berries, red plums and black berries. It fi nishes round and vibrant with grainy tannins. ($25) (91) Truth & Valor Cabernet Paso Robles 2013 (California). Broad, rich fl avors of crème de cassis, plum and dark chocolate surround the palate of this