2012 Materium Cabernet Sauvignon

From the red soils near Dalla Valle in the eastern part of the Oakville Corridor, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Materium is a killer wine. It possesses a striking, intense, rocky minerality, an opaque purple color, and deep, beautiful aromas of camphor, spring flowers, blueberries and black raspberry fruit. There is a cool climate character (even though this is not a cool climate viticultural area) as well as superb richness, a full-bodied mouthfeel, great delineation and a mindboggling finish that lasts nearly a full minute. This outrageous Cabernet Sauvignon can be drunk now and over the next 25 years.

From the red soils near Dalla Valle in the eastern part of the Oakville Corridor, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Materium is a killer wine. It possesses a striking, intense, rocky minerality, an opaque purple color, and deep, beautiful aromas of camphor, spring flowers, blueberries and black raspberry fruit. There is a cool climate character (even though this is not a cool climate viticultural area) as well as superb richness, a full-bodied mouthfeel, great delineation and a mindboggling finish that lasts nearly a full minute. This outrageous Cabernet Sauvignon can be drunk now and over the next 25 years.

Medium ruby-red. Perfumed aromas of cassis, blueberry, licorice and violet show a lightly exotic character. Silky-sweet and creamy on the palate, but with lovely harmonious acidity enlivening and framing the dark fruit flavors. Suave tannins saturate the finish on the intense, long, pliant back end. This compellingly rich Cabernet will merit a rating at the top end of my projected range if it develops more complexity during its final months in barrel. This estate did not bottle any 2011s owing to a high percentage of underripe and rotten grapes, electing instead to sell off the vintage in bulk. (ST)