2003 Grace Family Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
Deep, bright ruby-red. A real potpourri of a nose: clove, cinnamon, sandalwood, orange peel and licorice. Then sweet, round and rich, but with very strong, if not exotic, oak spices; I was reminded of mulled cider. Fairly large-scaled for a cabernet from this estate. Finishes with a note of chocolate and supple tannins that coat the entire mouth. The Grace cabernet appears to be sacrificing some floral delicacy in favor of more sweetness and weight, partly through the use of a higher percentage of new oak.
Critic scores
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Healthy deep red-ruby. Aromas of raspberry, red cherry, flowers and tarry oak. Juicy, minerally and firm, with very good palate coverage but no undue weight. The floral element lifts the wine's red berry fruits. The fruit benefited from long hang time in 2003, noted winemaker Gary Brookman, who added that the percentage of Taransaud barrels used at Grace has been raised from 20% in 2001 to two-thirds in 2004. Perhaps less aromatic today than the 2002, but these tannins are a bit suppler.