2008 Newton Cabernet Sauvignon Unfiltered
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Tasting notes
Bright red-ruby. High-pitched aromas of crushed blueberry, plum, currant, licorice, charcoal and tobacco, lifted by peppermint and aromatic herbs. At once more oaky and more intense than the Napa County cab, with youthfully tight dark berry, spice and tar flavors kept in check by almost tart acidity. Finishes with dusty, firm tannins. Needs time in bottle, but will this gain in flesh and nuance with aging?
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon reveals more creme de cassis and black currant characteristics along with good acidity, sweet tannin and a Bordeaux Right Bank aromatic and flavor profile. Soft, round and less structured than the vintages of 20 years ago, it should drink nicely for 10-15 years. Newton has a brilliant history of making very long-lived wines (their 1991s and 1992s are still showing well), although the current vintages seem slightly more developed and forward than those earlier years. Nonetheless, they are noteworthy efforts. They have always done an exceptional job with Merlot, largely because Newton was one of Napa Valley’s early clients of Bordeaux’s famed Michel Rolland. Tel. (707) 963-9000; Fax (707) 963-5408