V. Sattui Winery, Napa valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

I wish that I didn’t have to travel from my home in DC to California to taste V. Sattui wines. What is behind the wish is the fact that the wines are so delicious, so consistently, showing proudly a clearly Californian style while managing to be so harmonious and fresh and natural, that they do something important: Belie the widespread East Coast stereotype that California wines are all sterile and uniform products made by U.C. Davis Lab Rats. This Cabernet is a complete, utterly convincing wine, fashioned in a winning style that will woo consumers and critics alike with a collection of charms based on purity, freshness, and immediacy of appeal, with no extraneous weight or ripeness but still a fabulously flavorful profile. Platinum Award winner at the 2013 San Diego International Wine Competition.