Only problem with the Hawk & Horse Cabernet is the address. If it were produced 30 miles farther south owner Mitch Hawkins could double the price and no one would blink. This is a blockbuster California Cab that’s not only pricey, but worth every penny if the alternative is a $100 Napa Valley Cab of the same ilk. It shows a lovely nose of spice and wild berry, with a strong note of cassis and blackberry on the palate. Well balanced and muscular, it exhibits firm acidity and fine tannins. Certainly a pleasure to drink in its current state, this is one California Cab that will only get better for up to 12-15 years, making it a prime candidate for long-term cellaring.
Hawk & Horse Vineyards, Red Hills (Lake County) Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
By Robert Whitley