Norm’s Tasting Notes
by: Norm Bentley
The North Georgia Wine Advisor
#nb-04-15
2012 Vanderbilt Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Yes, The Vanderbilt Biltmore House is in North Carolina, but no, this cabernet sauvignon is not made in North Carolina. It is made at their winery in Healdsburg, Sonoma County, California from grapes from the Dry Creek area. And, yes, the 2012 Vanderbilt Reserve Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon is a solid California style Cab, and at the risk of repeating myself from other previous articles about California Cabs, it is great with steak.
The Vanderbilt Reserve opens with a heady nose full of blackberries and a bit of black cherry. The color is excellent, and is a very dark purplish red, with good clarity. The flavor has some cherry, but showcases the blackberry against a background of mild oak and a hint of peppery spice. The finish is long and clean with a touch of oak which holds until the next sip. The alcohol content is 14.7%
As I said before it is great with steak, a comment heard often enough to make the reader believe that we have steak almost every other night, which of course we don't. However, when we do sear one on the grill, I do love to set a glass of good California Cab on the table beside the steak. Like most good reds this Dry Creek cab would be great with almost any grilled meat, including venison. Norm's score is 88.
score: 88
price: $22 - $27
Norm
p.s. I tried to restrain myself from saying this, but I read a review of this wine which said that the aroma contained the presence of banana blossoms and boysenberry pie a la mode, which just might be the most hilarious description of the smell of a Cabernet that I have ever heard. Funny, I did not notice those aromas when I sampled it.
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