2008 J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon

Norm's Tasting Notes
by: Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net






2008 J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon
#nb-19-10

I love the fall weather when the sky is dark blue, and the temperature range is between 45 at night and 75 during the day, with a dry cool breeze blowing. It makes me remember the first down run, the touchdown pass, and the big game. I also think of that big strike, and hauling in that five pound bass or that twenty inch speckled trout. What warms me up in this slightly chilly weather is that big glass of dark red wine served with a two inch thick steak, or a big bowl of venison stew, or of course, a big plate of spaghetti and meat sauce!

In light of the above, we decided to celebrate the fall with a big plate of spaghetti and meat sauce, and a bottle of 2008 J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon. We have enjoyed the Seven Oaks Cabernet many times during the last decade, and it always scores in the high eighties to low nineties. The 2008 was no let-down, and I would give it a solid 88.

The 2008 Seven Oaks like many bottles labeled Cabernet Sauvignon is actually a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petite Sirah, 4% Syrah, and small amounts of Merlot, Petite Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and other reds. Very Bordeaux in style it is what I would call a Claret, or some might say a Meritage. It is 100% delightful, with more than a year of oak aging and an alcohol level of 13.5 %. The wine is a beautiful reddish purple in color and has the aroma of currants and cherries. The flavor swells in the glass to reveal black cherry, with overtones of other dark berries, and a wonderful nuance of plum, which finishes with toasty oak and vanilla.

The Seven Oaks was great with the spaghetti and kept growing larger and larger in the glass which climaxed the evening, with the last of the wine, when the meal was long gone. It is very good right now, but should be even better by 2015, if you can wait that long! My score would be an 88, but it might be over 90 in 2015.

Price - $12 - $16
Score - 88

Norm


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