Winery - Cain
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Sort of a junior Cain Five, a Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc blend with a dash of Syrah. Very rich and provocative. There’s a ton of lush cassis fruit but even with just 5 percent Syrah, a strong white pepper note, and even a little bit of leather. Very dry, pretty oaky, with the best tannins money can buy, this wine has elegance and finesse. What it needs is substance.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A balanced, harmonious blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The wine offers a silky mouthfeel combined with focused, delicious fruit and a medium finish.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Herbal and lean in fruit, with earthy, tobacco flavors and a hint of blackberries and cherries. But the tannin-acid balance gives it a nice structure that will assist good food. A blend of 2000 and 2001.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is pretty much state-of-the-art for California Sauvignon Blanc. It has full-blown herbal fruit combined with a creamy center (from fermentation in used barrels) and a layered, complex finish.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
What to make of this wine? It’s young, with rich, soft, fine tannins framing powerful fruit, backed by a grip of acidity. Cherries, especially, but also black raspberries, with potent Asian spices. There’s a trace of raisining, which makes me wonder if it’s good for the long haul. But it’s certainly very good now.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This blend of five Bordeaux varieties is lean and tight, opening with flavors of earth, tobacco and sage. The winemaker has crafted a dry, tannic mountain wine built for the cellar. There is a solid core of blackberry fruit, and the wine should age effortlessly for 10 years. —S.H.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Concept seems to be a junior Cain Five. This latest vintage has major problems. It's extremely dry and tannic, with lackluster fruit that just emphasizes the tart acids. Not going anywhere or offering much pleasure.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This Sauvignon Blanc carries some tongue-puckering zip. It starts with the fruit-bowl approach: lots of melon, grapefruit and quince. Bordering on sharply acidic, but round and in fine enough shape. A cool-climate white similar to the good ones from New Zealand.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
You might call this Cain’s junior version of their famous Cain Five Bordeaux blend. This one’s blended from up and down the valley, and it’s exceptionally fine. Dry and smooth, with richly textured tannins, it shows ripe cherries, plums and currants, with a spicy, earthy finish. Best now through 2013.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
With this vintage, Cain announces the end of their Musqué bottling, after 14 years, and consumers are the losers. This wonderful wine always is crisp and clean, dry and intricately detailed with lime and gooseberry flavors.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
