Winery - Sbragia
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This latest of Sbragia’s single-vineyard Cabs shows the winemaker’s penchant for ripeness and power. There’s nothing subtle about the oak and black currant flavors, which explode in the mouth. But few winemakers in California know better than Ed Sbragia how to draw elegance and subtlety from a wine of this size. Fine now, and should develop for a decade or more.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Simple and direct, with cherry-berry and new oak flavors that have an edge of rosemary and thyme. My chief complaint is the apparent sweetness.
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Sbragia Merlot - 2004
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This Zin is so soft, so ripe, so dessert-like, it could come from Paso Robles, Lodi or any other hot climate. Shows honeyed flavors of black cherry preserves, root beer and milk chocolate, with deficient acidity and tannins. Needs greater structure, which the ’05 vintage may bring.
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Sbragia Zinfandel - 2004
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
One for the cellar. It’s vibrantly rich and forward in blackberries, black cherries, plums, dark chocolate and sweet smoky new oak, yet very tannic. Creates an astringency that lasts through the spicy finish. It would be a pity to open it before 2012, and will last for years after.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is the most accessible, most interesting and most compelling of Sbragia’s new Cabernets. It’s extraordinarily powerful in the potent, sweetly refined tannins and ripe flavors of blackberries and cassis, leading to a long, rich finish. You can drink it now, but it will age effortlessly for a good 8–10 years.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Shows the hard, bigtime tannins of this important mountain appellation and also its tightly wound blackberry and currant flavors, with their dusting of herbs. Marred by a slightly unripe streak of vegetable, and not likely to improve with age.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Tastes a bit overripe, with a raisiny, stewed berry edge to the red and black currant fruit. That note of hot sweetness makes the mountain tannins hard and obvious.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Dry Creek Valley developed a reputation for keen Sauvignon Blancs a long time ago, and Sbragia has captured that tradition. This wine is dry and crisp and minerally, offering tart, food-friendly flavors of limes, lemons and kiwi, with richer hints of golden mango.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is an ample Cabernet that impresses for its ripe lushness of fruit. It’s very dry and rich in tannins, with blackberry and herb flavors that are spicy and briary. Big and powerful. Best now–2012.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is a gigantic Chardonnay and in my opinion, it’s too big for its britches. Everything is so over-sized, especially the oak, that it tastes like a white Burgundy on steroids. A wine like this will have its fans, but it really needs greater control and finesse.
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