2007 Vineyard 29 Cru Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

From Chuck and Ann McMinn with Philippe Melka as winemaker. Gravity-flow facility in St. Helena. I was introduced to their wines last April in Charlotte. Said to be a veritable cult wine. The Cru wines is from six different sites in Napa Valley. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes. About $45-$50 a bottle. (Their 2007 Vineyard 29 Aida C.S. is about $150 a bottle. I got a small taste of Aida in Charlotte and was impressed with it but was shocked by the price. The 2007 Vineyard 29 Aida Zinfandel is about $65-$75 a bottle.)
14.8% abv. Very dark purple color; opaque. Nose and palate share black currants and a slightly savory underpinning. Smooth from first impression to finish. Approachable now but appears to have enough structure to cellar several years. I like this better than 80% of the Cal Cabs I taste, probably because it is less green and less tannic than most Cabs this young. Here is a link to other reviews: http://www.sokolin.com/articles/Staff-R ... aspx?id=83

(reviews speak mostly of red fruit although I thought black currants--also say it can age for a decade or two)

[Jenise]

Haven't had any wines from this outfit, which is relatively new I believe (past ten years, anyway). Good note--wonder if the winery is named for the highway that runs through the Valley, any idea?

Haven't had any wines from this outfit, which is relatively new I believe (past ten years, anyway). Good note--wonder if the winery is named for the highway that runs through the Valley, any idea?

Yeah, Highway 29-- Their higher priced cabs are typical of much of Napa cab in the last few years. My personal preference would be Kathy Corison's approach to wine makeing.

[Jenise]

Haven't had any wines from this outfit, which is relatively new I believe (past ten years, anyway). Good note--wonder if the winery is named for the highway that runs through the Valley, any idea?

Yeah, Highway 29-- Their higher priced cabs are typical of much of Napa cab in the last few years. My personal preference would be Kathy Corison's approach to wine makeing.

Thanks. Lou darling, what would we ever do without you?

A friend on another wine forum tells me that Vineyard 29 is situated next to Grace Family Vineyards.