William Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - Napa Valley; 14,5% abv; 25,50€
This was by no means an elegant wine, and I will say it out right that I didn't really like this now. Yet this was a welcome change to the few other Americans we have seen here. The scent is very ripe, full of very dark fruit, but instead of being harsh and woody (this sees "only" 38% new wood) this is full of sweet aromas and some cigar box savoriness. Very full bodied, very sweet fruit, but unlike previous Cabs we have seen, this does have enough tannin and acidity to keep it all together. In other words, there is a perverse kind of balance in this wine: there is for my tastes too much wood, too much fruit, plenty of tannin and high acidity, yet all these elements are harmonious in relation to each other. Despite its size, it is rather refreshing so there is some moreishness to it. I would be intrigued to try this in five years or so if the elements I don't like would have faded by then. I can imagine that this is a pretty decent, fairly priced (by Finnish standards) Napa Cab for those who like such a big style. But for now at least, this isn't one for me.