2005 Staglin Family Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon -- Napa Valley

Good News Girlz,
I was asked so kindly to write a wine note for Good News Girlz and I gladly accepted and then thought that this would be my first experience in doing so. I do love wine, love to share it, love to drink it, love to talk about it. Wine is a lot like life: Each vintage, each vineyard, each vine and each grape are all unique! I have chosen a wine that you can actually find and buy: Staglin Family Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Tamara and I were so lucky to get a personal guided tour of the winery and we sampled both their two Cabs and two Chardonnays. The 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a great wine, with the characteristics of a much more expensive Harlan (my favorite Cab). At this point I could talk about the taste of pencil shavings, the smell of moss on the forest floor, the hint of oak from the branches of the west side of the large trees at the northern end of Napa Valley, but I won't. These were the descriptions of a wine we had that an overpaid sommelier who had no clue what he was talking about described to us one evening in Las Vegas. I will tell you that this wine is dense and full bodied, has a deep ruby purple color, with hints of black cherry, tobacco, and a touch of currants. The tannins are just perfect with a combination of softness and being bold at the same time. It's a beautiful wine, great with 2 inch thick lamb chops or New York steaks (best from Allen Brothers) cooked rare, or just sitting outside savoring a great glass of wine that stands up to the great life we all enjoy! This special occasion wine is priced from the winery at $175 a bottle, although you can find at a 10% discount at several great wine stores. Expensive yes, but a bargain compared to many ultra-premium Napa Valley cabernets. It is very drinkable now, or will cellar well for the next 15-20 years. Hope you enjoy!
Mark