Moone-Tsai Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
(Napa Valley, California) - [WE 95] [ST 91]

This hugely expressive wine entices with its aromas of tobacco and ripe boysenberry. 22 months of aging in 80% new French oak augments the wine's density and substantive, yet finely grained tannins, while richly layered flavors of red berries, coffee and black cherry coat the mouth throughout the lengthy finish. This is an outgoing, powerful wine.

Much of this Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from a vineyard in Coombsville, an area of southeast Napa Valley where soils are characterized by a unique blend of red volcanic soils and clay. The vineyard is planted on a gently sloping plateau, and the comparatively temperate climate of the area, versus the warmer territory up valley, serves to lengthen the growing season. The grapes are allowed to achieve full physiological ripeness without the pressure of heat extremes common in warmer areas, and low vigor soils throughout the vineyard create small, dense clusters. The resulting wine is opulent and expressive.

Varietal Composition: 86% Cabernet, 14% Merlot
Vineyards: Howell Mountain, Coombsville District
Production: 1,587 cases
Harvest Date: September 5 - October 18, 2008
Cooperage: 81% new French oak, 19% 2-year oak; St. Martin, Francois Freres

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Rank #39 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2011 & 95 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"One sip is all it takes to fall in love with this Cabernet, which contains a little Merlot. It's rich and lush and authoritative on every level. The texture is soft as velvet, but the tannins are firm, backing up blackberry, cherry, chocolate, cassis, mineral and new oak flavors that are complex and linger long into the spicy finish. Such are the tannins that the wine is likely to age well through 2016, at least." - S.H. (11/1/2011)

91+ Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:
"Saturated ruby-red. Lovely lift to the aromas of blackberry, violet pastille and menthol. Then juicy and lively on the palate, with a firm edge to the flavors of black cherry, wild herbs and crushed dark berries. Lots of Caldwell Vineyard fruit in here. This will need some bottle aging to harmonize and expand." - Stephen Tanzer (May/June '11)