Moone Tsai Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (Napa Valley, California)

Moone Tsai Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
(Napa Valley, California)


Regular price $185.00 Sale price $99.98 Save $85.02
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Notes from the Winemaker:
Our 2011 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon entices with a rich fruity nose, lightly accented with violets and spice. The evocative mouth opens with ripe black cherries and immediately impresses with hints of clove, accompanied by a tantalizing dusting of cocoa powder on the mid-palate. With 18-months of aging in fine French oak; the wine reveals a pleasing acidity, and finely grained tannins that tease the palate,…leaving a satisfying finish of black fruit and leather.

Much of this Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from the Caldwell 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 ripeness without the pressure of heat extremes common in warmer areas, and low vigor soils throughout the vineyard create small, dense clusters. With the addition of vibrant dark fruit from our preferred vineyard sources on Howell Mountain and in St. Helena, the resulting wine is expressive and evocative.
Varietal Composition: 100% Cabernet
Vineyards: Coombsville District, St. Helena District, Howell Mountain
Production: 954 cases
Harvest Date: October 20 - November 2, 2011
Cooperage: 67% new French oak; 33% 2-year oak: St. Martin, François Frères, Taransaud


Ratings & Reviews



Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:
"Nose dominated by nutty oak, caramel and sweet butter. Sweet and soft on the palate, showing good texture but little in the way of definition or primary fruit. Mocha and nutty oak flavors come off as rather hollow. Finishes with easygoing tannins and moderate length." Stephen Tanzer (May/June 2014)

Rank #39 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2011 & 95 Points - Wine Enthusiast Magazine (2008 vintage):
"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
(2008 vintage):
"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)

93 Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (2007 Vintage):
"Good medium ruby. Deep aromas of dark fruits, licorice, graphite, flowers and smoky oak. Broad, suave and sweet, with an almost chocolatey ripeness to the dark fruit and sexy oak flavors. A lovely midweight wine, finishing with suave tannins and good echoing lift and length. Most of this blend is from Caldwell Vineyard vines facing northeast." - Stephen Tanzer (May/Jun '10)