The kind of wine you either love or hate – I loved it, and the person with whom I was drinking it disliked it. This is a big, muscular Napa Cabernet on steroids (14.8% alc.) that needs at least a couple of hours of breathing before it is safe to approach without your palate getting beat up. Intense nose of blackcurrant, menthol and dark chocolate. Seems overripe and jammy at first taste, but repeated tastings soften that view. Rich blackberry fruit that takes a bit of time to find past the tannins. Lengthy finish. Could benefit from aging. Definitely needs food, like a chargrilled ribeye. Both the wine and the steak have a crusty exterior masking rare flavors within. Highly recommended.
WHO: Kobalt
WHAT: Cabernet Sauvignon
WHERE: Napa Valley, California
WHEN: 2007
HOW MUCH: $88
