A Cabernet from a vineyard situated on the backside of the Mayacamas Range some three miles from the intersection of Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino counties that compares to 90 point Napa Cabs (depending on where you sit on the current Palate Press point system debate) selling at twice the price. The nose is a bit misleading at first, with seemingly dried out fruit and alcohol. But it does a vinous striptease in the glass (about a half-hour show), slowly unveiling its charms as the tannins give way to luscious blackberry, allspice, and currant fruit on the palate. The finale of the show is lingering and rich. This won a Best of Class Award at the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, held earlier this year in Sonoma County. A real keeper.
WHO: Obsidian Ride
WHAT: Cabernet Sauvignon
WHERE: Red Hills, Lake County, California
WHEN: 2007
HOW MUCH: $27
