Napa Valley, California
13.9 % Alcohol
Tasted 2014-06-21
Cherry red with some light rims. Floral and vegetal aromas in the foreground; cherry notes far in the back. Beets, cinnamon sticks and nutmeg. Complex. In the mouth a little bit dry with still green tannins. Decanting does not change it.
For me the most Bordeaux-like style cab from California I ever drunk. My first impression was to drink a wine form the left bank, perhaps from the Pessac-Léognan. Difficult to say if the tannins will become smoother over the next years. The spine is there. Wait another three years minimum.
Concerning food pairing, Madonna Estates website recommends mildly seasoned beef, beef stew or chocolate truffles. Indeed a good recommendation. Especially the combination with the chocolate truffles sounds interesting.
I have in my cellar a bottle of the 2009 Estate Cab (Los Carneros). I will double-check if the style of the '06 Reserve is typical of the winemakers style or a speciality of the vintage.
The Madonna Estate tasting room is conveniently situated at the Old Sonoma Road. Picnic areas are available; the people are very friendly and competent. If you have a dog: No worries. The tasting is pet friendly. A place worth to visit.