2019 Red Hills Lake County Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon Sparkling Wine
By James Melendez
93 points
2019 Red Hills Lake County Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon Sparkling Wine
By James Melendez
93 points
Hawk And Horse Vineyards, Red Hills – Lake County (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 ($75): Quite pleasant to drink now, this Cabernet Sauvignon from…
This immense wine is wrapped tightly in tannins, holding the black currant and black cherry flavors firmly in check while a drying sensation puckers the palate. It has good focus and concentration underneath all that, which bodes well for aging.
Saturated ruby. The bouquet reveals explosive cassis and cedar aroma. The palate is silky and dense with sweet, expansive dark fruit flavors and a light earthy note. Well focused and tightly structured with still firm tannins finishing with lingering rich dark red fruit notes.
I am beyond thrilled to have explored something new, and I enjoy the heck out of it! On the nose and mid-palate, it is super light and floral. The finish leaves classic signs of a young cab with a pleasant tannin structure.
With 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Cab Franc added in, this 100% French oak-aged red is distinguished in its demeanor. A wave of black cherry and mocha plum are dispatched on a plush pillow. Chewy, the liquid engages with chalky, teeth-coating tannins and develops an intimacy with the palate. A valentine of plum and pomegranate is delivered on the finish.
From the estate’s 18-acre biodynamic mountain vineyard at 2,00o feet elevation, we are constantly in awe of the dynamism of these wines. Starting with rocky, red volcanic soils and aged for 25 months in French oak, this small production red (95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot) offers up violets and iron on the nose. Chalky, dry cocoa-cherry wood tannins produce a thrilling mouthfeel. Muted dried blue flowers and Italian herbs are saturated by black cherry.