2007 Leonetti Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon

Leonetti has long been considered the "benchmark" for Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon and their dedication to producing world class wines since the late 70's has helped the region develop into what it is today.  I'm excited to be tasting this wine because as in most wine markets, Leonetti is very limited and has become somewhat of a hot commodity in the retail segment. The times that I have been lucky enough to taste the wine, it's mostly come from private cellars of close friends who are on the mailing list.

The 2007 Leonetti Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 4% Carmenere, and 3% Malbec.........(Yes, I said Carmenere!! awesome huh)......The wine was aged in both new and neutral French and American oak for a total of 22 months.

This very dark and opaquely colored wine has a bouquet that expresses aromas of black currant, black cherry, coffee grind, spice, toasted oak, and a slight touch of cinnamon-sugar. This wine is far too young to be consuming as is and needs serious decanting in order for the aromas to blossom. In time I believe this nose could develop into something far more layered and complex.

On the palate I get dark and dense flavors of black currant, ripe blackberry, black licorice, toast, cedar, and hints of coffee bean. This wine is loaded with intensity and big ripe tannin. You can immediately tell when drinking it that the wine has the capability to age gracefully for decades, mainly because of the balanced acidity and density of structure. Trust me folks......this wine has all the skeleton! The finish is really long and leaves lingering flavors of wild blackberry, vanilla, and coffee grind. 94 points

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