"What To Drink Now: Refined California Cabernet"

D Magazine, By Hayley Hamilton Cogill, May 18, 2015

Though summertime temperatures are here, we still love to drink big hearty Cabernets in Texas. Few do this luscious variety better than Napa Valley. The region has built a reputation on producing high quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet based red blends that create harmonious wines with a fruit forward flavor profile, many also reflecting the terroir of the surrounding, highlighting the flavor of the land.

As Napa Valley prepares for their upcoming Auction Napa Valley celebration, here are a few great Cabernet Sauvignon wines to consider from Napa. I included a few additional selections from around the state as well. I am sure they may surprise even those who only drink Napa. A few selections were sent for editorial consideration. Also on Mount Veeder sits Brandlin, a historic vineyard sitting at 1200 feet above sea level, overlooking Napa Valley.

Originally planted in 1926 in very steep, rocky terrain, the vineyard today produces highly concentrated fruit, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties, but there are also 10 acres of very old vine Zinfandel that the current owners, Cuviason Estate Wines, are dedicated to maintaining. Sustainably farmed in the same manner as the original Brandlin family, wines are nurtured by hand to display true characteristics of the land. Brandlin Henry’s Keep Proprietary Red Wine pays tribute to the Brandlin family and their patriarch, Henry Brandlin.

Aged 22 months in 75% new French oak, the small production wine is filled with layers of mocha, wild sage, black cherry and tobacco. The tannins are bold, but nicely balanced with cedar spice accents. This a wine that has plenty of aging potential. $100, available via their website.
May 28, 2015

Fantastic Recognition by Jancis Robinson!

We are pleased to share recent comments from Jancis Robinson, a British wine critic, weekly wine writer for The Financial Times, and editor of The Oxford Companion to Wine, who recently reviewed Napa Cabernets. Needless to say, we were excited about her take on our Brandlin Estate Cabernet, in comparison to these other much higher priced producers.

Jancis Robinson – April 2015 
Napa Cab lightens up

At February’s 2015 Premiere Napa Valley Auction, Jancis Robinson tasted verticals from 12 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon producers organized by the Napa Valley Vintners. The wines were from the 2010, 2011 and 2012 vintages.

She was struck that exaggerated fruit bombs are becoming the exception rather than the rule and there really does seem to be a move towards more finesse and geographical expression. “Most of these wines were, admirably, single-vineyard Cabernets.”

Brandlin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($60) was one of only 12 Napa Cabernet producers selected by the NVV for this prestigious tasting. Others included Paul Hobbs ($175), J Davies ($90), Shafer Hillside Select ($250), Realm ($165) and Spottswoode ($175) among others.

Following are her notes from that tasting that used a 20 point scoring scale:
Brandlin, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Mount Veeder
Well balanced and complete on the nose. Sweet start and spicy with lovely high-quality oak in evidence. Very pure and confident. But definitely new Napa.
17.5 pts (highest score for the vintage) 

Brandlin, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Mount Veeder
Bright crimson. Red cherry fruit. Sappy and sinewy. Much less sweet than most Napa Cabs. A little dry on the end but a sincere honest wine that is not fighting the vintage. 16.5 pts (highest score for the vintage)

Brandlin, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Mount Veeder
Bright ruby. Minty-sweet Napa but not overripe. Nicely balanced and fresh. Maybe a hint of green on the end? But attractive and appetizing. 17 pts (2nd highest score for the vintage)
Needless to say we were excited about her take on our Brandlin Estate
Cabernet in comparison to these other much higher priced producers.  

Two Fabulous eRobertParker.com Reviews to Share!

2012 Brandlin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Mount Veeder, Napa Valley

"The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Brandlin Estate exhibits a dense purple color, sweet blackberry and cassis fruit, an attractive floral component, impressive purity, and the vintage’s hallmark characteristics of ripe tannin, luxurious texture and medium to full body. Drink it over the next decade."
- Robert M. Parker (10/2014)

90 Points

Retail: 60.00 / Bottle

Learn more and purchase this wine here. 


2012 Brandlin Henry's Keep Proprietary Red Wine
Mount Veeder, Napa Valley

"The sexy 2012 Proprietary Red Blend Henry’s Keep, a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, is a beauty. Its dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by notes of Asian plum sauce, blueberries, cassis and a chocolaty component that emerges with coaxing. Full-bodied, rich, savory, complex and delicious, it should continue to age nicely for 7-10 years."- Robert M. Parker (10/2014) 

91 Points 

Retail: 98.00 / Bottle

Learn more and purchase this wine here. 

"Valentine's Day Gift Guide, What to Get Her"

"Valentine's Day Gift Guide, What to Get Her" 
Men's Journal | February 2015 

"You know what they say: flat wine, flat relationship. Okay, no one says that. But this isn't the time for a bargain bottle. Instead, try this robust red (85 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 9 percent Petit Verdot, and 6 percent Cabernet France); the blend of black cherry, black tea, and caramel is balanced yet complex. $60"

Retail: 60.00 / Bottle

Learn more and purchase here. 

"More Winners for Dinner" - Houston Lifestyles Magazine

"More Winners For Dinner"
Houston Lifestyles Magazine | January 1, 2015

2011 Brandlin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Mount Veeder, Napa Valley

"First planted in the 1920s, Brandlin Vineyard has been nursed and farmed by hand for almost 90 years. It is a certified sustainable vineyard located in the southern Mayacamas range at 1,200’ elevation. The 15 distinct vineyard blocks leverage the site’s diversity of sun exposure, slope and soil. Purchased by Cuvaison Estate Wines in 1998, the Brandlin name live on with the elegant, classy label. Black currants, black cherry, a hint of black tea, followed by a lovely finish. A great new find! $60" 

Retail: 60.00 / Bottle 

Learn more and purchase Purchase Here.