Cosentino Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Auction Reserve Hoopes Ranch Vineyard

Same tasting as collector. Double blind. For me another slight step down from the 07 Valbuena preceding it. Sweeter and lacking freshness, a little tired in my eyes (or perhaps that was me being tired). Guessed South America, perhaps a mature Sena or alike.

Tasted blind. After the Vega Sicilia Valbuena No5 this was yet another step up in sweetness. We were all guessing new World CabSav. This wine felt too sweet for my palate, but after this bottle an Amarone was served which was even more over the top. Interestingly, when I then went back to this wine my palate was somehow re-calibrated by the Amarone and the 14.6% CabSav did not feel so sweet all of a sudden. What is nice with …

Similar to most blends, fruit forward nicer than some, opened up after 1 hr.

Full throttle California cabernet. Huge fruit, smoke and earth create a balance and complexity. Great juice. A monster.