Wine Last Sold on: December 6, 2012
J Doran Vineyards
Featured Wine:
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
| Varietal: | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Region: | California: Napa Valley |
| Avg. Price: | $38.00 |
| Wine Spies: | $27.99 |
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SUPERIOR WINE ALERT:
We only showcase wines that we love. While our emphasis is on quality first, every now and again we come across a real standout wine that rises above. When we do, we issue alerts like this one.
Mission Codename: Big Papa
- Operative
- Agent Red
- Objective
- Return to J Doran Vineyards, a winery that is very popular with our Operatives, and secure an ample allotment - in time for Holiday delivery.
- Mission Status
- Accomplished!
- Winemaker
- Chris Doran
Final Assessment
Today’s 2010 J Doran Cabernet Sauvignon, from our friend, winemaker Chris Doran, delivers a big, bold and decidedly delicious Napa Valley Cabernet experience.
This is a generous and under-priced wine that is showing well now - but will really continue to improve and evolve for the next several years.
Youthful and a little shy, at first, decant this wine for at least 30 minutes - or ‘beat it up’ by giving it a hearty bout of swirling, and you’ll be rewarded with a softer feel and more tender fruit flavors.
Dark and rich, we recommend pairing this wine with something sturdy, like a seared skirt steak in a bordelaise sauce with wild mushrooms.
Tasting Profile
Very deep, dark burgundy, and opaque from core to edge. After swirling, the glass becomes wine-stained with thick and slow-moving legs.
Complex herbal notes, primarily of thyme and sage, leap from the glass. Notes of concentrated fruit overtones with a soft coating of rich currant. After you let the wine breathe, deeper layers of classic dark red fruit and sweet tobacco emerge.
Full bodied on the palate with mild tannins. Gradually plush and rich, this wine starts off a little tight but opens up nicely after some decanting.
Initial notes of dark mixed berries, dusty bramble and dried cranberry. This youthful Cabernet is tight and compactly structured with a balanced acidity. As the wine begins to open up, undertones of tobacco and orchard fruits appear.
Medium-long if enjoyed right out of the bottle. Decant the wine and the finish extends, offering up dark fruits that slowly yield to subtle graphite and dark spice.
What the Winery Says
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines from the southern block of the Yountville Vineyard have produced a classic Yountville Appellation wine. Immediately noticeable in the glass are the soaring aromas of crème de cassis, warm saddle leather, slate-like minerality and subtle notes of tightly grained French oak. True to its vintage roots, the palate is powerful and concentrated yet also displays a measure of grace and an amazing mouthfeel. Blackberry and other briary fruit notes glide across the palate while carrying hints of camphor, dark chocolate, cedar and sandalwood.
Varietal Composition
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot.
Aging
Aged 19 months in French oak
Cases Produced
50 cases
About the Winery
J Doran Vineyards is a boutique regional producer of quality, hand crafted artisan wines. Started in 2004 by Christopher Doran, J Doran wines is an example of how “one small thing can lead to another”…
J Doran Vineyards creates great quality wines that you want to share with friends and family. J Doran Wines blend great quality, a relaxed flavor and feel, perfect for enjoying with a great meal, or a great time.
Located in the historic Napa Valley, J Doran Vineyards creates regional flavor while using the premium grapes and quality winemaking skills found only in the California Napa valley wine country.
