Leese - Fitch

2008 California Cabernet Sauvignon

Notes

Deep ruby in color, this 2008 blend has aromas of roasted peppers, black cherries, savory dill, and toasted cedar plank. The palate is full of blackberry fruit, cherry reduction, orange marmalade, marjoram, and dark brown sugar. This blend has very good weight with layers of fruit balanced with mid-palate structure. The wine finishes with nuances of Mexican dark chocolate, dried cranberry, Tahitian vanilla bean, and molasses with toasty French and American oak nuances. The base wine for the Cabernet comes from 2 vineyards in Paso Robles and one vineyard in Monterey. The Paso Robles fruit from the East side of town grows on a sloping hillside that gets great sun exposure in the afternoon. This allows the fruit extra exposure to sunlight, which gives the fruit increased sugar content and development. This fruit was harvested in early October, with great body as well as intense blackberry fruit notes. The Monterey fruit is very concentrated with lots of tannin and structure. We blended in a little of each Lodi and River Junction Merlot to soften the mouthfeel and add jammy blueberry nuances. A dab of Ruby Cab for color and Syrah for an herbal edge completes this blend.

Pairings

This blend would pair very well with rich dishes such as slow braised beef short ribs with glazed carrots and asiago mashed potatoes or lamb kabobs with a feta, heirloom tomato, and kalamata olive salad. Also consider trying with either Korean BBQ with pickled vegetables, or shredded steak enchiladas smothered in mole sauce along with refried black beans.