The finest offering yet from his project with San Francisco 49er hall-of-fame quarterback, Joe Montana, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Montagia (a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc) is superb. From Howell Mountain and Mt. Veeder vineyards, it reveals sumptuous aromas of graphite, boysenberries, blueberries and black currants, a perfumed style, an opulent, full-bodied mouthfeel and admirable purity as well as depth. This beauty can be drunk now or cellared for 20+ years. To the credit of both Sbragia and Montana, much of this wine is donated to charitable foundations. Bigger than life veteran winemaker, musician and general bon vivant, Ed Sbragia continues to turn out a bevy of realistically priced wines that offer great value. To add to the excitement, every one of his 2007 Cabernet Sauvignons performed better out of bottle than it did from barrel - always a sign of top winemaking and reassuring integrity. However, Sbragia, who may have the Midas touch with red varietals (particularly his beloved Zinfandel as well as Cabernet Sauvignon) also knows a thing or two about Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. 2008 is an average quality year for most Zinfandel producers, but Sbragia has transcended the vintage’s challenges. Sbragia is producing five separate Cabernet Sauvignons, and the in-the-bottle notes that follow demonstrate that each of them performed better from the bottle than it did last year from barrel.P.S. I tasted through all the Sbragia 2008 single vineyard Cabernets, including the Wall, Cimarossa, Rancho del Oso, Monte Rosso and the Dry Creek Andolsen vineyard. They all appear to be potentially 90-93 point wines. While they are not as impressive as the 2007s, if they improve as much from barrel to bottle as the 2007s, look for the 2008s to compete with that vintage.Tel. (866) 222-4342
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