2002 Cabernet Sauvignon

“Performing better than ever, Seavey’s 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon… comes from dry farmed vineyards tucked on the hillsides of Conn Valley, behind the famous Meadowood Resort. This vineyard’s history goes back to the 1870s. The 2002 was tight and tannic when first released (not unusual for young Seavey Cabernet Sauvignons), but it has sweetened up beautifully. The color remains an opaque, murky plum/garnet/purple and the bouquet reveals notes of volcanic scorched earth, melted chocolate, licorice and a jus de viande smell (or is it bouquet garni?). Full-bodied and rich with tell-tale cassis, blackberries, plums and foresty notes, this massive, masculine wine is built for those with cold cellars and long lifelines. Forget it for another 5-10 years and drink it over the following 25. It is no doubt a 50-year wine.” -Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (June 2012) 97 points

Tasting Notes

Rich and concentrated, this full-bodied wine has a nose of currant, dark chocolate and cigar box. The palate presents a complex flavor profile of dark fruits, anise, tobacco, leather and smoke. Very rounded in the mouth with a long finish — a classic Napa Cabernet built for the ages.

Ratings

Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (June 2012) 97 points
“Performing better than ever, Seavey’s 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon…was made by French winemaking consultant, Philippe Melka. This cuvee comes from dry farmed vineyards tucked on the hillsides of Conn Valley, behind the famous Meadowood Resort. This vineyard’s history goes back to the 1870s. The 2002 was tight and tannic when first released (not unusual for young Seavey Cabernet Sauvignons), but it has sweetened up beautifully. The color remains an opaque, murky plum/garnet/purple and the bouquet reveals notes of volcanic scorched earth, melted chocolate, licorice and a jus de viande smell (or is it bouquet garni?). Full-bodied and rich with tell-tale cassis, blackberries, plums and foresty notes, this massive, masculine wine is built for those with cold cellars and long lifelines. Forget it for another 5-10 years and drink it over the following 25. It is no doubt a 50-year wine.”

Vineyard Notes

Seavey’s 13th estate-produced Cabernet, the 2002, was made from grapes that came from vines planted in several different locations of the south-facing hillside vineyard. The growing conditions of 2002 exceeded expectations. Good quantities of rain occurred during the preceding winter, and a long Spring and even-tempered summer allowed the grapes to develop slowly and take all the nourishment that the soil and sun had to offer. The grapes were harvested in late September from vines planted in several different locations of the generally South-facing Seavey hillside vineyard.

Production Notes

Winemaking style followed classic Bordeaux methods. The grapes were sorted, destemmed and gently lifted into small tanks for fermentation. Following fermentation, the wine was aged for 19 months in French oak barrels (50% new oak) and bottled in June 2004.

100% ESTATE GROWN, PRODUCED & BOTTLED, NAPA VALLEY AVA