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2009 Maroon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Cabernet Sauvignon • California • Napa Valley • Coombsville • Red Wine
When someone gives me a bottle of wine and says it's the best they've ever had, the experience rarely lives up to the hype. So I was naturally skeptical when Paul Maroon of Maroon Wines approached me about his 2009 Reserve Cabernet, insisting that it was the best the winery had ever made.
Well, he wasn't kidding. This was one of the tastiest 100-percent Cabernets to touch my lips in some time, and one that all Napa Cabernet collectors and fans read more...
When someone gives me a bottle of wine and says it's the best they've ever had, the experience rarely lives up to the hype. So I was naturally skeptical when Paul Maroon of Maroon Wines approached me about his 2009 Reserve Cabernet, insisting that it was the best the winery had ever made.Read more...
When someone gives me a bottle of wine and says it's the best they've ever had, the experience rarely lives up to the hype. So I was naturally skeptical when PaulRead more...
When someone gives me a bottle of wine and says it's the best they've ever had, the experience rarely lives up to the hype. So I was naturally skeptical when Paul Maroon of Maroon Wines approached me about his 2009 Reserve Cabernet, insisting that it was the best the winery had ever made.
Well, he wasn't kidding. This was one of the tastiest 100-percent Cabernets to touch my lips in some time, and one that all Napa Cabernet collectors and fans should pounce on.
Maroon Wines came onto the scene with the 2006 vintage and consistently produced wines of great texture, depth and refinement. Its secrets to success are winemaker Chris Corley, who brings more than 20 years of wine experience to the cellar, and the estate vineyard on Hagen Road.
Located on the gentle eastern slopes of the Coombsville AVA, Napa Valley's newest appellation, Maroon Vineyard has long been a trusted source for several of Napa's iconic wines, including Joseph Phelps' award-winning Insignia. With cooler temperatures and a longer growing season than most of Napa, this vineyard produces fruit with an unusual amount of structure, texture and aromatics, qualities highly coveted in a blending and support role.
But as Maroon has proved, the grapes stand supremely well on their own. In 2006, he discontinued his contracts for fruit and gave the vineyard a starring role in its own bottling. It was a wise move. Maroon has produced one of the most remarkable Cabs coming out of Napa.
Vineyards such as Maroon and wines such as its 2009 Reserve Cabernet helped Coombsville earn appellation status, and the region will certainly enjoy more of the spotlight soon. Until then, I recommend grabbing a couple bottles of Maroon while prices from this up-and-coming hot spot remain reasonable.
Tasting Note
I am simply shocked that this wine is 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. Rarely do I find Cabs with this depth, concentration, balance and aromatic complexity without blending support. The wine is highly aromatic, with dried violet, ripe dark plumb, currant, ground coffee, flint, cocoa nibs and dried coconut. Full-bodied and robust, it falls on the drier side on the palate, showing notes of black olive, black tea and delicate mineral notes with sweet and moderate tannins and a healthy dose of acidity that keeps the experience lively. The cellar life of this wine is about 15 years. Purchase several bottles, and experience its evolution over time, paired with quality steak.
Devin Andolsen grew up in vineyards, helping build and plant his family's 11 acres in Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley. He has over eight years of experience as a professional in the wine world, including four years in fine dining, as well as helping manage a small international distributor out of San Francisco and, most recently, managing Constellation's Fine Wine division for Northern California. He's also a professional wine judge. Follow Devin on Twitter: @IDevino
More About Paul Maroon
Paul Maroon became interested in wine over 40 years ago. He visited Napa as often as possible through the years, and finally in 2000 he realized his dream and relocated to the Napa Valley from Portola Valley, Calif. (Silicon Valley). Here he began his life as a vintner. He has been growing grapes and making fine wines in Napa ever since.
In addition to his own Maroon label, he was also growing grapes and producing wine for Crauford Wine Company. Paul took over total responsibility for Crauford in 2006 when Crauford's founder retired. In addition to grape growing and wine production, Paul became responsible for all marketing and sales activities of the Crauford Wines.
—From the Maroon Wines Website
More About the New Coombsville AVA
"The US government [in December 2011] approved a new American Viticultural Area - Coombsville in Napa County, Calif.
The new 11,075-acre (4,484ha) Coombsville appellation east of the City of Napa becomes the 16th AVA in Napa County.
Long known as an ideal spot for growing grapes, today some 20 wineries are producing wines within this sparsely populated region.
Bordered by Oak Knoll District to the northwest, Los Carneros to the southwest, Wild Horse Valley to the east and Solano County's Green Valley to the southeast, Coombsville is cooler than some nearby areas but with a very long growing season. Indeed, many vintners harvested grapes into November of [2011].
Jason Alexander, general manager of the new AVA's Meteor Vineyards said, 'Because of its proximity to San Pablo Bay, Coombsville's climate is quite moderate, allowing the grapes to ripen over a long period of time producing very ripe fruit characteristics without the sugar and corresponding alcohol levels typical of other valley wines.'
Generally hilly with vineyards at varying elevations, the area is wind-protected by ridges of knolls and mountains. The soil is a mix of ancient volcanic ash and rocky alluvial soils: ideal for the production of elegant red wines, critics say."
—Bob Ecker, Decanter (Dec. 2011)
Availability
This product ships to the following states:
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
