The Power of 2007

I’m sure by now you have heard it from someone, or have read somewhere that the 2007 vintage in California was exceptional. I always have my doubts when hearing such statements made, but now that many ‘07s are starting to show up in the market, I’ve been able to assess them for myself…..and I am now starting to believe the hype. Here are some quotes from wine critics about the 2007 vintage in California:

“I expected 2007 to be a great year for California wine, and indeed it's shaping up that way across the board for all varietals. What separates the truly great years from this best is that the top producers make grand wines, and wineries that normally produce good-to-very good wines rise up a notch or two. As the saying goes, "a rising tide lifts all boats" -- or, in this case, all wines.” – James Laube – The Wine Spectator Blog

“The 2007 vintage has yielded not just outstanding Pinots and Chardonnays, but Syrah and Zinfandel as well. With the superb 2007 growing season, California enjoyed yet another strong year, probably the most complete vintage since 2002 for the North Coast.” – Stephen Tanzer – The International Wine Cellar – Issue #144

“This has turned out to be the greatest vintage since 2001 or 2002 for the Bordeaux varietals in Napa. The wines display extraordinary fragrance and gorgeously seamless personalities, with sweet noble tannins as well as terrific concentration and length. It is a very exciting vintage, with more alcohol than 2005, but slightly less alcohol than 2002 or 2001. The wines should be approachable young because of the sweetness of the tannins.” – Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate – Issue #180

So as you can see, everybody agrees on the 2007 vintage. Now with that out of the way, here is the true first example of just how good the $20 Cabernets will taste. The 2007 Johnson Family Napa Valley Cabernet is made by Kirk Venge, who’s father, Nils Venge is the man who crafted the first ever California Cabernet to receive a perfect 100-point score from Robert Parker…..the 1985 Groth Family Reserve Cabernet.

It really just shows you how good the wines in this price are truly going to be, and just how much better the more expensive ones are going to taste. Get excited for this vintage, because as a wine consumer, this is going to be the vintage that will not disappoint while going easy on your wallet.” - Jason Fiore – Suburban Wine’s California Cabernet Wine Buyer

Tasting Note: The 2007 Johnson Family Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits an opaque purple color as well as a big, blackberry and floral-scented perfume offering notions of creme de cassis, spice box, and luscious licorice with sweet tannins and a full body structure. Beautifully opulent, full-bodied, and forward. It is drinking so well now, so why wait? It will also age very well.