TN: Herzog SR Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

[Gabriel Geller]

Had this wine (first time) with dinner last night, very nice.

Herzog, Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2008: Dark garnet, medium to full-bodied but concentrated enough, ripe and fresh red and black fruit on the nose as well as vanilla. On the palate this fruit-forward wine provides an array of forest berries with plenty of black and red currants as well as black cherries and blackberries, sweet oak, good acidity and a nice show of vanilla, dark chocolate and coffee with soft tannins leading to a long and round mouth-filling finish. A little bit on the sweet side but I liked it very much and it paired well with a rare cooked sirloin steak.

Best,

GG

[Jon Tabak]

I've been through about 18-20 bottles of this over the last year, so I agree

[Andrew Breskin]

Agreed that this is a great wine and value. In the past these have held on for many years as well. What's the future for this vintage?

[Gary J]

Gotta love the good vibes going for the Alexander Valley Cab!

Funny thing is I actually preferred the '07 & now sort of prefer the '09 to the '08 vintage. Reminds me a bit of the Capcanes discussion, but I think '07 & '09 have a tighter structure than the '08 which is very accessible & fruity but might lack the ageability...but that is pure speculation on my part...only time will tell...

[Jon Tabak]

Gary - It's on my slutty list

[Andrew Breskin]

Funny thing is I actually preferred the '07 & now sort of prefer the '09 to the '08 vintage. Reminds me a bit of the Capcanes discussion, but I think '07 & '09 have a tighter structure than the '08 which is very accessible & fruity but might lack the ageability...but that is pure speculation on my part...only time will tell...

08 was a more accessible vintage for North Coast in general. Man, I still wish I had some more 2006s.

[Gary J]

Gary - It's on my slutty list

I was thinking of you as I wrote my post Jon!!

[Yehoshua Werth]

First thing that comes to mind is smooth slightly oaKY JAM..

aNYONE GOT SOME BREAD.. LOVE TO SPREAD HOW THIS SMELLS ON A (SNWCH)... nOTICE THE COMPRESSION OF THE LETTERS so as to leave room to drink the wine

[Jonathan K]

Gary - It's on my slutty list

I was thinking of you as I wrote my post Jon!!

I am still having trouble with this descriptor. If I drink this wine, will I feel like I am cheating on my other wines?

[Adam N]

Are 2008 and 2009 still Mevushal?
I have 1, 2006 left, and am wondering about the longevity of it.
Also have some H.R. C.Z.S. 2007. Same concern. Any recent experiences with these specific vintages?

[Gabriel Geller]

This 2008 was indeed mevushal but since Herzog use a similar process as Hagafen, I wouldn't be too worried about their longevity. I know that Dave Raccah would not agree with me here at least with many of the Herzog SR 2006 but all my most recent experiences (a few bottles over the past 6 months) were very good to excellent.

[David Raccah]

I had the 2006 Herzog Napa Cab recently and that was average to good and, in my opinion, not getting better. The Alexander is always good and always yummy, just do not know if it has the lasting power, but I could not say.

[Adam N]

What about the C.Z.S. 2007?