The 2007 vintage in California has been receiving rave reviews everywhere. Wine Spectator's November 15th issue has posted its comprehensive list for California Cabs and scored the 2007 Napa vintage a chart topping 99pts. Parker has been applauding the '07 North Coast Cabernet for almost 2 years now, stating "this has turned out to be the greatest vintage since 2001 or 2002 for the Bordeaux varietals in Napa."
With that in mind, we decided to search for a stash of great juice from one of the latter two vintages. Of the choices we found, it was no surprise the 2002 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon Napa was a clear takedown. As a winery, many of our clients that collected through the '90s equate Etude with Caymus, Dominus, Insignia and Silver Oak. As a vintage, 2002 again and again has been coined rich, dense, powerful, complex and forward. Our recent tasting of the '02 Etude confirmed this.
Aromas of black currant and flowers were accompanied by dark fudge and tar. A core of ripe fruit was enveloped by mocha and pain grille. A slightly spicy note and firm tannins were apparent on the long finish. The wine is fun to drink now yet definitely has the structure to last another decade. Overall, the staff felt Parker's initial score of 93 was more appropriate than his 91, and many preferred Spectator's 94 points to that.
With a Release Price of $90, our Sokolin Price of $84.95 for this back-vintage beauty is solid and I highly suggest grabbing some up before our recent acquisition dwindles away.