Last night, we were among the privileged few who get to do a full vertical tasting of seven vintages of Waterstone Cabernet with owner Brent Shortridge. Waterstone is a wine we love so much here at Sokolin both for its high quality (made from grapes sourced from undisclosed top "Cult" properties in Napa) and for its low, low price. What an experience! Each vintage was unmistakably Waterstone, but so different in the nuances on the nose and on the palate. Interestingly, different staffers had different favorites. This tasting meant a lot to everyone here as we were the first retailer to launch the debut vintage of 2001 back in 2003.
2001
The nose of this wine and the expression of fruit is so powerful it would be easy to mistake for a back-vintage Bordeaux. Soft layers of cassis and strawberries dominate the nose up front and a subtle hint of eucalyptus and oak finish off nose. On the palate the wine is luscious and smooth and offers red fruits and berries and a finish that lasts for over 30 seconds. A delicate hint of tobacco leaf and ever so soft elements of tar are also presented on the back of your palate. Bravo!
2002
2002 is a gorgeous wine with a deep ruby/purple color and a nose full of blackberries, vanilla, and hints of toasted brioche. Extremely supple and silky mouthfeel with loads of black raspberry and a touch of mint. Drinking perfectly now and still plenty of life ahead of it...a real treat!
2003
The 2003 is a stunning wine, with melted licorice, plums, black currants dark cherries and vanilla on the nose. On the palate you can't help but notice the silky tannins, amazing balance and plush finish.
2004
Displaying the aromas that we have come to recognize as being distinctly "Waterstone", deep black currant and toasty vanilla oak with some raspberry and cherry. What we really enjoy about Waterstone is that what you get in the nose you get on the palate - classic Napa Cabernet Sauvignon flavors, currant, blackberry and cherry. A beautiful finish of faint vanilla and a little bit of cherry cola right at the end. Everything is in balance and proportion with plenty of depth and structure to support the lush fruit.
2005
The 2005 Waterstone is a favorite at Sokolin for good reason. This balanced Cabernet is a deep purple color and has a sweet nose of black currents, vanilla and cedar. The texture is silky with black cherries and ripe plums presenting well on the palate. The grapes in 2005 benefitted from a long growing season with little heat spikes and were picked at optimum ripeness. This was one of the most popular wines we have ever sold.
2006
2006 was a relatively cool vintage allowing grapes extended hangtime for fully developed flavor. In turn, it's the vintage with the highest percentage of Merlot since the classic 2001 vintage. Classic Waterstone traits of currant, black cherry and cedary oak are accompanied by a core of plum that is enveloped by notes of licorice and melted fudge on the firm tannic finish. Much like the '01 when it was first tasted, the '06 is a vintage that needs a bit more cellar time. In four to six months the 2006 should really hit its stride.
2007
2007 Waterstone reveals the near perfect balance this vintage has achieved. Every single person on our tasting panel was blown away by this wine. Blueberry liquor, black raspberry, crème de cassis, crushed rock and violet aromas jump from the glass of this extremely fragrant Cabernet. This possessed some of the silkiest tannins we've ever seen in such a young vintage. Supple and complex on the palate with outstanding texture, full bodied richness, great depth and purity and a finish that lasts for 90+seconds! This wine is absolutely stunning and not to be missed. It is undoubtedly the finest vintage of Waterstone we've ever tasted on release.