A. Rafanelli
Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Compelling on the first pour but best on day two and boy, was it rockin’. A drop dead gorgeous nose of red and dark fruits, tobacco, dusty earth and baking spices. The palate is equally generous with perfectly ripened fruit and all of the aforementioned non-fruit characteristics. Superb balance. The finish is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid and forever long. The texture…is like chinchilla fur. It’s wonderful now but it’s best with significant air. Drink now with patience or sometime over the next 15 years. One of the more memorable Rafanelli Cabernets I’ve had in a while…and that says a lot.
Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Compelling on the first pour but best on day two and boy, was it rockin’. A drop dead gorgeous nose of red and dark fruits, tobacco, dusty earth and baking spices. The palate is equally generous with perfectly ripened fruit and all of the aforementioned non-fruit characteristics. Superb balance. The finish is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid and forever long. The texture…is like chinchilla fur. It’s wonderful now but it’s best with significant air. Drink now with patience or sometime over the next 15 years. One of the more memorable Rafanelli Cabernets I’ve had in a while…and that says a lot.
Jul 6th, 2022
Excellent wine. Color showed no sign of age, dark edge to edge. The nose had a lot going on; lead pencil, berries, licorice and others. The taste was full with a nice long smooth finish. Now on to 2016s.
Excellent wine. Color showed no sign of age, dark edge to edge. The nose had a lot going on; lead pencil, berries, licorice and others. The taste was full with a nice long smooth finish. Now on to 2016s.
Straight up Cab, aging beautifully with a lot of dark fruits. Smooth as silk start to finish.
Straight up Cab, aging beautifully with a lot of dark fruits. Smooth as silk start to finish.
Mar 9th, 2024Hosted my wine group (SJOS) and this was part of my Cab-ish theme tasting.
Hosted my wine group (SJOS) and this was part of my Cab-ish theme tasting.
Sep 13th, 2022
Took an hour to open up. Dark, chewy delicious cab. TraditionL style not silky style. A real buy.
Took an hour to open up. Dark, chewy delicious cab. TraditionL style not silky style. A real buy.
Dec 3rd, 2019Smooth, ready to drink, dark fruit, spirited finish
Smooth, ready to drink, dark fruit, spirited finish
Sep 9th, 2019
Well balanced and medium tannins.
Paired with a market steak and artichoke.
Well balanced and medium tannins.
Paired with a market steak and artichoke.
From Walter Kolligs on 12/15/18 from his visit there with son Ben.
From Walter Kolligs on 12/15/18 from his visit there with son Ben.
Dec 16th, 2018