A bold, juicy Cabernet Sauvignon from Joel Gott Wines…
If you enjoy big, fruit-forward Cabernet Sauvignon, look no further than this offering from Joel Gott Wines in Napa Valley, California. Well-balanced, complex, and well-made, this new world red offers plenty of aromas, most notably vanilla and cooked fruit, as well as an array of flavours, including sweet spices, cooked cherries and plums, and a hint of toffee. Apparently, this red is aged in 25% new American oak, although we didn’t detect much in the way of green cedar or sap. Saying that, the charring of the oak likely enhanced the vanilla notes.
This wine paired very well with grilled filet mignon, garlic mash potatoes, and grilled asparagus, not to mention a savoury sauce au jus. The saltiness of the food accentuated the fruit flavours, which will appeal to many. We could also see this Cabernet Sauvignon pairing well with roasted lamb, dark chocolate, or aged gouda.
The bottle, in classic Joel Gott fashion, comes across as classy, yet understated. Although we paid $12 for one glass in a restaurant (quite the markup, frankly), at $16 USD per bottle, it represents good value for the quality of the offering.
Rating (from 70 to 100): 85/100
Value: 4/5 (for the bottle)
The Bottle Details…
Name: Joel Gott Cabernet Sauvignon 815
Vintage: 2015
Producer: Joel Gott Wines
Region/Country: Napa Valley, California, United States
Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol content: 13.9%
Consumed: At the Trio Grill in Falls Church, Virginia (An outstanding steakhouse with exceptional service located on the outskirts of Washington, D.C… We highly recommend it!)
Recommended By: Picked it off the wine list at the Trio Grill
Cost: $12 USD per glass, although we found it for an average price of $16 USD on www.wine-searcher.com
Bottle Presentation: A simple, classy, understated label, that might get lost on the shelf, especially with other bolder, more contemporary labels.
The Tasting Details…
Appearance: Deep purple-ruby.
Nose: A medium nose, with prominent vanilla, cooked dark fruit (plums and cherries), spices (mainly allspice), and a hint of leather.
Taste: A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, with medium, grippy tannins and medium-high acidity. In the mouth, we had more vanilla and spices, which complemented the cooked cherries and plums. We also had some sweet toffee notes.
Finish: A long finish of vanilla and cooked red fruit.