Monticello Vineyards
2008 Monticello Vineyards Jefferson Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon
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Print: Tasting Notes
Tasting Notes:
This wine has a deep and vibrant magenta hue that persists to the edge of the glass. The aromas are very inviting, enticing with tones of dark berry fruits, chocolate and smoky coffee. On the palate the wine makes a bold entrance which is reaffirmed by a strong personality at its core. The mid-palate is big and the wine is nicely framed with chewy tannins that will allow this wine to age gracefully well into the next decade. The finish is long and lingering, this wine will reward the patient decanter.
Decant 30-60 Minutes. I’m enjoying this wine now and feel that it will age well through 2025, perhaps longer.
– Chris Corley, Winemaker -
Cellar Notes
The lots used in this wine were all picked, crushed, fermented and aged separately for the first year. After 12 months in barrels, we began to assemble the cuvee in broad strokes. At each racking cycle (every 3-4 months) we would further blend the wine towards the finished cuvee. The final and finishing touches were blended prior to bottling after 26 months in barrel. I enjoy this method of slow-blending over the course of a year or so, when we are assembling blends from many different components, as it allows each blending cycle some time to marry prior to the next.
Vineyards:
Cabernet Sauvignon: State Lane Vineyard – Yountville, Napa Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon: Tietjen Vineyard on Niebaum Lane – Rutherford, Napa Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon: Yewell Vineyard on Ehlers Lane – St Helena, Napa Valley
Merlot: Home Ranch and Knollwood Vineyard – Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley
Cab Franc: Home Ranch Vineyard – Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley
Cuvee: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon / 12% Merlot / 10% Cabernet Franc
Oak: 22 Months in French Oak, 30% New Alcohol - 14.2%
Vintage
Winegrowers across Napa Valley met the challenges of a crazy weather year, harvesting fruit with incredible concentration which, by all accounts, is showing 2008 as a low-yielding, yet high-quality vintage from Napa Valley. Mother Nature may have lightened the load in the vineyard, but what’s being revealed in the winery is very well structured, concentrated, elegant wines. -
Barbecue Sauce for Spareribs
Braised Veal with Portobella Mushrooms, Celery Root, and Toasted Pecans
Chipotle Cheese Puffs
Flank Steak Sauerbraten Style with Red Cabbage
Fresh Tuna Fillet with Encrusted Spices
Grilled Flank Steak with Corn, Tomato and Asparagus Salad
Grilled Napa Valley Vegetable Pasta Salad
Grilled Pork Chops with Apple Salsa
Monticello Stuffed Mushroom Caps
Moroccan Slow Cooked Lamb
Multicolored-Pepper Steaks with Balsamic Onions
New York Strip Steak
Orzo Pilaf
Roasted Asparagus
Roasted Sonoma Duck Breast with Spring Vegetables and Herb Spätzle in Broth
Stuffed Flank Steak
Teriyaki Glazed Pepper Steaks
Wild Mushroom Sauté