The SOMM Journal

October/November 2014

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42 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014 { cellar view } TEXAS-BORN ANN COLGIN MAY HAVE STARTED in the art and auction world, but the moment she established her own Napa winery in 1992—making wine from purchased grapes in a rented facility—she sealed her fate as one of California Cabernet's biggest stars. In the 22 years since, Colgin has worked with a handful of iconic vineyard sites, built an elegant winery and found her partner in wine, Joe Wender—a Goldman Sachs partner, whom she married on September 9, 2000— hence the name of her most famous vineyard, "IX." Our tasting took place on July 30, 2014 at my offices in Pacific Palisades, California. The panel consisted of Karen Moneymaker, Senior Editor, The SOMM Journal; Jeff Anderson, Sommelier at Craft, Los Angeles; Paul Roberts, President, Colgin Cellars; and myself. HERB LAMB VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON Colgin purchased the fruit from the top seven rows of this Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard from 1992 to 2007. 1994 Herb Lamb Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon production: 500 cases; current secondary market retail: $575 (average); winemaker: Helen Turley Intense, rich and earthy with lovely perfume and tangy acidity; juicy, floral and balanced; vivacious with notes of smoke. Jeff Anderson: "Wonderfully aromatic; still youthful, gravelly, elegant." Paul Roberts: "Violets and plums." Group rating: 94. Drink now –2030. 1997 Herb Lamb Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon production: 500 cases; current secondary market retail: $670 (average); winemaker: Helen Turley Soft and fragrant; silky and toasty with savory notes of earth and spice; fresh and racy with lovely struc - ture; seamless with notes of coffee and herbs. Karen Moneymaker: "Massive structure, lush ripe fruit (but tight and long acidity); pencil shavings, iron." Paul A VERTICAL FROM COLGIN CELLARS PROVES THAT THESE GORGEOUS WINES HAVE STAYING POWER by Anthony Dias Blue / photos by Dustin Downing Our panel deep in concentration and appreciation with the Colgin line-up A vertical of the Colgin Herb Lamb Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, which was made from 1992 through 2007. Napa Knockouts

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