2008 Galante Vineyards Red Rose Hill Cabernet Sauvignon
Mission Codename: High Horse
Operative: Agent Red
Objective: Return to Galante Vineyards in California’s beautiful Carmel Valley and procure an ample allotment their newest Red Rose Hill Cab for our Operatives
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Galante Vineyards
Wine Subject: 2008 Red Rose Hill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker: Greg Vita
Backgrounder: Our loyal Operatives know that we arehuge fans of Galante wines. Whenever we can get our hands on their limited-production wines, we jump at the chance to feature them here. Today, we are proud to bring you Jack Galante’s exceptional new 2007 Red Rose Hill Cabernet Sauvignon. This bright young wine is delicious and ready to enjoy now. Just be certain to buy a few bottles to lay down, and you’ll be rewarded! Read Agent Red’s tasting notes and mission report below to learn more about this superior Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Brilliant magenta hues, from the core of the wine, right out to its brilliant, glinting edge. When spun and held to the light, the magenta coloring takes on an iridescent quality. After the wine settles, tall, skinny, wine-stained legs move swiftly down the glass.
Smell – Lush and alive, this wine exudes black cherry, blackberry, leather, spice and fresh salad herbs. As the wine opens, dried meats, dark sweetwoods, strawberry and black pepper emerge.
Feel – Taught and medium-bodied if sampled right after opening. As the wine breathes, it really softens up, taking on a much more rounded feel. Grippy tannins and a balanced acidity provide the perfect framework from the fruit. A slow, spreading dryness moves from the center of the palate, radiating outward.
Taste – Dark fruit and red fruit of overripe blackberry, plum, black cherry, strawberry, red currant and Bing cherry are balanced against savory herbs, dark cocoa, espresso bean, dried violets, dusty spice and cracked pepper.
Finish – Long, juicy and flavor-filled with dark fruits giving way to red fruits. As the fruits fade, cocoa, espresso bean and spice persist for a long time.
Conclusion – This is the fourth time that The Wine Spies have featured a successive vintage of today’s special wine. We have to say, winemaker, Greg Vita, gets it so right – once again. Today’s 2008 Galante Vaneyards Red Rose Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, from Jack Galante’s own Red Rose Hill vineyard, is a juicy, balanced, flavor-packed treat that will delight Galante fans and fans of big, juicy Cabs, in general. This is a vibrant, delicious wine with just the right amount of intrigue and complexity as to make it exciting and approachable. Pair with a spicy carne asada, fresh off the grill. Be sure to stock up. This wine is drinking beautifully now, but it will only continue to improve over the next several years.
Mission Report
WINEMAKER INTERVIEW
AGENT RED: As always, Jack, thank you so much for allowing us to showcase your wines for these last four-plus years. It has been a pleasure and an honor to get to know you and to have enjoyed your wines.
JACK: Thank you, Agent Red. We love that your Operatives love our wines so much! Tell me, though, when will I finally get my own Agent name?
RED: You have one, already! It’s [REDACTED], but be careful who you reveal this to… Please tell me a little bit about the wine we are featuring today.
JACK: Our 2008 Red Rose Hill Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 76% Cabernet and 8% each of Malbec, Merlot and Petite Sirah. This wine has a lovely aroma of toasted oak and bright flavors of raspberry and currant. age worthy and would easily do well in your cellar for the next 5 to 10 years.
RED: What is your favorite pairing with today’s wine?
JACK: I really enjoy this wine with lamb shanks or braised short ribs.
RED: In your opinion, what makes the Carmel Valley so special?
JACK: Our Carmel Valley Appellation in Monterey County is well known for its fabulous cabernet sauvignons. The region is marked with a big temperature variation in the growing season. Cold crisp nights and warm days make it extremely suitable as a wine growing region as harvest normally occurs in October and November.
RED: What is occupying your time at the winery these days?
JACK: We have been incredibly busy lately. We just finished bottling Dawn’s Dream wines (Dawn Galante started her own brand recently) as well as some of the wines of our custom crush customers. We are also going through the vineyards weeding and suckering. Lots of fun events at the winery are planned for the coming months as well.
RED: Thank you so much for your time. The Wine Spies remain loyal fans.
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of Galante Vineyards can be seen in this satellite photo.