The 2005 Crane Brothers Cabernet is dark ruby in color. The nose is opulent with black cherry and currant, with subtle hints of mint and floral notes that keep the fruit from being overly dominant. The palate echoes the nose, yet is lighter with Bing cherry and red currant, along with plum and a vaguely herbal lift on the finish. There is a small amount of Merlot (10%) blended in, which is probably the source of the plum, as well the lush mouth-feel. Thanks to the cool hillside microclimate, this Cabernet is rich and powerful, yet clocks in at just 13.8% alcohol, which results in a beautifully precise, balanced and elegant wine that lingers on the palate. This is definitely a ripe wine, but it is also varietally true, capturing the essence of Cabernet: power and finesse. Thanks to the low alcohol level, this will pair with a wide variety of food, and it is also great with soft, rich cheese.
We have all heard it said that you can’t get good Cabernet from Napa for less than $50. Wines like this prove that this is simply not true; there are still family producers out there paying close attention to small vineyards and making beautiful, expressive wines. And when you go through WineHeist, you can get them for under $30! This is a great bargain, and you’ll be happy you have some on hand the next time someone says Napa wines have to be expensive.
Grape Sourcing: Crane Ranch Vineyard, Oak Knoll Appellation
Varietal Composition: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon & 10% Merlot
Alcohol: 13.8%
Winemaking: Hand harvested in cool morning hours Fermented in small temperature controlled tanks Hand sorted & cold soaked for 48 hours
Harvest Date: October 27th
Cooperage: 20 months of aging in French Oak barrels (60% new oak)
Production: 297 Cases
95 Points
Aromas of wild berries, black fig and ripe dark fruits are intertwined with hints of fresh mountain herbs, mineral, leather, savory spices, and cigar box. On the palate, the rich fruit flavors of dark cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, red currants and cassis are layered with notes of wild sage, dark chocolate truffle, cinnamon, clove, and a kiss of oak.
94 Points
Opens with an aromatic burst of black cherry jam, wild huckleberry, and a hint of crushed espresso bean. On the palate, the fruit is lush and primary, but it's the secondary notes—toasted nutmeg, dark chocolate truffle, and the signature 'Dry Creek Dust'—that provide a long, savory finish.
