Gold Medal- 2011 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Tasting Comments
R&B Cellars is one of the many "urban wineries" that have popped up in the San Francisco Bay area that take advantage of their proximity to the vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, and the rest of the North and Central Coast. While many of these wineries are producing excellent wines, R&B has stood out in our tasting as exceptional not only for the quality of their wines, but also the value for money that they represent. R&B has several inexpensive wines that are wonderful, but their reserve wines really shine, and the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon represents the pinnacle of their production. But at only $35 on WineHeist, it also represents an unbeatable value for Napa Cabernet of this quality.
The 2006 R&B Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from a single vineyard in Calistoga, with vines averaging 35 years of age yielding tiny, concentrated grapes packed with flavor. Ruby plum in color, this reserve Cab shows classic aromas of black cherry, blackberry, and mint. The palate shows blackberry, blueberry, cherry and spice, with firm tannin extending the finish. Spicy with good acid, this wine beautifully shows the character of these aged Cabernet vines. A small (3%) addition of Merlot from the same vineyards adds extra depth and complexity. This Cab is drinking beautifully now, but should age nicely for at least another five years. At this price, this one is going to be sold-out fast, so don't miss the chance to snag some of Napa's finest!
Vineyard
Bingham Ranch - The Bingham Ranch in Calistoga is one of the oldest cabernet vineyards in the Napa Valley, dating back to 1850s. There are three parcels of vines used in our cabernet, one is 55 years old another is 35 years old and the third is 17 years old. It is a small berry clone with very low yields, approximately one and a half tons per acre. The resulting fruit is very intensely flavored with a rich dark blackberry profile that makes intensely structured cabernet sauvignon.
Cellar Practices and Winemaking
Perfectly ripe grapes were harvested in late October early November 2006. They were crushed into a stainless tank and cold soaked at 50°F for 5 days. The temperature was increased to 70°F, and cultured yeast fermentation started and lasted thirty days at a peak temperature of 90°F. The grapes were gently pressed and the resulting wine racked into barrels, which were 100% new French oak 60 gallon barrels from ten different French coopers: Vicard, Seguin Moreau, St. Martin, Billon, Trieul, Ermitage, Boutes, Jarnac, Bel Air and Chalufour.
Winemaker’s Comments
This 2006 R&B Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is an extraordinary wine with remarkable depth and complexity. It exhibits a huge core of dark black cherry fruit with elements of dark black currant, tea, blackberry and violets in the bouquet. The small addition of Merlot enhances the mouthfeel, adds complexity, and a touch of sweet cherries. The flavors of dark black berry, currants, chocolate, and cassis are evident, with a huge juicy blackberry finish. This wine is a classic Cabernet Sauvignon with all of the exotic spice and layers of fruit you would expect from a Reserve wine.
Vineyard: 100% Bingham Ranch, Napa Valley
Composition: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon 4% Merlot
Harvest Date: Oct 27 ~ Nov 4, 2006
Sugar at Harvest: 25.2 Degrees Brix
Total Acid: .69 gm/cl3.37
ph: 3.37
Aging: 22 months in 100% French Oak
Bottling Date: February 2009
Release Date: April 2011
Production: 600 750ml Cases
You may also like:
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
90 Points
Deep garnet in color, with enticing aromas of brandied cherry, lavender, and forest floor. The palate is juicy and engaging with blueberries coursing through with depth and keeps you running back for more. Pure and balanced with perfect levels of acidity with notes of salted caramel, and cocoa. It's ripe silky tannins lead to a long supple finish that just keeps on giving.
94 Points
Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry fruit with notes of earth, firm acid and silky tannins. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.
95 Points
Lofty aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, and plum mingle with hints of baking spices and a touch of violet. The palate reveals luscious flavors of ripe berries, complemented by notes of black pepper and a subtle earthiness. With well-integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.
94 Points
Juice explodes out right of the glass with its dark purple in color and bursting aromas of black cherry jam, boysenberry, raspberry and wild cherry interlaced with hints of baking spice, espresso bean, and toasted nut. The palate is ripe and juicy with flavors of dark cherry, huckleberry and raspberry perfectly integrated with notes of spice, dark chocolate, and a kiss of toasty oak.
93 Points
Dark fruit with blueberry fruit aromas and notes of mocha and cassis. The texture is silky, rich and mouth-filling with berry pie, black tea, exotic spice and notes of chocolate fudge on the palate. Fine grain tannins lengthen the finish with dark fruit flavors mingling with just a hint of mint.
92 Points
Deep garnet core with aromas of crème de cassis, blackberry, dark chocolate and licorice mingle and swirl on the nose. The palate is equally gorgeous with extremely rich cookie, walnut, plum and cassis with a long smooth creamy vanilla finish. This one is aged to perfection and ready to show off.
94 Points
Deep garnet in color from the ripe 2018 vintage, with open aromas of lush fruit – plum, blackberry, and cherry, and notes of cedar, vanilla, and white pepper. Across the palate it's quite seamless and silky, rich and concentrated. The fruit flavors are bold and vibrant. Mouth-filling with smooth tannins, great texture and a long delicious finish.
Exceptional!
Reddish-purple in color with aromas of blackberry, plum, pomegranate, herbs de Provence, and licorice. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry, cassis, and licorice that carries through, with notes of black pepper, mocha and chocolate. Very long, spicy, with a fruit-driven finish. Great aging potential.
92 Points
Rich, bold & spicy. Deep garnet colored in the glass. The nose gives loads of blackberry, plum, fresh raspberry and peppery aromas, while the palate delivers juicy berry compote, cassis, caramel and black pepper flavors before a rich, tannic finish. Four to five years in the cellar will round this out nicely.
Chewy & Ripe!
Dark purplish-black with aromas of ripe black plums, bacon, blackberry jam, and black tea. Dense, chewy and ripe across the palate with a nice mid-palate texture and weight. Rich, structured, and complex, with a long evolving finish.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
PDF