Last night I made a Pork Loin and we sampled a Napa Cab against a French Bordeaux with similar years and price points.
First was the 2019 Beau Vigne Juliet Cabernet Sauvignon. It was deep garnet/purple in color. On the nose it was Black fruit forward, definitely oaked with a vanilla sweetness. On the palate, plump, juicy, concentrated black fruit, cassis, black current, chocolate, floral with an earthy, herbal forest floor lasting finish. Overall this wine was silky, bold and structured and while Organic it was a little heavily oaked for my taste. I rated this Cab a 4.0 or 90 pts.
The second wine was similar in color as the first. However, on the nose, was representative of old world, more specifically, I could tell it was from France. It was a 2017 Le Petit Haut Lafitte Bordeaux blend primarily Cab with 60% and 40% merlot. Being this is mostly Cab, we know this is from the left bank of France. The wine is known for its elegance and style, with aromas of black fruits, cassis, and subtle notes of vanilla and toast from being aged in oak. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, with a smooth texture and fine tannins. The flavors are a blend of black and red fruits, floral and earthy notes with hints of spice and tobacco. The finish is long, with a smooth balance between fruit and oak. For this beauty, I gave a rating of 4.3 or 93 pts. I thought it was interesting that the Napa Cab was 15.8% alcohol whereas the Bordeaux blend was 13.5%.
