I fell in love with this Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon since tasting it way back in 1995.
To the best of my knowledge, this wine is made by the elder Bernard Portet.
The brother of Dominique Portet of Taltarni fame. Portet’s father, Andre, was the technical director of one of the world’s most famous wineries, Chateau Lafite.
It would be easy to say that the Portet family know their way around a good Cabernet Sauvignon.
In the glass: Dark fruit, brooding, almost staining the glass.
On the nose: Aromas of violet and blackberry-soaked oak and a little spice waft from the glass as you swirl the wine.
In the mouth: Red rich plum, violet and lavender notes are intertwined with the oak as they wash across the palate, supported by sweet dark fruit notes that drift in and out with the crunch of red fruit acidity flowing to a long mouth-filling finish.
Wine is already enjoyable. However, it needs a few more years before you pull the cork, then I would give it up to 10 years in the cellar.
The Food: The wine is bold with good tannins and acidity, and for myself, requires roast beef rather than lamb with mint sauce.
Although I’m sure many would argue my choice of meat.
As I have always stated, lamb and Cabernet Sauvignon are a match made in Heaven! However, this Cabernet Sauvignon is from Napa Valley and is different to that of our beloved Coonawarra!
Michael Lillis
