Thursday, December 10, 2015

Conway Family Wines Deep Sea Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Conway Family Wines Deep Sea Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

I wrote in depth about Conway Family Wines recently in this blog and got a kind note from them about my post. For a casual weekend evening of wine, fruit and cheese, we opened Deep Sea Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2009.

As I have written, I found this wine downstate and tasted it, then went back and bought more. I was recently there again and discovered they had another case on the shelves. I was questioned about wines for a holiday party by a colleague and in our discussion I spoke of this wine. As it happened another colleague was downstate and we reached out to him prompting him to go by and buy out the remaining stock from the merchant, which we will split between us. Such it is with these wine finds.

Having only consumed half the bottle several days ago, the remainder of the bottle was open in our wine cooler. When I revisited it tonight, it was as good or even better than it was late last week. Such it is with hearty well structured wines of a half dozen years of age. Interesting, that upon review of my earlier tasting experience, the same thing happened the last time we opened this wine, that it improved upon revisiting the following day!

Here are my notes from the previous but similar tasting of this wine, earlier this year.

Conway Family Wines Deep Sea Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Consistent with earlier blog post. Consider this a Negociant wine since, according to the wine producer, it is sourced from a "number of the finest, well regarded vineyards within Napa AVA’s of Rutherford, Atlas Peak and Pritchard Hill, with each one contributing their unique characteristics to our blend".

According to the producer's release, "the dark fruit notes along with distinctive and pleasant chalky sagebrush notes greet your nose at first. This Cabernet has as plush an entry as we’ve seen in a lot of years. A round, soft, mouth filling wine that shows a smooth backbone of tannins and balanced acidity. The finish wraps up nicely with a lingering reminder of the mature dark fruits, ever so slight a hint of new oak, and the ever present palette of flavors that make Cabernet so sought after!"

This has incredible QPR - quality price ratio, at its price point below $20. The wine producer lists it at $39. 

Opened for casual wine sipping with cheese but its sophisticated enough to be worthy as a perfect compliment to grilled steak dinner. We left half the bottle and it was even better the next day.

Slightly obtuse upon opening but softened and become more balanced and approachable after about an hour. Dark garnet colored, medium to full bodied, full fruit forward black raspberry and cherry fruits with a layer of spice and hints of graphite and tea, turning to tones of mocha with nice balance and smooth polished tannin finish.

RM 90 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1517213

http://www.conwayfamilywines.com/