Trinchero Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, “Mario’s Reserve”, Napa Valley Estate 1999 ($45)
Trinchero was started in the late 1990’s by the Sutter Home Winery to create an ultra-premium brand for their best wines. When I was in college, I remember tasting some interesting reserve Zinfandels at Sutter Home and presumably the vineyard sources from some of their best wines of old are now marketed under the Trinchero brand. Today Trinchero Winery is among 15 other wineries in the Trinchero Family Estates line which is dominated by mass scale brands like Sutter Home, Trinity Oaks and Three Thieves.
This wine is deep garnet in color with purple edges. Blackberry, black currant and licorice aromas. In the mouth it has more of a mixture of black currant and bramble fruit with black pepper finishing with medium tannins. Going into it’s eighth year, this wine still has plenty of fruit and structure for longer term aging. Overall, a smooth and satisfying Napa Cab that I would recommend decanting right now.
13.5% ABV
Natural cork closure
Score: 9/10
I discovered this one back in 2004 when a stock clerk dropped a bottle at Trader Joe’s. The aroma engulfed the store, and I bought a case. They had it for $7/bottle back then (sigh). It’s still my all time favorite Cab. Smooth and velvety on the mouth, and perfectly balanced. My in-laws had one that we opened last night and now I’m madly searching for more online.