I didn't really like it, but I'm not sure it's Francis' fault. We had it after a bottle of Chateau Palmer Alter Ego, and we thought it would be good for comparison. It was good for comparison - as it was completely different. I won't hold it to the same standards as Palmer (maybe I should?), but it was a bit strange. It was very spicy oaked, vanilla. The main characteristics reminded me of a southern Rhone wine actually. I like California Cabernet the most next to Bordeaux, but this was something else.
It opened up, and revealed it's own depth and structure. Quality wine, but not really what I expected.
And another thing - these North Americans with their celebrity wineries... I've tried a couple of the Canadian ones (Mike Weir Pinot Gris - thought it was really good, and being Canadian I'd buy anything with Wayne Gretzky's name on it), but do these guys really like wine this much? Is it something their PR managers tell them to do? Is it a box to tick in their career?
Director's Cut Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Alexander Valley, California
Oddbins
£19.99
3/5
Posts
I think it really is a matter of a difference between European palates and American ones. Although we are both N. Americans (me being from CA) I find that after 4 years of drinking wine here, I have a hard time (literally) swallowing many of those CA wines. There are some great wines from CA but don't expect to find them in Oddbins or any supermarket here and you will be paying top dollar (or pound), unfortunately. Interestingly enough, 2 years ago, I was in CA for a winebloggers conf and the Director's Cut both reds and white were on tasting. Everyone loved them except me. Could be they are starstruck? As for me, I love his movies but I'll give his wines a pass.
ReplyDeleteHey Denise,
ReplyDeleteThanks for that insightful comment. Where would you go to get decent (and affordable) California wine here? I do like it normally...like I said in my post this one seemed a bit odd.