2006 D.R. Stephens Cabernet Sauvignon DR II Walther Vineyard (Napa Valley)

The D.R Stephens D.R. II shows  aromas of  currant, toasty oak, and fresh blackberry. The ripe currant carries over across the palate and also picks up plumb, caramel, and vanilla. This wine is fruit forward,  complex and integrates fine grained tannins with a savory spice note on the long finish. The wine is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Cabernet Franc.  The team of Winemaker Celia Welch Masyczek, Vineyard Manager Jim Barbour and Managing Partner Justin Stephens continues to create a great and consistent wine from the Walther Vineyard which is on the valley floor in Rutherford. Still a bit young (decant at least an hour in the near term) but built to be enjoyed over the next 4-6 years. In the world of  premium Napa Valley Cabernets a solid value at $65.

2005 D.R. Stephens Cabernet Sauvignon DR II Walther Vineyard

Not exactly “straight off the truck” but pretty close. This latest release of the DRII was waiting for me when I returned from a business trip this weekend. For it’s sophomore effort I had high expectations. I was not disappointed. For as young as it is this wine is smooth and very well put together. The winemaker, Celia Masyczek, really knows how to structure Cab blends. The nose doesn’t give much yet but has hints of mocha and spice. The flavors are black currant, spice, and blackberry that are extracted and ultra ripe. The tannins are well integrated and will no doubt soften with just a little bottle age. The finish goes on and on. At the risk of sounding like a shill for the producer, this wine is worth the $60 bucks I paid for this bottle and eleven more just (hopefully) like it. Decant for now. 

2004 D.R. II Cabernet Sauvignon

This blog tries to focus on value wines that under promise and over dliver. Most of the wine discussed here have price points below $30. This wine is $50! However, it could be over $100. This wine is my favorite 2004 so far. Although it’s is still a youngster it is quite smooth. The color is a beautiful deep purple. Flavors of currant, vanilla, mocha and spice. The finish goes on and on. The tannins which are more than favorable now will mellow over time. Excellent and at $50 it’s actually almost a bargain because it holds up well to it’s big brother the  Moose Valley Vineyard Cab and many, many other Napa cults.