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2008 Girard Winery Artistry Napa Valley
Vineyard: Girard
Price: $40.00
Retail Price:
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Style: Red
Region: United States
Other Vintages: 2007 2006
Drink By 2019
WINEMAKER'S NOTE
Our grapes were hand sorted and gently crushed. We used native yeast for fermentation and the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in the barrel. After primary fermentation, the wine went through an extended maceration period to soften the tannins. It was aged 22 months in French oak (50 percent new, 50 percent 1-year-old) and then bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Expert Reviews
Read all 5 expert reviews
  • Background
    The 2008 vintage is richly garnet in color with aromas of black cherry, ripe plum and cassis. There are also nuances of leather, toasted hazelnut and winter spices. On the palate, this firmly-textured wine offers a full-mouth feel with flavors of coffee, chocolate-covered cherries, berry tart and currants. The tannins are very well integrated, making the wine approachable at an early age. There are multiple layers to this complex blend that reveal themselves through decanting or by giving the wine time to open up in the glass. Cuvée: 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, 11% Malbec, 6% Merlot and 5% Petite Verdot. Cases produced: 4,944Our grapes were hand sorted and gently crushed. We used native yeast for fermentation and the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in the barrel. After primary fermentation the wine went through an extended maceration period to soften the tannins. The wine was aged 22 months in 50% new French oak and 50% once-used French oak and then bottled unfined and unfiltered.
  • Description
    The 2008 vintage is a rich garnet color and has aromas of black cherry, ripe plum and cassis. There are also nuances of leather, toasted hazelnut and winter spices. On the palate, this firmly textured wine offers a full mouthfeel with flavors of coffee, chocolate-covered cherries, berry tart and currants. The tannins are very well integrated, making the approachable at an early age. There are multiple layers to this complex blend that reveal themselves through decanting or by giving the wine time to open up in the glass.
  • Wine Enthusiast
    Very rich and ripe in fruit, and also rich in new oak. The combination makes for mouth-filling blackberry and cherry pie filling, currant, licorice, dark chocolate and spicy flavors that are frankly delicious. The finish is quick, suggesting this lovely wine is best enjoyed in its youth. - S.H.
  • Wine Spectator
    Offers a complex mix of dark berry, cedar and mineral and a dash of mocha. Full-bodied, dense an focused, with ripe, chewy tannins. Should benefit from short-term cellaring. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2018.
  • CellarTracker Community Tasting Notes
    Community Tasting Notes (average 92 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 2 notes) - hiding notes with no text
User Tasting Note
Read all 3 user reviews
  • gjcurto
    met the winemaker Zach long.at ncwm tasting. faculty is fully sustainable
  • asakaida
    good, smooth
  • erwin luwis
    Hahay