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The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is an attractive wine laced with sweet grilled herbs, dark cherries, plums, espresso and tobacco. It shows plenty of nuance and delineation. The mid-weight structure suggests it is best enjoyed over the next handful of years. The 2008 spent two years in French oak, 65% new. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018.

Vintage 2008 was not an easy one for Clark-Caudon. The estate lost 50% of their crop during the spring frost. The resulting wine, though, is fabulous.

This is a fantastic wine. A Napa cab has to be really good for me to like it and Clark-Claudon hits the mark. This wine was sent to me as part of my California Wine Club Signature Series shipment and kudos to them for including such a fantastic, small-lot producer like Clark-Claudon in their club.  This wine runs about $50-$75 and later vintages are in the $80 range so it is not inexpensive by any means. Part of the price is due to the so-called "Napa premium" as wines from Napa tend to garner premium prices because of the region's reputation for superior vineyards and winemaking. But if you want to try a fine Napa cabernet and are willing to splurge a bit, Clark-Claudon is worth checking out.

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This estate's super-impressive Cabernet Sauvignons seemed to go through a listless, but brief period, but the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate marks a resurrection in quality. Its dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by notes of grilled herbs, wood, creme de cassis, chocolate and espresso. This full-bodied effort cuts a hedonistic as well as velvety swath across the palate. With terrific texture, density and length, it is the best wine they have made in a long time, perhaps the best ever.