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: 2003 Forman Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2003 Forman Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

SKU #1021934 95 points John Gilman

Outer quote mark The 2003 vintage for Ric Forman is one of the cooler in his fine lineup of cabernet sauvignon from the first decade of this century, as the wine comes in at 14.4 percent alcohol. The bouquet is deep, pure and very precise, wafting from the glass in a superb blend of dark berries, black currant, Cuban cigar wrapper, gravelly soil, a nice touch of eucalyptus, lead pencil and a gentle topnote of currant leaf. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, very complex and flawlessly balanced, with lovely mid-palate depth, excellent focus and grip and a long, complex, softly tannic and very refined finish. The slightly lower octane here translates to laser-like focus and lovely vibrancy on the backend. This is my favorite vintage of Ric Forman’s cabernet in the last fifteen years! Great juice. (Drink between 2018-2050) Inner quote mark (6/2018)

92 points Vinous

Outer quote mark (14.4% alcohol): Deep, bright dark red. Black fruits, licorice, minerals, violet and chocolate on the nose, plus a suggestion of menthol. Plush, sweet and spicy but also slightly medicinal and saline, showing hints of Vitamin B and oyster shell. I find that the components are not yet in total sync. Soft acidity and refined tannins give this wine good shape and carry the finish. (ST) Inner quote mark (7/2015)

90 points Wine Advocate

Outer quote mark The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon is uncommonly approachable. Its dark ruby color is accompanied by sweet aromas of plums, black cherries, and currants. With soft, silky tannin, medium body, and a Bordeaux-like weight, this Cabernet was clearly inspired by Bordeaux clarets. Drink it over the next 7-10 years. (RP) Inner quote mark (12/2005)

Connoisseurs Guide

Outer quote mark Once past a fleeting note of earth in the nose, this firmly built, medium-full-bodied youngster shows off a good bit of curranty fruit with supportive oak and subtle highlights of mint. It steers comfortably clear of excess, be it ripeness, tannin or heat, and its impressions of trim balance and overall integration make it approachable now while at the same time suggesting that it will age gracefully for several years. *One star* Inner quote mark (8/2006)

K&L Notes

Ric Forman is one of the living legends of California winemaking. With a history at Sterling, Newton, Duckhorn, Abreu and of course Forman Vineyards. There are few other winemakers who can claim such influence in the very formation of the wine industry in Napa.

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2003 Forman Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Price: $79.99

Quantity:

JG: 95

VN: 92

RP: 90

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Varietal:

Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends

- Cabernet Sauvignon has come a long way from its role as a blending varietal, however dominant, in the wines of Bordeaux. Today it is the most planted red varietal in the world. Identified as a descendent of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon needs to be planted in warmer climates to fully ripen. Its small berries can easily be identified for their distinctive blue color, thick skins and high tannins. And while the varietal has its own definitive characteristics: green pepper-like aromas and black currant flavors among them, it is perhaps most prized for its ability to convey terroir, vintage and winemaking. A relatively new varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon started making inroads into the wines of the Médoc and Graves in the late-18th century. Today it is also dominant in the up-and-coming Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux and can also be found in Southwest France. It is the companion varietal to Sangiovese in Italy's Super Tuscans and is planted all over Europe, stretching to lesser-known winegrowing regions like Russia and Lebanon. In the Americas Cabernet Sauvignon has found champions in every nook and cranny of California and among winemakers in Washington, where it complements plantings of Merlot. In South America, Cab thrives in Chile, but can also be found in smaller amounts in Argentina and even in Mexico.

Country:

United States

- When people consider domestic wine, they normally think about the state of California. The fine viticultural Region within California, including the Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Cruz Mountains, Mendocino and Santa Barbara, are capable of growing grapes of world-class quality. But there's plenty of fabulous wine coming from other states, too. Oregon, Washington and New York are also causing eyebrows (and glassware) to be raised around the world.

Sub-Region:

California

- With the explosive growth that California's wine industry has seen the past several years, it's easy to view winemaking and grape growing in the Golden State as a recent phenomenon. And while it's true that California's viticultural history is brief compared to several European countries, this state's roots date back well over 200 years. Due to the enormous response to California wine within the United States and worldwide, there are thousands of excellent and diverse wines being produced within the state each year.

Specific Appellation:

Napa Valley

- America's most famous wine region, which encompasses a varied geographical territory running about 20 miles long from the San Francisco Bay northward to the foot of Mount St. Helena. Napa's great diversity, both in terms of climate and terroir, has led to the creation of a number of smaller AVAs like Stags Leap District, Rutherford, Howell Mountain, Oakville and Mount Veeder, among others. Cabernet and chardonnay still reign supreme, but just about everything under the sun is grown in Napa Valley, in quality levels ranging from $2 jug wine to $500 a bottle California cab.