Still showing a bit of youthful tautness, Colgin´s 2018 Syrah IX Estate reveals a bit more herbal nuances in its makeup than the other vintages tasted on this occasion, bringing even more complexity into the mix. Sage and bay leaf notes accent blueberry fruit in this full-bodied wine that´s elegantly framed by fine-grained tannins while showing fantastic length, energy and balance, finishing with echoing notes of espresso and crushed stone.

100p Another perfect wine

Another perfect wine, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon IX Estate is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with 14% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, all from the estate on Pritchard Hill. A monster of a wine that needs serious bottle age, it reveals a dense purple hue as well as a mineral-drenched bouquet of pure crème de cassis, charcoal, spring flowers, tobacco, and earth. Just incredible on the palate, it’s full-bodied and flawlessly balanced, with remarkable purity and a finish that won’t quit. Cabernet – or red wine for that matter – doesn’t get any better! It needs a solid 5-7 years of bottle age. but this legendary wine will see its 50th birthday in fine form.

100p The full-bodied palate is firm, tightly wound, and so, so intense

The 2018 IX Estate is deep purple-black in color. It gives up crushed blueberries, fresh blackcurrants, and black cherry preserves with an evocative undercurrent of licorice, sandalwood, clove oil, and cumin seed plus a waft of iron ore. The full-bodied palate is firm, tightly wound, and so, so intense, featuring exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long and opulent.

100p Full-bodied with a sense of tannin but then it´s rather weightless and integrated

Blackcurrants, graphite and black mushrooms with some bark and mahogany undertones. Full-bodied with a sense of tannin but then it’s rather weightless and integrated. Tannins are very poised and focused. So fine and pointed. Tight at the end. Very reserved still, sophisticated and savory. Still needs time, or decant three hours ahead, Better in five or six years.

Vinet & maten

Recept som passar detta vin

Producenten

Ann Colgin fick sitt intresse för vin i och med en vinkurs anordnad av Sotheby’s. Tillsammans med dåvarande maken och konsthandlaren Fred Schrader (numera också vingårdsägare av rang) föddes drömmen att odla vin i Napa efter Napa Valley Wine Auction 1988. Med hjälp av vännen Helen Turley (Kaliforniens hetaste vinmakare) började de göra cabernetdominerade viner av yppersta klass (med större eller mindre inslag av merlot, cabernet franc och petit verdot). Men man gör också en eftertraktad syrah från lågavkastande vinstockar som man hämtat från Côte Rôtie och Hermitage.

Nu består kollektionen bland annat av en Cabernet Sauvignon från Tychson Hill Vineyard som är ett lysande läge. Även en bordeauxblend kallas Cariad (hämtad från tre olika vingårdar) finns i stallet. Idag är vinerna från Colgin extremt dyrbara och eftertraktade. Totalt 4,8 hektar vingård och 700 lådor om året.

http://www.colgincellars.com/