Honig Vineyard & Winery was one of my favorite wineries to visit nestled in the Napa Valley, and yet, I don't believe I ever stopped to take pictures there. Found off Rutherford Rd. (which is one of the linking roads between Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail), its hidden behind a small olive oil production building and all-natural retreat center. (If you want to capture the essence of "natural" California... please visit the retreat center.) Anyway... off track... Honig's tasting room is gorgeous. There's a small outdoor patio from the all-wooden tasting room. Compared to several of the showy wineries in the valley, the tasting room is small, but I prefer to call it quaint, calm, and peaceful. Surrounded by vineyards, there's something relaxing about sipping some Honig wine and getting away from the hustle and bustle of the highway (and everyday life). After all, isn't that the selling point of Napa Valley? Eat, drink, and relax? ;)
Here are some images of the winery that I found on Google Images:
The Outside of the Winery/Tasting Room and Surrounding Patio
The Inside of the Tasting Room (What you see as you walk in the door)
(Photo from The Napa Valley Wine Blog)
Another View of the Inside of the Tasting Room
The Inside of the Tasting Room (What you see if you are at the tasting
bar. Note the door and surrounding patio in the top center of the image)
I also love Honig's holiday postcards! They are so fun and creative. I especially liked the one spin-off from the iPod. :)
Anyway, I'm getting totally off track... I love Honig's approach to winemaking, and the winery is filled with great people. They're ready to experiment and try new things while remaining true to their infamous Sauvignon Blanc style (what they are known for) and deep, Napa Cabernets. And with that, onto the 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon by Honig Vineyard & Winery.
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
(Photo from Honig's website)
The D-2010 Scale
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon by Honig Vineyard & Winery (Napa Valley, CA)
Appearance (10 points possible): Deep, dark ruby red color. - 10 points
Aroma/Bouquet (20 points possible): Toasted wood, black cherry, earthiness, cocoa, cassis, and hints of vanilla and black licorice. - 17 points
Taste (10 points possible): Cherry flavored with sourness up front, but medium-bodied entry. The mid-palate is deep with toasted oak and cocoa flavors. It still has a "young" tannic sensation. The finish is noticeable, but a bit short compared to other Napa Cabs with a linger cherry finish, bitterness (which tastes like the oak bitterness to me), heat on the tail (from the alcohol), and a bit drying/dusty. - 6 points
Balance (5 points possible): To me, this Cab is not fully integrated and appears slightly in pieces. But it is still enjoyable. It may integrate more in the near future, even with the 14.5% alcohol level. - 3 points
Finish (5 points possible): Cherry/cocoa flavored, some bitterness, heat on the tail, and a bit drying. As the wine sits out, the finish softens more and more, but the dry sensation is noticeable. - 3 points
Add 50 points for attempt, packaging, closure, etc.
Total Points: 89
Overall Thought: One thing Honig does well is their packaging. I can't wait to feature their Sauvignon Blanc. I very much enjoy their labels. Second, Honig is known for their Sauvignon Blanc, and there's nothing majorly flawed with their Cabernet Sauvignon. It is true to the Napa Valley style (which is supposed to be the Bordeaux style... but not), it's clean, and it's a filling, bold, masculine wine. It smells great, although, personally, I would like to see less emphasis on the oak and more on the varietal fruit character. Like most Napa Cabs, this vintage is actually a blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot.
Food Pairings: I like this with red meat - lamb, steak, beef roast. It's especially good during the winter months when the weather isn't as warm.
Cost: About $40
Splurge Factor (out of 4): 3 - It's a Napa Cab produced by a well-known winery. It may not be something you drink regularly, but may be something you want to purchase periodically for Cab tastings or steak dinners.
Where to buy: Look at your local wine distributor or state store. (If I find it Florida, I'll let everyone know!) Also available through Honig's website. You can actually search their distributors here.
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