This 2008 Emblem Napa Valley Cabernet is priced at a bargain price but sourced from vineyards that demand a much higher price tag. Rutherford, Atlas Peak, Wooden Valley and even Oso vineyard contributed grapes for this vintage.
This Emblem Napa Valley Cabernet is a great example of the cabernets that put Napa Valley on the dinner table. It is a blend of Hillside and Valley fruit, with a varietal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. And - at a great price.
This wine was a limited production, that has since grown into what you would probably see currently in the market (2010 vintage in a silkscreen bottle). The 2008 went through Malolactic fermentation in barrel and then 18 months aging in New French oak barrels.
Your pH numbers seem high (ripe fruit) but your alc. is really reasonable at only 13.5%. Did you remove alcohol? Is the number actually higher but takes advantage of the allowed +/- 0.5%?
What Kyle said, and …
Given the 18 months in new oak, can you also comment on oak/tannin expressions. That long even in a neutral toast suggests this is best left for a few more years, at least; but the pH argues otherwise.
Alcohol analysis was 13.73% and the goal with this wine was to keep the alcohol between 13.5% and 13.8%. Our goal was to produce a balanced wine that delivered on palate and price.
The higher pH was intentional because Rob feels that it offers a rounder mouthfeel, as for oak/tannin expression - all I can say is I opened a bottle several weeks ago and it tasted great.
I will open it today or up to 5 years from now with confidence. But at this price, not sure it would last 5 years… I really enjoy this wine, and this brand.
