Kobalt 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Red Wine

Kobalt Wines

Tasting Notes:
The 2008 Kobalt Cabernet Sauvignon (97% Cabernet, 3% Malbec) is similar to our 2007. The color of this wine is inky and reveals hues of black/blue/purple. Intense aromatic notes of violets, black raspberry, and bittersweet chocolate integrate well with and underlying graphite, mineral finish. On the palate, the brightly focused fruit shows nuances of pencil lead, black raspberry, and currant with a hint of cinnamon and cedar to round out the palate. The finish is balanced and lengthy, showcasing soft, supple tannins that are well integrated with the bright berry fruit, mocha and wood spice, with a clean

touch of acidity.

Wine Advocate

94 points Robert Parker: "A joint project between well-known winemaking consultant Mark Herold and Kevin Carriker, Kobalt’s big, blockbuster 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) boasts an inky/purple color as well as a big, sweet perfume of camphor, charcoal, blueberries, black

currants and toasty oak. Superb fruit, a sweet, full-bodied mouthfeel, a multilayered texture and a long finish with abundant but sweet, nicely integrated tannins, this classic Napa Cabernet should be consumed over the next 15-18 years."

Stephen Tanzer

89-92 points: "Bright ruby. Cassis and violet on the rather cool nose. Juicy and tight, with unforthcoming black fruit and mineral flavors

dominating the palate. This, too, is extremely primary today and will likely need at least a few years of aging."

Type	Red
Varietal	Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage	2008
Bottle size	750mL
Alcohol content	14.8%
Appellation	California – Napa Valley
Wine Advocate	94
Wine Enthusiast	--
Wine Spectator	--
Other	92

Mark Herold PhD/Winemaker

Mark Herold’s fascination with wine started in his childhood home in Panama City. On his twelfth birthday he liberated a bottle of Port from his father's cellar. Undeterred from the horrendous hangover that followed the next morning, he set about to learn as much as he could about wine. After completing his academic career at the University of Davis with a Ph.D. in Ecology with an emphasis in nutritional biochemistry, he started his first foray into the wine world at Joseph Phelps Vineyards as the Research Enologist. Here Mark was able to bridge the scientific method with winemaking to determine the best approach to making the best expression of wine quality and seamless oak integration. Merus was a labor of love that Mark started in 1998—a Cult Cabernet Sauvignon that he made in his garage in downtown Napa. His first vintage was extremely challenging weather wise as well as having limited access to equipment. Aside from all the challenges the 1998 Merus received 93 points from Robert Parker. Mark started his consulting business soon after with a client list that has included Hestan, Kamen, Harris, Buccella, Kobalt, Celani Family Vineyards, Maze and The Vineyardist.

Kevin Carriker, winemaker
My first opportunity to try a "wine" came while working in Yosemite National Park in 1974. I was offered a glass of 1970 Beaulieu Vineyards Cabernet. Later that summer I made my first trip to the Napa Valley and, in my immediate love for it, decided that the place would someday be my home. After working at one of the oldest wine shops in San Francisco, I returned to the Napa Valley and took a job working for a small, family owned winery. My duties encompassed everything from pouring wine in the tasting room to topping wine barrels and bottling. Three years later upon an invitation to work a crush in France, I left my job and went to Bordeaux. When harvest was over that year I toured the French wine country, meeting winemakers who, in light of my juice-stained hands, treated me as one of them. With this special recognition, I was able to learn much more about grapes and wine than in three years working in the tasting room and winery. In particular, I learned about the importance of "terroir".