Remember when Paul Hobbs Cabernets were affordable? Well those days aren't completely gone just yet. Paul has signed on as the consulting winemaker for Ahnfeldt and this 2008 Cab is the first wine that has his signature.We have carried and sold Ahnfeldt wines for consecutive vintages beginning with their 2004 Cab. If you have tasted any of those prior wines, then you know that they delivered exceptional value. The whole story started with an Ahnfeldt winery that wasn't selling through their wines as fast as they were making them at the prescribed $50-60 price tag.They decided that the old 'if you make it , they will come' Napa philosophy wasn't always economically practical. They started their 'price-it-to-move' philosophy with that previously mentioned 2004 vintage. We have now seen five vintages go through here over the last three years. Clearly they are getting caught up. In fact this is already the last of the delicious 2008, a vintage we have grown really fond of as it has developed.
But now that they have reached this juncture, we sense a change in the wind. They are still offering this one on their website at $48. The 2008, as we mentioned earlier, is the fist one finished by Paul Hobbs. Throwing Hobbs into the mix has taken Ahnfeldt wines to another level without a drastic change in the price tag...yet.
Think about it. You've now got a high-profile consulting winemaker. We're sure they didn't hire him to make better $20 wine. Starting in 2008, you also have a series of four straight short crops in Napa. Big time winemaker plus less fruit does not equal better prices for consumers. Our advice is to take advantage of what may the last of time around one of California's best insider Cabernet deals.
What's the downside? If we're right, you'll have a great buy on Cabernet. If we're wrong, you'll still have a great buy on Cabernet, and maybe a chance at another one in 2009. Either way you win...while it lasts. We're down to our last 40 cases.
