Tag: coniglio

‘THE BUNNY’ IS BACK PLUS OTHER VALUE CAB NOTES…

First, we’ll reiterate our broad massage. Thanks to the wildfires in Napa in 2020, there will be a lot less Cabernet on the market thanks to the residual smoke taint that affected the later-ripening Cabernet grapes. A lot of wineries simply did not produces Cabernet from the vintage, and were sure the juice is out there somewhere cleaned up in someone’s blend. That said, we suggest people be more attuned to the wines that are currently available, from prior, non-tainted (and actually quite good) vintages,

First up is the Coniglio Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, affectionately called ‘the Bunny’ around here (coniglio is the Italian word for ‘rabbit’). This winery has been a repeated feature over the years as they wind down what we presume are suspended operations. This family winery has favored a rich, well oaked style Cabernet for as long as we have dealt with them … a rich, savory, full-throttle mouthful that begs for some grilled beef.

The Coniglio Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2015 is all could you could ask of a Napa Cab. The nose speaks of spicy oak and a fruit component that centers on cassis and mulberry spice and a direct, full throttle approach. We’ve sold many manifestations over the years that are usually district focused. This one, from a respected and historic district, off the Silverado Trail has the structure one expects from mountain vineyards, yet it is approachable and enjoyable now. It bears that family resemblance to all of the Coniglio Cabs we have sold in the past…full flavored, well seasoned with French oak and with loads of character. It carries a $70 list price on their website but, because of our long term relationship, we can sell you this delicious Napa Cabernet, with bottle age, for a lot less ($32.98). The timing couldn’t be better.

The wines of Rowland Cellars in the Napa Valley (Ramspeck, Cenay, Rowland) aren’t widely known, but they have been on our radar for a long time and we have tasted a number of offerings over the years. They are always solid with the occasional ‘hit’. The Ramspeck Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019 really hit the spot, a particularly timely effort given the current outlook for Napa Cabernet. WInemaker/owner Gerry Rowland is Australian born and got his degree at the prestigious Roseworthy College in Adelaide. Plump, honest, pure varietal black fruits laced with some spice and flacks of minerality, this is a pleasing, round, user-friendly Napa Cab at a great price ($26.98).

Just a reminder, we got in the last bits of the Thread Feather Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District 2019. The Thread Feather lineup, from the obvious well-connected negociant firm Flight Wine Company. To quote ourselves from an earlier email, “Simply put, this wine blew us away, and you know we don’t say that kind of thing all that often.  We’ve had plenty of top-end, ‘reserve’ bottlings from Stag’s Leap wineries at three to five times the price that don’t deliver this much character and joy.  A gorgeous, hedonistic Cabernet even in its impetuous youth, at $39.98, you’ll feel like you got away with something that was mismarked.”

Finally, as an early warning, you’re likely to see an email pretty soon on the Marietta Cabernet Sauvignon Arme 2019. The ‘Brothers Balbro’ are in quite the groove right now, churning out one jaw dropping value after another. You might recall their highly reviewed 2018 Cabernet Arte from last year and their 95-point Old Vine Red from very recently. Well their 2019 Cabernet Sauvingnon Arte finished in the money again. From Wine Advocate, ” The 2019 Armé Cabernet Sauvignon has a medium ruby-purple color and layered aromas of red and black currants, violet, iron, underbrush and mushrooms. The medium-bodied palate is pleasantly rustic and a touch chewy, with bright acidity, pretty floral perfume and an earth-laced finish…94 Points.” From Sonoma, only $24.98.

RETURN OF THE BUNNY

This has been a wonderful recurring theme since Charlie Coniglio first walked into our office a few years ago with a Napa Cabernet in tow.  Sure we see a lot of folks peddling expensive Napa Cabernets but this one had style, depth, and the kind of vanillan, chocolatey blackcurrent theme that Cabernet drinkers love.  Even back then, $50 was considered a pretty attractive price on serious Napa Cabernet and we started to carry it in the regular lineup.  That was a 2004.  A few months later he came back to us with an extremely aggressive price on that same delicious Napa Cabernet and, well, it was an offer we couldn’t refuse.

We have done a number of deals since that time and have come to depend on this quirky relationship to keep us supplied with sensational and well priced (for the quality level) Cabernet whenever he had some to sell.  We dubbed the series ‘The Bunny’ because it is our euphemism for Coniglio, the family name (which is also the Italian word for ‘rabbit’).  ‘The Bunny’, by virtue of the series of thrilling Cabernet deals we have launched over the last half decade or so, has become something of a brand around here.

The style is remarkably consistent over the years.  We could almost cut-and-paste the descriptors from one year to the next as the style is classic, Cabernet lovers juice.   People have enjoyed these lavishly styled, full throttle Napa Cabernets, particularly at the kind of reduced prices we are selling them for.   It has been a classic win-win, and we are always interested to see what Charlie has in his bag.  The most recent ‘visit’ turned up another can’t miss Cabernet for a thirsty world.

The Coniglio Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2014 looks quietly impressive with its black label and broad-shouldered bottle.  It certainly doesn’t taste like a sub-$35 Napa Cab, though that might be because the listed winery price is $70.  Technically, this wine could have carried an even groovier Stags Leap District appellation on the label but ‘the bunny’ knows they’d probably have to charge more if they did that.  That kind of decision-making is above our pay grade and we certainly didn’t want to create a case for raising the tariff.  Let sleeping bunnies lie.

So what you have here is legit, well-endowed Stags Leap juice at a fantastic price.  This is typical ‘Bunny’ style.  You’ve got your dark, chewy, powerful Napa Cab with loads of cassis and inky black fruits, with a lovely sheen of chocolatey nuance from what tastes like expensive oak.  This wine has a bit more volume than many SLD wines, with more weight and a broader palate impression.  But the telltale elegance of the appellation lurks beneath. At $31.98 this is a pretty sensational value for a high quality Napa Cab!