Ramey Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard 2005

WA97: Readers looking for a Screaming Eagle look-alike should check out David Ramey’s 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal (85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot), a wine that has put on amazing richness and intensity since last year. Beautifully pure creme de cassis fruit interwoven with notions of spring flowers, espresso roast, and truffles jump from the glass of this wine. Wonderfully sweet, expansive fruit flavors, a massive, full-bodied palate, and superb elegance as well as purity suggest this stunner should drink well for 20-25+ years.

VM95: At ten years of age, David Ramey's 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard is in a beautiful spot right now. The tannins have softened, yet there is plenty of power and intensity in the glass. Tobacco, cedar, smoke, dark spice, orange peel and a hint of white truffle give the 2005 a sense of exoticism that is impossible to miss. I imagine the 2005 will offer superb drinking for at least another decade, perhaps more.

One of Northern California’s most successful winemakers/consultants, David Ramey’s personal winery continues to go from strength to strength. Ramey has had the best of both worlds, working in Bordeaux for the Moueix family, and in California at Dominus, Chalk Hill, and Rudd Estate. Ramey has two hierarchies of Chardonnays, his generic appellations as well as his single vineyard cuvees.