2012 Kathryn Kennedy "Estate" Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon

Similar aromatically to the '10 with its pure dark fruits, mineral, iron and underbrush-scented bouquet, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is more upfront and approachable, with a lot of ripe fruit, a forward, supple texture and a nice finish that carries bright acidity. It shines more for its purity and freshness than density or power, and should evolve nicely for at least a decade. This was a solid lineup from Kathryn Kennedy and I was thrilled to be able to taste cuvees with a few years of bottle age, all of which had aged gracefully. These wines are beautifully made and show the fresher, more focused and acid-driven style that‰۪s common with the Bordeaux varieties from this region. The top wines will be very long lived. (JD)