Our entry-level Cabernet blend, this vintage is comprised of 70%Cabernet Sauvignon along with 13% Merlot, 12% Syrah, 4% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. (You may know that before France started their AOC (appellation) system in the 1930’s it was common, during the 1800’s, to import Syrah from Hermitage to blend with the wines of Bordeaux. These hermitage’ wines often fetched higher prices in the English market than those which had not been “improved.”) This soft, easy-drinking wine is a good introduction to the vintage, and while it will improve over the course of three to eight years, it is not a wine intended for long-term cellaring. Somerston Vineyard comprises 35% of the blend, with 25% from Snowden Vineyard, 9% DeSantis in St. Helena, 5% Lamoreaux Oak Knoll, 5% Pedregal, 4% J. Davies, and small amounts of several other vineyards. The spring frosts in Napa resulted in Cabernet yields being down about 50%, with a consequent reduction in the amount of Claret (and Napa Valley Cabernet) that we made.

Highlighted Reviews: 2008 Vintage

91  Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar May/June 2011
Deep, bright ruby. Cherry-vanilla, cassis, anise and fruitcake on the nose, with suave floral lift. Shows good juicy cut and energy to its flavors of dark berries, bitter cherry and mocha. Round and seamles wine, with very good finishing breadth and a persistent note of candied dark fruits. This is already delicious.

92  Antonio Galloni, Robert M. Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate February 2012
The 2008 Claret is a gorgeous, full-bodied wine bursting with fruit. Dark red fruit, savory herbs, flowers and menthol are some of the many notes that flow from this delicious, beautifully balanced red. This generous, inviting wine should continue to drink well for another decade, perhaps longer. This is a fabulous wine for the money. The main vineyard sources are Somerston, Snowden, DeSantis and Rodgers Creek. In 2008 the blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 12% Syrah, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Drink: 2013-2023.

90  Robert M. Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate December 2010
The 2008 Claret continues the fruit-driven, soft, velvety textured, plush style of previous vintages. This Cabernet Sauvignon-based effort is an attractive, consumer-friendly wine to enjoy over the next decade.

92  Wine Spectator October 31, 2011
Pure, rich, structured and full-bodied, with an expansive core of ripe plum, currant, tobacco, sage and cedar flavors, tilting toward tar on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2019.

90  California Grapevine. Vol. 37, No. 6, December 2011-January 2012
Medium-dark ruby; attractive, earthy, black cherry and blackberry fruit aroma with hints of cassis, tar, and graphite; full body; rich, fleshy, supple, cassis and dark berry fruit flavors with cedary notes and a bit coarse on the finish; medium-full to full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Approachable now though best to age for another year or two. Very highly recommended.

See all reviews of this wine