Buy Wine

2010 Brandlin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
91 points

"Brandlin's 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is loaded with varietal character and nuance. With time in the glass, the wine opens up nicely, revealing pretty shades of aromatic and flavor nuances, all supported by firm, yet well-balanced mountain tannins."
--Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate, December 2012

"Our 2010 Brandlin is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (94%), Petit Verdot (4%), Malbec and Cabernet Franc  (1% each),  all sourced exclusively from our Brandlin Estate Vineyard on the slopes of Mount Veeder. A new offering in the Brandlin line-up, this wine showcases the handsome blackcherry, cassis and mocha inflected notes typical of this site. The free draining soils of this steeply sloped vineyard coupled with the wind and sun swept exposure of a mountain vineyard combine to concentrate and intensify the flavors and tannins found on Brandlin. In the cellar we slow age this wine for 22 months in thin-staved French oak barriques to temper its grip, while softening and lengthening the tannins into liquid silk. A heady mix of floral and fruit notes complement the spice, lavender, coffee and berry core of this well centered Cabernet."
--Winemaker Steve Rogstad

Buy 2010 Brandlin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

---

2010 Brandlin The Bootleg Cabernet Sauvignon

The Brandlin Vineyard, to the best of recollection, was planted circa 1926 in the reign of Prohibition. Naturally wine was still being made for Sacramental purposes and home winemaking on a small scale was legal, so many growers focused on selling grapes to this market. Naturally the best part of the vineyard would be kept by the proprietor for his own stock. The Bootleg is our private reserve and whether it conjures up the spirit of the best prohibition era wines or the sense that a Bootleg, like a secret recording of a great musician, captures a unique and rare moment of pleasure.

In 2010 The Bootleg mines the best part of our Brandlin Vineyard, a southwest facing block of Cabernet Sauvignon, just over two acres that year over year stands above the rest of the vineyard. To this we blend a small amount of Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, the quantities which vary depending on the tenor of the vintage. In 2010, a generally cooler year on Mount Veeder The Bootleg is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13 % Malbec , 11% Petit Verdot and just 1% Cabernet Franc. The Malbec is the earliest ripener and brings all the pretty, hi-toned floral fruit to the blend, really lifting the aromas in the glass. The Petit Verdot is an inky, deep, blue-black wine with dark flavors and a kind of deep bass tone that really anchors the tannins in the blend. The Cab Franc is the mystery spice with, brushy, lavender, herbal notes that adds a little extra intrigue. Naturally, Cabernet Sauvignon is the star and dials up that wonderful mix of black currant, black cherry and blackberry fruit with shades of mocha, toffee and black tea.

Buy 2010 Brandlin The Bootleg Cabernet Sauvignon

---

Prior Vintages

2009 BRANDLIN Cabernet Sauvignon

“A temperate season for Cabernet Sauvignons, the 2009 is rife with dark black cherry and blackberry fruit paired with sweet hints of sandalwood, persimmon, fig and cola. On the palate, the wine offers currant and boysenberry fruit with notes of mocha coffee and black tea. This year’s blend is 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot, and just 1% Cabernet Franc. Like all the other Brandlin Cabs, this wine is full-bodied, with powerful tannins that should serve it well in the ageing department, and are softened enough to be approachable while the fruit is still fresh."

--Winemaker Steven Rogstad

2008 BRANDLIN Cabernet Sauvignon -- SOLD OUT

“The 2008 vintage produced wines with robust flavors, excellent quality and low yields from our mountain estate. The chills of ’08 finally cracked in early September, bringing the vintage home with deeply hued wines packed with flavor. Classic Cabernet fruit, cassis and currant, dominate the aromatics accentuated by vanilla, mocha and sandalwood. On the palate, the black currant notes are fleshed out with some jammy blackberry and quince fruit, and a nice lavender, cola nut edge. Texturally the wine reflects the coolness of the vintage with brightness and freshness across the palate and a terrific length to the finish, which should serve well in the cellar over the next 8 to 15 years. A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.”

--Winemaker Steven Rogstad

91 POINTS
The 2008 Brandlin Cabernet Sauvignon Is one of 18 Outstanding Napa Cabernets!
This well-structured red is marked by a tight, flinty, minerally edge, yet nonetheless offers a complex core of dried berry, roasted herb, sage and cedar. Ends with the tannins giving the flavors traction. Best from 2012 through 2022."
-- James Laube, Wine Spectator; August 1, 2011