True to the vineyard, this wine is made with 100% estate Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a powerful wine that showcases the balance of power and elegance. A first glance at the deep, dark ruby color fringed with mahogany suggests a wine of great character and complexity. The nose is redolent of intense, concentrated red and black fruit with hints of chocolate and tobacco, finely-framed by delicate oak. Each sip reveals a new flavor dimension; black currant, blueberry, dark Bing cherry and plum mingle with tobacco, leather, cocoa, black pepper, and allspice. Supple tannins dance around balanced acidity to give a silken finish that goes on and on.
While the Linked Cabernet is drinking beautifully now, it has the potential to age 15-20 years past the vintage date.
118 cases produced.
91 POINTS Good bright ruby-red. Perfumed, varietally classic aromas of cassis, licorice and graphite. Sweet, layered and deep, with a distinctly sappy quality and noteworthy energy to the dark berry and pronounced mineral flavors. From 7-year-old west-facing vines pruned to one cluster per shoot. Finishes ripe but brisk, with excellent length. I like this style. Winemaker Luc Morlet buys some of this fruit for his Mon Chevalier bottling.
-Steven Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, May 2010
90 POINTS Crushed flowers, espresso, mocha, plums and blackberries are some of the notes that flow from the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. The soft tannins and developing aromas make the 2007 an excellent choice for drinking over the next few years. This is a strong first effort. At the same time, the progress the estate has made since this wine was produced is quite obvious. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017.
Vineyard owner Ken Link planted his hillside vineyard in Knights Valley in 2000. The vineyard sits at about 1,200 feet above sea level and is composed of volcanic soils. Linked Vineyard owners Jessica Link and Drew Johnson brought on consulting oenologist Luc Morlet to oversee winemaking. Morlet of course has a long history with Knights Valley, starting from his time at Peter Michael, where he remains a consultant. Based on the three wines I tasted, I think it is fair to say Linked Vineyards is off to a rousing start.
-Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate, February 2012
93 POINTS This opaque and pitch black colored Cabernet opens with a fruity boysenberry and cassis bouquet with notes of black cherry and mild vanilla oak. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, nicely balanced and very juicy. The flavor profile is ripe black cherry with notes of crushed blueberry and nicely integrated vanilla and new oak. I also detected hints of boysenberry jam as well. The finish is dry and its fine dusty tannins are elegant and very friendly. This Cabernet would pair perfectly with a filet mignon over the next several years. Enjoy
-Ken's Wine Guide, Review date: June 21, 2012