The 2008 Linked Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon takes the Linked style of powerfully elegant Cabernet to the next level. Made with 100% estate Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine showcases beautifully ripened fruit that came from near perfect growing conditions. The intense ruby color hints at the depth and complexity of this wine: layers of juicy blackberry and black cherry, red currant and raspberry give way to hints of warm spices, dark chocolate and graphite. Floral notes and lovely acidy add to this wine's multi-dimensional profile. The big round flavors and soft, supple tannins create a wine that makes you eagerly anticipate the next sip as you are savoring the last one.
While this wine is rich, ripe and drinkable now, it has the potential to age 15-20 years past the vintage date.
122 cases produced.
92 POINTS (from a single parcel of 10-year-old cabernet sauvignon vines planted at an altitude of 1,100 to 1,500 feet--the same elevation as Peter Michael's Les Pavots, according to winemaker Luc Morlet): Bright ruby-red. Highly aromatic nose combines crushed cassis and bitter chocolate; conveys a strong impression of mountain fruit. Plush, sweet and broad in the mouth, with captivating floral lift and a distinctly juicy character to the dark berry and graphite flavors. Finishes with a note of dark chocolate, and substantial tannins that will require aging. Winemaker Morlet told me that this parcel was harvested much earlier in 2008.
- Steven Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, May 2011
91 POINTS The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is more overt and flamboyant than the 2009, but doesn't have that wine's drive and focus. Black cherry and blackberry jam, flowers, spices and licorice jump from the glass in this racy, intense Cabernet Sauvignon. Layers of flavor build to the juicy, expressive finish. I especially like the precision here. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023.
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 midnight purple colored Cabernet was very well received by the panel. It opens with a black cherry and black currant bouquet with hints of vanilla oak and black licorice. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, nicely balanced, and polished. The flavor profile is a spiced plum with notes of menthol and cedar plank. We also detected hints of black pepper towards the end as well. The finish is dry and its dusty moderate tannins are nicely prolonged and stick around for a while. The panel suggested pairing this rather suave Cab with veal marsala or lamb with a balsamic reduction sauce.
- Ken's Wine Guide Review date: November 23, 2012
"In a recent blind tasting of high-end Napa Valley Cabernets, Linked Vineyards, a 122 case production blew away the entire pack of big names." Gathering 18 of 22 first place votes, Linked Vineyards 2008 Cabernet rose to the top of a field of ten heavy hitters in this Golden Gate Wine Cellars evaluation of 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet and Cabernet based blends.
- Frank Melis, Golden Gate Wine Cellars, January 2013