2002 Alexander Valley Wetzel Family Estate

[hotwine]

Owner of a new shop asked me to try this, so picked up a couple last week and popped with grilled ribeyes, yellow squash, and baked whole tomatoes topped with butter, Italian seasoning and Parmesan. Heady nose of rich Cab.... cassis, tobacco leaf, forest floor .... with a good dose of alkie. Smooth entry of crushed red fruits with more cassis, just a touch of tabacco leaf and forest floor. Burst of rich fruit on the palate with a long full finish. 14% alc/vol and $17 (wine-searcher.com shows $14 to be a more typical price). Enjoyed it so much we had #2 the next night.

[hotwine]

Had the '03 of this last night with leftover turkey and trimmings. Same notes apply, with addition of very heavy sediment.... captured by the bottle's high shoulder so did not decant. Very, very nice. 14% alc/col.

[winoweenie]

Hi HW. The Wetzels were always a must stop whenced returning to Napa from Sonoma. Nice people and have a lovely property in the AV. WW

[hotwine]

Howdy there Herr Weener and welcome back. You've not missed much around here but burps & Zzzzz's.