2007 vintage

Anyone hear anything special about 2007, either in Cal or abroad?

I had some 2007 Woodbridge Cab at a wedding (yes, this was the premium selection there-cheap relatives!) & thought it was surprisingly good. It was not a work of complexity or one that promises decades in the bottle but was was very drinkable & with most of the Cal Cab profile. It made me wonder about 2007 & whether it was another great year that couldn't be screwed up even by mass production techniques. I didn't wonder enough to do my own extensive research obviously but enought to throw it out there.

Any feedback?

From the September 30, 2009 issue of Wine Spectator (they publish really early - I just received my October 15 issue):

"Just when you think California Pinot Noir can't get any better, it does—the breadth and depth of quality in 2007 is unparalleled."

So it would seem that 2007 is shaping up to be a good year in CA - at least for Pinots.

dontime

Don

You shamed me into at least cursory research. There appear to be some winners: Cal Cab, Cal Pinot & No. Rhone/ChatnP. The Pinots seem to be getting raves from everyone but Parker (who still rated it in the 90's but irregular in quality). Parker gave the Cab & CnP/Rhone an 'extraordinary rating' & 96 & 98 respectively. Washington Cabs were also highly rated by a couple of places. I saw a couple of sales places had releases of some '07 Cabs that looked to have recession pricing. Cakebread & Caymus were each +/- $60. This seems about normal or below so if '07 is another great one these could actually appreciate if we ever get a growth economy again. If true, isn't that the 4th great vintage this decade? Vive le global warming!

Where did you find the Cakebread 2007 Cab on sale already? They don't list it on the web site.

Everything I read indicates that it's the mid market guys who are hurting. The guys at Screaming Eagle and Scarecrow will always get what they ask, but folks who generally spend $50-$75 are only spending $25-$40 these days. Good news indeed!

My bad. It was the 2006 at 59.95. The 2007 Caymus is the same number.

Both, plus a whole lot more at calwine.com

With such high ratings for the California Cabs & Pinot and the Rhones, there will be some great opportunities to stock up.

First, retailers will be pushing out the 2006's to clear shelves, so there will be some very good wines at a discount.

Second, lesser know labels in the 2007 vintages will still be great, so you won't have to spend $100 a bottle to get terrific wines.

Keep your eyes out for the bargains.