Brett happens

Napa Valley 2010, Cabernet Sauvignon, Plume Winery ($31.50, 12155827)
The winery is a joint venture between two families, the California-based Zepponis and the Stewarts from BC’s Okanagan Valley. The name refers to the California quail‘s distinctive crest and to the Stewarts’ main winery, Quails’ Gate. This is the only wine Plume makes and 2010 is the second vintage. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (90%), Petit Verdot (4%). Malbec (3%) and Merlot (3%) from purchased grapes grown in the Atlas Peak, Calistoga, Oak Knoll and Rutherford AVAs. Other than repeatedly touting that the wine is matured in “premium French oak barrels” for 20 months, the winery provides no wine-making information. 14.6% ABV.
Classic Napa Cab nose of blackberry liqueur, cassis, menthol, sweet oak and a whiff of alcohol. Full-bodied, with a smooth and glyceriny texture. Fruit-forward but not just about fruit – there’s a dark set of mineral, earth and wood flavours and a suprising bitter undertow. The tannins are ripe and round and the acidity’s high enough to keep the wine from feeling lethargic. The residual sugar and heavy vanilla oak had me thinking I wouldn’t want a second glass but aficonados of the New World style should make a beeline. (Buy again? Me, no. Cal Cab fans in search of a bargain, yes.)