2005 Meteor Cabernet

On my last day in town before leaving for LA, Paul and I enjoyed this inaugural release from Meteor. This is a very impressive single vineyard 100% cabernet, and it’s no wonder. The first thing is the soil, which is made up of mineral-rich white volcanic ash, with clay, and a heavy deposit of ancient small cobble stones located on the top of a hill in Commbsville region of Napa Valley. The husband and wife team that makes this wine is one of great wine-making pedigree. Both Bill and Dawnine Dyer have workd extensively in the wine industry in various positions since the early 1970’s.

Wine Details:

Vintage: Inaugural 2005 release

Winery: Meteor

Appellation: Coombsville region of Napa Valley

Varietal: 100% Cabernet with 42% Clone 7 on on St. George root stock, 42% Clone 337 on 3309C root stock, and 16% Clone 4 on 110R root stock.

Notes: 25% of the vineyards fruit is used for Meteor, with the rest being sold to high-end winemakers, such as Lail, Favia, Phillipe Melka, Arietta, Etude, and Vineyard 29. Only free run juice is used. Aged 20-22 months in 50% new French Oak barrels. The vineyard size is 22 acres.

On the nose, dark ripe cherry, blackberry, dark plum, cassis, vanilla, currant, leather, and a nice crushed rock, their are also notes of tobacco, black pepper, pencil lead, and ash. On the palate the fruit is rich, ripe, and smooth. The tannins are very integrated. The mouthfeel is very full and round, and velvety smooth. The finish is lingering and oh so inviting. This wine is sure to be a superstar I just wish it wasn’t price at around $250.00 a bottle, especially in it’s first year.

PS I bet some of the 75% harvest is going into the awesome Leviathan that Andy Erickson is making. Just a thought.

Rating: 96+ JH