California Cabernet's Win-Win Vintage

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for the Nov. 15, 2008 issue

See Also
Newcomers In Cabernet Country
Napa's Changing of the Guard
Alphabetical Guide to California Cabernet Sauvignon

High quality marks a big 2005 harvest, with Napa Valley leading the way

James Laube
Issue: November 15, 2008

Consider 2005 as the best of both worlds for California Cabernet Sauvignon. It provided a huge crop and also an abundance of great wines. So it's a win-win for Cabernet drinkers. The vintage's quantity and quality caught winemakers by surprise, because a huge crop often means that getting all the grapes to ripen at the same time—or even to ripen at all—will be a challenge.