By Zoltan Szabo
2008 Signorello ‘Fuse’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California
Ray Signorello was in town today and brought along some of his wines for an intimate tasting and luncheon held at the excellent Vertical Restaurant. Throughout a really good lunch and convivial conversation, the sharp looking and dressed Signorello revealed his 2008 ‘Fuse’ Cabernet Sauvignon, in a brand new, slick and vibrant package. Grapes for ‘Fuse’ come from favourite Napa Valley growers, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, but other Bordeaux grapes blended in it as well, plus Syrah. This red impresses me much. It has depth and serious structure, a wine with balance, composure and integrity. It certainly put a big smile over my face and brought back memories of a recent trip to sunny Napa, making me forget about the snow and wind that all of a sudden took over Toronto today. Licensees can get it for $34.95 and trust me when I say that you don’t get better quality than this for a fairly low price. A perfect steak wine.
I go gaga over Signorello’s 2008 and 2009 ‘Seta’, white Bordeaux blend. The 2008 is fuller and more opulent with silk – like texture and honeyed fruits and the 2009 is leaner, from a cooler year, fresher and racier with pink grapefruit nuances. The 2008 ‘Vieilles Vignes’ Chardonnay also blows my socks off, so Burgundian, reminded me one of the Corton Blanc tasted at yesterday’s Burgundy tasting at the AGO, especially after it breathed and warmed up a bit. The 2007 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is so very elegant and the 2007 ‘Padrone’ is absolutely seamless.
Read more of sommelier Zoltan Szabo at zoltanszabo.org and follow him at twitter.com/zoltanszabo.
