A. Rafanelli
Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
“Let me tell you somethin’! Let me tell you...✋🏼. Don’t drink these now. Seriously. Just don’t. Five years from now? That’s probably okay. But not now. Unless...unless you are willing to decant for an extended period of time or slow-ox for three days. Patience will be rewarded however if you allow time to do its work. Only then do you get the classic Rafanelli of red and dark fruit with chocolate, coffee, tobacco and baking spices; executed in a most seductive fashion. Sound structure. The finish is long. This is a great vintage from Rafanelli with a long life ahead. Better after 2025.
“Let me tell you somethin’! Let me tell you...✋🏼. Don’t drink these now. Seriously. Just don’t. Five years from now? That’s probably okay. But not now. Unless...unless you are willing to decant for an extended period of time or slow-ox for three days. Patience will be rewarded however if you allow time to do its work. Only then do you get the classic Rafanelli of red and dark fruit with chocolate, coffee, tobacco and baking spices; executed in a most seductive fashion. Sound structure. The finish is long. This is a great vintage from Rafanelli with a long life ahead. Better after 2025.
Jan 15th, 2020Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Day 1: very primary, fresh, vibrant fruit with some tobacco but super compact. Day 2 was a different story with fresh raspberries, cassis, plums, and tobacco and wonderfully balanced. Loads of structure to go with. Finish is long and delicious. This bottle already exhibits a lot of sediment, expect more in the future. Best yet to come.
Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Day 1: very primary, fresh, vibrant fruit with some tobacco but super compact. Day 2 was a different story with fresh raspberries, cassis, plums, and tobacco and wonderfully balanced. Loads of structure to go with. Finish is long and delicious. This bottle already exhibits a lot of sediment, expect more in the future. Best yet to come.
Jun 5th, 2019
Baby Killin’. This was ripe and opulent but still what I’d characterize as ‘traditionally styled.’ There was definitely some new oak present but it’s a baby. This will develop well for two decades or more.
Baby Killin’. This was ripe and opulent but still what I’d characterize as ‘traditionally styled.’ There was definitely some new oak present but it’s a baby. This will develop well for two decades or more.
Apr 7th, 2019
Big open with raspberries, cherries, green apple then an earthy sigh with a touch of chocolate. Not at all like a typical Cabernet.
Big open with raspberries, cherries, green apple then an earthy sigh with a touch of chocolate. Not at all like a typical Cabernet.
Sep 9th, 2023
14.4% ABV Celebrating Cabernet Day w/ Rafanelli !!
14.4% ABV Celebrating Cabernet Day w/ Rafanelli !!
Sep 2nd, 2022
Deep purple nearly opaque. Tarry ripe blackberry nose. Soft but sturdy tannins that may soften further in a few more years. Tasty ripe black fruits on the palate. Don’t wait too much longer though.
Deep purple nearly opaque. Tarry ripe blackberry nose. Soft but sturdy tannins that may soften further in a few more years. Tasty ripe black fruits on the palate. Don’t wait too much longer though.
Oct 23rd, 202114.4% ABV Black fruit, nice oak. Marvelous wine.
Happy Cabernet Day!🍷
14.4% ABV Black fruit, nice oak. Marvelous wine.
Happy Cabernet Day!🍷
Dark at the outset with fig, coffee, leather, smoke and touch of spice. A brightness comes into the finish.
Dark at the outset with fig, coffee, leather, smoke and touch of spice. A brightness comes into the finish.
Aug 28th, 2021
Great wine. Versatile. Can have with dinner or just sipping. A lot of flavor, but not overpowering
Great wine. Versatile. Can have with dinner or just sipping. A lot of flavor, but not overpowering
Jun 30th, 2021
Full bodied, dry, dark, plums. Balanced, smooth.
Full bodied, dry, dark, plums. Balanced, smooth.
Jun 26th, 2021