Robert Foley Claret Napa Valley 2008

Wineadvocate

The 2008 Claret (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) has that ethereal nose of spring flowers, boysenberry, blueberry, black currant, and spice. Following that seductive aromatic display, Foley’s brilliance is again exhibited in the mouthfeel of this seamless wine, which has full-bodied flavors, no hard edges, gorgeous layers of fruit, and loads of complexity already, but is still a youthful wine with its best days ahead of it. This is brilliant winemaking, as some of us have come to expect from Bob Foley, and it should age well for 15-20 years.

Vinous

(100% cabernet sauvignon): Bright ruby. Aromas of blackberry, cassis, gunflint and bitter chocolate. Sweet and rich, with spice and mineral notes and harmonious acidity framing the fine-grained flavors of blackberry and bitter chocolate. Finishes with substantial chewy tannins that will require several years of cellaring. According to winemaker Foley, the Calistoga fruit brings a glyceral quality while the structure comes from the mountain blocks that go into the blend.

Suckling

have tasted this wine a number of times, and it always pleases. This is a soft and luscious red, with dark fruits, flowers, laurel, and undertones of lavender. Fascinating aromas. Full-bodied and velvety, with great fruit and a silky finish. A beauty, hard not to drink it now, but it will be much better in 2013.