Value Alert: 2007 Robert Craig Affinity

Thursday, August 26, 2010

I'm more of a Wine Spectator than Wine Advocate guy when it comes to numerical ratings and purchase decisions.  But when I saw that Robert Parker rated this $50 2007 Napa Cab 96 points it caught my attention.  96 points is a huge number, I love Napa Cab, and when I saw it on retailer shelves for $45 I bought a couple bottles.  As you can see from my notes and rating below, I wasn't disappointed- it's a beautiful wine.

Wine Spectator hasn't released their rating for this wine yet, though I expect them to shortly.  I'm putting the over/under at 93 points.  (Update: Wine Spectator rated this wine 88 points).  Comparing Spectator's ratings to Advocate's is an interesting exercise.  I've always though that James Laube from Wine Spectator was more conservative than Robert Parker, based on nothing more than gut instinct.  But you don't need to look much further than 2007 Napa Cab ratings to see some obvious differences.  James Laube has never rated a wine 100 points (WS subscription required) as part of a blind tasting for Wine Spectator.  Robert Parker has already rated five 2007 Napa Cabs 100 points.  And he's not even done released ratings for the vintage.

More on this next week as I compare Wine Spectator ratings to Wine Advocate ratings for 2007 Napa in general, and specifically for the wines they've both rated.  The results might surprise you.  I'd loved it if you subscribed to the WWP so you don't forget to come back to check it out.

At any rate HERE are tasting notes and more information about the 2007 Robert Craig Affinity from the winery.  And here are my notes:

2007 Robert Craig Affinity
Red Bordeaux blend:  79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 8% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec
5,700 cases produced
$48 Release Price
14.5% Alcohol

Dark ruby red visually.  Blackberries backed up by some nice floral components.  Well balanced tannins provide backbone without getting at all in the way of enjoyment (even when consumed without food).  Long finish.  A strong showing from beginning to end.  Would expect it to develop more secondary characteristics over time, but it's showing well now as a balanced fruit-forward Napa red.

93/100 WWP: Outstanding

Shop for this wine on Wine-Searcher.com
See other opinions on CellarTracker 

Further Reading:
Have you had this wine or prior vintages?  If so, what did you think of it?  If not, what are some 2007 Napa QPR plays you're eyeing?

Topics

  © Blogger templates Newspaper by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP