337 Clone Cabernet Sauvignon - Lodi


Lodi California produces large quantities of wine each year. When I think of the area the first thing that comes to mind is Zinfandel. Several of my favorite Zins year after year are 337 Cabernetmade from fruit sourced in Lodi. As time goes on more and more wines of merit, made from other varietals, are also emerging from this region. The 2005, 337 Clone Cabernet  is a good example of Cabernet grown in the Lodi region. The fruit is generally brighter and more upfront than it would be in an Old World Cabernet, or even many from Napa or Sonoma. Right after opening the nose on this Cab is a bit reticent. Forty five minutes of decanting time or so is recommended and it really starts to come into it's own. Dark Berry fruit is apparent when the nose opens up. Once it does, the wine is pretty bold and has strong berry notes upfront. The mid palate is big, lush and mouth-filling with soft tannins. A bit of Anise is apprent on the mid-palate too along with more dark berry. Black pepper notes resonates on the finish and bites against the back of the throatA lot of it's character comes up front in the form of all that big berry fruit.

337 Clone Cabernet retails in the mid teens. For that money it's a decent buy. This is definitely a Cabernet to be drunk in it's youth. It should hold where it is for a couple of years but I wouldn't expect it to improve since a lot of it's character comes up front in the form of all that big berry fruit.