Last night Betsy made some herb-rubbed steaks, served over a parsley/watercress salad with green beans on the side. She was going to work, so only would have a half-glass of wine. So I opened a 375, the
2002 Worthy Sophia's Cuvee (Napa). This is basically the second wine of Axios.Very ripe sweet blueberry and blackberry fruit, modest ripe tannins, and some toasty oak notes. Clearly New World, and a tad on the fat side. While this isn't my preferred style of wine, this is clearly well-made. Good concentration, long finish. After a couple hours, the oak is quietly integrated, and the blueberry has given way to blackcurrant and black cherry. A bit less structured and a bit less appealing than the excellent 2001 (and the price went up a bit- 750s on the 2001 were $18-20, 750s of the 2002 more like $25). Still, a fine example of a moderately priced California red. B+
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency