Barrel Tasting Review: *** Chez Ray VSP Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi, California, 2011

This is a brand-new 2011 Chez Ray cabernet sauvignon ( CL11 ), vinted from fresh Lodi vertical-shoot-positioned (VSP) cabernet sauvignon and prepared according to this overall plan.  The last step, aging with additional wood chips, was not done for this sub-batch, which was sulfited and bottled early.  Let's see what we've got...

In the glass, this is light to medium red with hints of purple at the edge.

Served cool and swirled aggressively, shows subtle purple fruit with hints of charred oak - but just hints.  Some underlying Band-Aid aromatics.  Seems like this may be light, fruity, but flavorful.

On the palate, the fruit is still apparent, but sleek and not cloying, just slightly off-dry in tone.  In fact, the mid-palate does show more mineral than fruit, with a light tangy acidity that brings the finish along into your cheeks.

Seems young, but promising.  When it grows up, however, it will have more the body more of a pinot noir than of a robust cabernet sauvignon.

Three stars now on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale.