Wine Recommendation
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Wine Recommendation

Wine:Vina Moda 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon  (Sierra Foothills)

Vina Moda

2003 Cabernet Sauvignon
(Sierra Foothills)



Vina Moda is a relatively new boutique winery located at the edge of Murphys in Gold Rush country. A partnership of Nathan and Kirsten Vader, Jonathon Phillips and Jeannine Hebel, this charming winery is an exemplar of the exciting new wine culture flourishing in the village of Murphys...Calaveras County's answer to Napa's Yountville.

Vina Moda translates to “Vine Style”. How appropriate, as this well matured Cabernet certainly has a distinctive style. Don’t let the screw-cap closure on this bottle fool you. This is no New World fruit bomb from down under or over yonder. The nose on this Sierra Foothills Cab struts Old World character with cedar and pencil shavings reminiscent of Bordeaux, followed by red berry fruit with very subtle herbal notes. On the palate, it is a tight package of red berry and sour cherry fruit, with tarry notes supported by ample fine-grained tannins and an appealing earthiness. The wine finishes with good grape tannic grip and still lively acidity at nearly 5 years of age.

If you’ve been avoiding California Cab because you think it is all sweet jelly jar grape juice, then you will want to reconsider your preconceptions. This wine, at just 13.5% alcohol, represents a wonderful counterpoint to that more mainstream jammy style.

Reviewed May 21, 2008 by Adam Dial.

 

Other Awards & Accolades

Silver Medal - 2008 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

 

The Wine

Winery: Vina Moda
Vintage: 2003
Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Sierra Foothills
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: 750ml $36.00

Review Date: 5/21/2008

The Reviewer

Adam Dial

Brought up in a family with winery ventures in both California and Canada, Adam Dial seeks and appreciates diversity and individuality in wines. He is a Sommelier with more than two decades of experience in the hospitality and service industry, and is a respected wine educator, judge and industry advisor. In 2003 Adam Dial co-founded Appellation America.