2006 Dancing Hares Red

Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc

 

This red wine is from the Napa Valley, at the bottom of Howell Mountain to be exact. I had a bottle of the 2006 Dancing Hares Red. The blend is made of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc, these varietal combinations are typically found in Bordeaux blend. The team that is involved with the creation of this project is a “who’s who” of Napa and the wine consulting world including Michel Rolland (known for turning around many French chateaus and guilty of Parkerizing many wines to gain big scores), Andy Ericson (ever hear of a small little vineyard called Screaming Eagle? Well he was the wine maker there…enough said) and David Abreu (the vineyard manager who has been associated with such respected Cali Cabs as Harlan Estate, Colgin Cellars, Bryant Family Vineyard, and Abreu’s eponymous Vineyard). Only 300 cases were made of this cuvee.

 

On the nose: Daddy likes. This is right up my alley. Very classic Napa fruit with aromas of chocolate shavings and smoke. I would imagine this is probably how a bottle of Inglenook would have smelled way back when. Not overly extracted. Really subtle smell of all the right things. Wood, leather and fresh dirt.

 

Palate: The bottle is very fancy, with little etched rabbits holding hands and looking like they are dancing around a Maypole or something … hence the name. Very, very dusty. Imagine Dusty "The American Dream" Rhodes (for whom polka dots were not very sliming) did a pile driver to some poor merlot grapes. Tannins are sweet and have some backbone. This will easily last 15+ years. Would be a nice addition to anyone’s cellar, if you don’t mind parting with a C-note.

 

Rating Scale (out of 5 +):

++++¼

 

Price: $100

 

Watch out for the Polka Dot Drop ...