Napa, Calif., June 4, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Those still searching for the perfect Father's Day gift for their wine-loving dad can choose from three great Napa cabernets, each with an interesting story behind it. Here are a few cabs for dads, produced by boutique family wineries whose fathers played a special role in their lives and their passion for creating remarkable wines.
Y Rousseau Le Roi Soleil 2009 ($65)
The story: Yannick Rousseau, the creator of Y Rousseau Wines, grew up in Gascony in the Southwest of France. His love affair with wine began when he was five, when Pépé, his grandfather, who owned a small vineyard, gave little Yannick his first taste of homemade wine. Yannick's father adored him and didn't want him to leave France. But he wanted his son to pursue his dream of making French-inspired wines in the States. So when the Newton Vineyards offered Yannick a job in Napa, Yannick's dad encouraged him. Yannick released his first wine under the Y Rousseau label in 2008, which sold out in six months. Since then, he's released other wines from the Mount Veeder region, including single-vineyard Merlot Pépé 2010 (60 cases), named after one of the father figures in his life, his 92 yr old grandfather Pépé, who still lives and works his land back home in Gascony.
The wine: Rated by Wine & Spirits Magazine at 91 points and labeled a "best buy." The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon vines for "Le Roi Soleil" are sustainably farmed and are located in the highly acclaimed Mount Veeder appellation at 1,800 feet elevation, called "the smallest and most unique appellation in the Napa Valley" by the Wine Spectator Magazine. The appellation volcanic soils and 1,500 feet plus elevation mountain climate create the perfect conditions with longer sun exposure (but lower temperatures than the Valley floor) and later ripening grapes that are deeply and intensely flavored. The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Le Roi Soleil is seductively rich in blackberries and black currants, with a firm minerality. This Y Rousseau wine is powerful yet elegant and has a superb, tannin-based structure.
Robinson Family Vineyards 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($62)
The story: Robinson Family Vineyards is the result of one dad's humble dream, realized through perseverance and anchored in love. Today, Susie Robinson Jinks and her husband Tom Jinks carry on the tradition of Susie's dad, Norman "Bud" Robinson who founded the Napa Valley winery in 1967 together with Susie's mom Helen, after retiring from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel. When Susie's father passed away in 1998, she and her husband took over the day-to-day operations of the winery, located in the Stag's Leap region of Napa Valley. Their daughters - Carrie, Kim and Robin - and their respective husbands also help out around the vineyard, and you'll often see the Jinks' eight grandkids playing or lending a hand around the winery. Bud's devotion guides the family in everything they do.
The wine: Robinson Family specializes in classic Bordeaux varietals for which Stags Leap District is broadly celebrated. This luscious Stag's Leap cab was barrel aged for 30 months in French oak, and the 96% Cabernet grapes were blended with a hint of Cab Franc and Malbec (2% each).
Darms Lane 2009 Bon Passe Cabernet ($60)
The story: Larry Bump had a vision for his small family vineyard in 2000 when he replanted the existing chardonnay estate to Cabernet, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. He wanted to create a small production estate grown cabernet that truly reflected the vineyard site and its varied terrain. And he wanted to make Darms Lane Wine a family affair. Today his daughter Tricia Bump Davis, manages the day to day operations at Darms Lane and Larry's two other daughters Terry Bump Gilbert and Tina Bump Irmakesen are often found working together as a family towards that singular goal.
The wine: This 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is elegant and balanced, and was notably rated 93 points by the Wine Enthusiast. Ideal growing conditions throughout much of the 2009 season enabled the fruit used in this wine to ripen at a constant steady pace and develop intense flavors. Dark in color, the 2009 Bon Passe Cabernet exudes intense red cherry notes and touches of violets on the nose. The palate is rich and layered with blueberries, plum and red currants with hints of toffee and cigar box flavors. This mouth filling cabernet displays firm tannins and finishes with elegance and a lengthy wild blackberry notes.
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