X Winery X3 Cabernet Sauvignon

Tonight it’s a double-header review with two different vintages of the X3 Cabernet Sauvignon from X Winery.  One of the things I find as a bargain hunter is that vintage is an important thing to note when you find a gem.  And when I do find a producer that consistently produces quality from one vintage to the next, that producer gains my trust.  Given all of that, I was glad to try two vintages of the same wine from X Winery.

The X3 gets its name from the fact that grapes are sourced from three different counties in California: Lake County, Sonoma County and Napa County.  The breakdown of percentage from each county differs slightly from one vintage to the next.

I’m glad to find that the quality is consistent with these two vintages.  There are some differences in characteristics, but qualitatively I call them equals.

2006 X3 Cabernet Sauvignon

While not overpowering, the nose on this wine is exactly what I love about Cabernet Sauvignon.  It has a nice, structured blend of deep, rich earthy aromas alongside voluptuous dark fruit.  Dusty raspberry, cassis and black cherry make up the fruit, while on the earthy side there is toasted oak, mushroom and soft leather aromas. A touch of clove adds even more complexity.  The palate is equally pleasing in this Cabernet.  The tannins are perfect, giving it a full, velvety mouth feel.  Black cherry, blackberry and chocolate flavors make for a pleasing palate.  The finish lingers for a good bit too.

Wine: X Winery X3
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2006
Alcohol: 14.5%
Rating: 88
Price: $17.99

2007 X3 Cabernet Sauvignon

The winemakers at X Winery must like their Cabernet a bit on the earthy side, as the 2007 vintage of X3 has a similar dusty and earthy quality as the 2006.  I liked it in that vintage and I like it in this one too.  While there are some similarities, there are some differences.  The fruit gives more of a blackberry, cherry and cassis aroma in this vintage. It still has the toasted oak and mushrooms, but there’s a touch of coffee in this one.  The palate is big and well structured.  Cherry flavors pop on the the palate (yes, I basically just said “it pops cherry”).  Blackberry and cocoa round out the flavor profile.  And the tannins in the 07 are just as velvety as the 06.  While there are some nuances that distinguish it from the 2006 vintage, qualitatively it’s comparable and again gets an 88.

Wine: X Winery X3
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2007
Alcohol: 13.9%
Rating: 88
Price: $17.99