Dark in color and brooding in the glass, the Hahn Estates 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon leads with light aromatics of plum, spice and cedar followed by a whiff of black olive on the nose. The flavors are much brighter than the appearance and soft perfume indicates. Ripe red fruits, predominately raspberry, and bittersweet chocolate hit the frontal palate before spreading out across the tongue in a broad mélange of earthy flavors that finish with a soft tang. The tannins in the background are picked up by the solid acidity of a small amount of Petit Verdot blended in to sustain the moderate grip well after the wine has dissipated. The fruit for this wine, primarily from Paso Robles, provides intense, dark-fruit-flavored berries with a solid core of acidity. This wine is excellent with prime rib and fresh horseradish which is tamed appropriately by the balanced tannins. It will also stand up to bold Italian pasta slathered in a meaty tomato-based sauce or barbequed short-ribs covered in a tangy marinade.
Region Description
The Central Coast AVA is a large American Viticultural Area that spans from Santa Barbara County to the San Francisco Bay Area. With around 100,000 acres planted, Chardonnay accounts for more then half of the total plantings. Within this larger AVA are several smaller appellations that share the same cooling influence from the Pacific Ocean. These includeArroyo Grande Valley AVAArroyo Seco AVACarmel Valley AVAChalone AVACienega Valley AVAContra Costa County AVAEdna Valley AVAHames Valley AVALime Kiln AVALivermore Valley AVAMonterey AVAMonterey County AVAPacheco Pass AVAPaicines AVAPaso Robles AVASan Antonio Valley AVASan Benito AVASan Bernabe AVASan Francisco Bay AVASan Lucas AVASan Luis Obispo County AVASan Ysidro District AVASanta Barbara County AVASanta Clara County AVASanta Clara Valley AVASanta Cruz County AVASanta Lucia Highlands AVASanta Maria Valley AVASanta Ynez Valley AVASta. Rita Hills AVAYork Mountain AVA
