If you are an impatient wine drinker, you don’t want to read this review. But for those of us willing to wait a bit for the good stuff, then you need to check out the Sparrow Hawk 2011 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Under $20 Napa Cabs….that are good….are hard to find. In the past, I’ve relied upon the Kirkland Signature bottlings, although most of them are now at the $20 price point. However, while Sparrow Hawk has priced this cabernet at its winery for $35, it is selling it at Costco for $16. This is a very good value for a nice example of what Napa can do to this noble grape. But, alas, there’s a catch; the wine starts slowly and doesn’t strut its stuff until the second day.
This particular cab has fairly good legs, red fruits, (primarily blackberry and boysenberry) with a slight tartness that disappears the second day. It isn’t necessarily the most sophisticated cab, but it can hold its own in a conversation. I sampled it over three days. Right out of the bottle, it was a bit disappointing. But the second day brought a whole new story, one that would pass for a decent $25 Napa Cab. On the third day, it continued to show off its cab pedigree nicely. This is a wine that Sparrow Hawk could have held another year or two, but with a little patience, it will please your palate at a very reasonable price.
-- Michael S
Rating: 90
Price: $15.99
Costco Item #: 663168
San Diego, California
