While packaging really doesn’t tell you much about the wine inside the bottle, it’s a critically important element for wine producers. The truth is as consumers we often will buy the bottle that we think looks the best. But what do the looks of a bottle really tell us? Regardless of whether the label design is any indication of quality, I’d have to say that I really like the look of this wine. The design is simple, clean and attractive. So, this one scores well on the bottle design… but of course what we really care about is what’s inside the bottle. And fortunately, I was pleased with that too.
The name 337 comes from the name of the grape vines. In Bordeaux and Burgundy, each vine clone is given a unique identification number to help vintners identify how different vines perform. The producers of 337 wines saw something in the 337 vine that they thought would work well in the Bordeaux-like conditions of their Clay Station Vineyard in Lodi, California. Some 15 years ago they planted the vines and now they’re creating some luscious wine from them.
While some cabernet has other varietals blended in to shape the flavor, this wine is 100% cabernet sauvignon and 100% from the 337 vine clone. The wine was barrel aged in a combination of French and American oak, so that does impart some influence on the flavor profile. But other than the spice from the oak, this is all 337.
Dark chocolate, cassis and cherry scented pipe tobacco aromas give this wine a delightful nose. In the mouth it brings out cherry and blackberry flavors with vibrant acidity. The tannins are sufficient, adding smoothness to the texture. It finishes long with blackberry, black tea and a touch of spice.
Wine: 337
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 14.5%
Rating: 87
Price: $14.99
Find 337 Cabernet Sauvignon with Snooth
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.