Wine Spectator Spotlights 2009 California Cabernet

The November 15th issue of Wine Spectator turns its sights toward California, not in search of gold, but rather one golden crop of Cabernet Sauvignons produced by the state's 2009 vintage. Tap into Napa Valley, the heartland of these classic-rated wines (95 or more on Wine Spectator's 100-point scale). Then, tour Alsace as well as Boston, and discover Wine Spectator's new WineRatings+ App-the ideal companion for the adventurous oenophile.

Napa Cabernet Triumphs Again (pg. 36)
Napa's 2009 vintage is distinctive, combining the richly polished, ripe flavor of the prior 2007 class with the structure and finesse of the 2008 crop. Wine Spectator highlights these Cabernets, which are appealing in youth but also quite complex with room to develop. Readers will discover the excellent, affordable options as well as the $150+ high-end bottles, plus Wine Spectator's ratings for California Cabernet vintages in Napa and Sonoma from 2001-2010.

Pursing Their Dreams (pg. 43)
Meet the people behind Bevan Cellars, Kinsella, Knight's Bridge, Myriad Cellars and Pott Wine. While their backgrounds vary from former venture capitalists to the son of a Presbyterian minister, and their vineyards range from small operations to large establishments, these five vintners share big goals and are making some of California's best Cabernets possible.

Napa's Pritchard Hill (pg. 49)
Pritchard Hill-a rugged mass of volcanic rock that makes up the eastern ridge of central Napa Valley-is often hailed as the area's "Rodeo Drive" for its number of impressive wineries concentrated in a tiny 300 acres of vines. Discover the winemakers that have braved the locale's extreme terrain and expensive production costs to tap Pritchard Hill's terroir, which produces distinctly deep, flavorful wines that are rich and polished, fleshy yet restrained.

Guide to California Cabernet (pg.57)
Sift through approximately 700 recently released California Cabernets. Each wine is listed alphabetically with its price as well as its score on Wine Spectator's 100-point scale. WineSpecator.com members can also access complete reviews for all wines tasted via the online Wine Ratings search.

The House Jess Jackson Built (pg. 70)
Wine Spectator pays homage to Jess Jackson, the man who built his wine empire from the ground up with the goal of placing Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay on every retail shelf in America. A year and a half after their founder's death, check in with the family behind this wine giant and their plans for the future in an ever competitive, fragmented market.

Pure Alsace (pg. 103)
Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gew�rztraminer-Alsace continues to excel in producing vibrant white and dessert wines. Despite challenging weather conditions during the growing season, the area's 2010 vintage has given rise to wines of character and finesse, marked by pure flavors and firm structures. Discover this respected wine region's diverse range of terroir as well as Alsace's top-rated wines and best value bottles.

Boston Eats (pg. 84)
One of America's oldest cities is witnessing a proliferation of new dining spots, with wine lists also growing bigger and better. No longer just a hub for steak, chowder and Italian-American fare, Boston now boasts a tantalizing array of eateries ranging from Ken Oringer's Clio to Lydia Shire's Scampo. Wine Spectator details where to stay and eat, plus the restaurants that are devoted to their wine programs as well as those whose lists boast a great breadth or well-chosen mix.

Nicolas Catena: Argentina's Visionary Vintner (pg. 97)
Wine Spectator's 2012 Distinguished Service Award winner, Nicolas Catena, is largely responsible for elevating Argentina