Coming Soon: Robert Craig’s 2004 Cabernets
Wednesday, August 29th, 2007
We tasted Robert Craig’s forthcoming 2004 Cabernet Sauvignons this morning when he visited Hinsdale Wine Shop in Chicago’s western suburbs. Bob (left), as he congenially introduces himself, was here to talk about his limited releases – the Affinity Bordeaux-style blend and the Howell Moutain and Mount Veeder Cabernets.
The headline for Craig fans is that the ‘04 Affinity (85% Cabernet Sauvignon), produced from yields in southern Napa Valley’s Tulocay appellation, is unfiltered for the first time in its history. The goal is to achieve “more depth” for the blend, which tended to show less power and structure than Bob’s “mountain wines”. Our Wednesday tasting suggests the new approach is doing the job.

Our time together was delightful for the palate, uplifting for the soul and enlightening for the mind. The woman who arranged our villa for a weeklong stay in southern Tuscany (