Pelton House Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Pelton House is a little winery that I was recently urned onto by a friend who I respect for their selection of wines.  This is the 2005 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  Knights Valley is a small appellation in Northern Sonoma on the western part of the Mayacamas Mountain Range.  Now normally I don't drink a whole lot of young California Cabernets, but this bottle is showing well right now.

2005 Pelton House Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Dark Garnet color, almost purple hues towards the center with a high level of concentration.  The wine is clear and daybright.  No sediment is being thrown yet, and the legs on the glass are very firm/noticable with definitive staining to these tears. 
A warm fruit forward nose rich with warm black cherry pie aromas mixed with red currants and some hints of ripe black plum.  The oak influence in the nose is subtle, with hints of smoky oak on the back end.  Very prevailent mountain minerality throughout, dancing around aromas of pencil shavings and the hard black rock of the soil that these grapes are grown in.  It really gives a true sense of place.
The palate is confirmed with a fruit forward focus.  The tannins are very soft and silky, very well balanced with the medium level of acidity present.  This Cab is not as full bodied as I would have expected, which allows for the wine to be approachable a little sooner than some others.  The fruit does darken a bit on the palate, and even leans towards a more rustic/bramble quality (like wild berry fruits still on the bush).  Also more non earth elements of fresh tobacco and leather emerge across the mid palate. 

What better than a New York Strip cooked to a perfect Medium Rare finished with a port wine reduction sauce and truffled Mac & Cheese on the side.  Dieters, beware!