My Vlog: Tasting Some Crushpad 2008 Cabs

I have heard a lot about Crushpad in the last few years. It sounded like a cool idea. Anyone with passion for wine and a bit of money can go to the winery in Sonoma, Calif., and make his or her own wine. Crushpad even has facilities in Bordeaux; I know an editor at The Wine Spectator who made his own Syrah there.

So I thought it would be fun to taste a range of 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons from the winemakers of Crushpad. They sent me 21 samples a few months ago, but I only got back to California yesterday after a summer of tasting in Italy. And I have to say I was happily impressed. They are all clean and balanced wines. Some have more texture and length than others but they are damned good. What a wonderful idea for anyone who dreams of making their own wine.