Wine Regions & Grapes
Sampling of Wineries
Acorn Andrea Oberto Atlas Peak Benziger Beringer Blandy's Bodega Navarro Correas Burgans Cantina Terlano Chimney Rock Chronicle Domaine Carneros Domaine de la Mordoree Dow's Dr. Loosen Emilio Lustau Fonseca Foxen Gaston Riviere Glen Ellen Hess Collection Innocent Bystander Kendall-Jackson Korbel La Caudrina Luna Vineyards Madeira Wine Company Martin Codax Masi Merryvale Mulderbosch Navarro Vineyards Pahlmeyer Roederer Estate Ruggeri Sawyer Cellars Sbragia Six Sigma Winery St. James Steltzner Vineyards Trinchero Winery Trione V. Sattui Winery William Fevre Wilson Winery
Category Archives: Cabernet Sauvignon
Clos Du Val Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Clos Du Val, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District, Estate Bottled, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 The nose features a complex mix of black fruit, chocolate and earthiness. In the mouth it is quite dense and structured. At this point it is just … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
Tagged Clos Du Val
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Emblem Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Emblem, Napa Valley, Rutherford, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 The sense of Cassis leaps out of the glass when you pour this wine – the fruit character ripe and concentrated. In the mouth the concentration of fruit continues, on a structured frame. … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
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Emblem Oso Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Emblem, Napa Valley, Oso Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 This is very refined Cabernet. The nose sports the ripeness of Cassis with the richness of vanilla and chocolate. In the mouth the edges are all polished, a ripe wine yet one … Continue reading
Mirassou Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Mirassou, California, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 The nose features Cassis, candied berries and some mintiness. In the mouth it is quite fruity and soft, with perhaps a bit of residual sugar amplifying the fruit and adding weight and viscosity to the … Continue reading
Navarro Correas Cabernet 2007
Navarro Correas, Mendoza, Coleccion Privada, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 The nose combines Cassis and vanilla. These flavors repeat in the mouth on a light-bodied frame, soft and easy drinking, immediately accessible – no time in the cellar required. The grapes, 100% … Continue reading
Cynthus Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Cynthus, Napa Valley, Stagecoach Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 The nose features Cassis, bay leaves and the sweetness of oak, expressed as vanilla and caramel. Give this some time to open up; with 30 minutes more black fruits emerge. On the … Continue reading
Scala Dei Cartoixa 2003
Scala Dei, Priorat, Cartoixa 2003 I found this bottle rattling around in the cellar and was delighted to have the opportunity to taste it again. A few years ago it was still rather tannic and while good, I knew that … Continue reading
Reynoso Cabernet 2004
Reynoso Family Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 The nose features cocoa and vanilla with a dash of mint, quite sweet-appearing, in the way that dry wines echo the sweet smells we associate with dessert. In the mouth it’s reminiscent … Continue reading
Posted in Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Sonoma County
Tagged Reynoso
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Domaine Hauvette Rouge
Domaine Hauvette, Les Baux de Provence 2004 The nose of the ’04 features fresh and dried fruits, floral notes and the herbs of the Provencal landscape. In the mouth you’ll find structure to marry with dinner and a bit of … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Grenache, Les Baux de Provence, Provence, Syrah
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Left Bank Bordeaux
Chateau Giscours, Margaux 2006 The nose of this wine features a strong whiff of smoky oak and leather with red fruits and sweet tobacco. In the mouth, the fruit comes alive, with fresh berries and dried cranberries and the accent … Continue reading
Posted in Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Margaux, Merlot, Saint-Julien
Tagged Branaire-Ducru, Chateau Giscours
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The wines of Viader
These wines were first tasted during a visit with Alan Viader at the estate on April 30. I bought two of my favorites to share with the UC Berkeley class in San Francisco on May 12. The notes below are … Continue reading
Posted in Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley, Petit Verdot
Tagged Viader
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United States Bordeaux blends 2006
Kendall-Jackson, Knights Valley, Highland Estates, Trace Ridge, Red Wine 2006 Unfortunately this bottle is corked. The grapes behind this wine are 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot. The wine was aged for 19 months in French oak, … Continue reading
Domaine de Trevallon 2006
Domaine de Trevallon, Vin de Pays des Bouches du Rhone 2006 As in the previous vintage, there is a New World ripeness to the fruit expressed in the nose, sweet and intense. In the mouth it is a tannic, mouth-gripping … Continue reading
Jordan Chardonnay and Cabernet
Before moving to California, I worked in a flash French restaurant back in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was the mid-eighties and all of the staff were died in the wool Francophiles, disdaining New World wine while seldom ever tasting it. Local … Continue reading
Posted in Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Tagged Jordan
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Smith Haut Lafitte 2006
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Leognan 2006 The smells in the nose include raspberries, cherries, leather and the sweetness and toastiness of oak. In the mouth it is earthy and smoky, exhibiting complexity and a supple texture – very approachable. The … Continue reading
Posted in Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Graves, Merlot, Pessac-Leognan
Tagged Smith Haut Lafitte
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Sbragia Andolsen Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Spragia Family Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley, Andolsen Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 The nose features Cassis and a touch of the forest floor, a light green element adding complexity and a nice dash of vanilla. In the mouth it is muscular … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Tagged Spragia Family Vineyards
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McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate, South Eastern Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 This is a light-bodied quaffer, a Cabernet that is smooth and fruity with a touch of sweetness. Here is a Cabernet to try if you’re hesitant about this grape. Often the … Continue reading
Posted in Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, South Eastern Australia
Tagged McWilliam's Hanwood Estate
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Glen Ellen Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Glen Ellen, California, Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 There’s a sense of whole berries, sweet and a little tooty-fruity with a vanilla veneer. In the mouth this wine is a bit sweet, quite fruity and fairly gripping – disappointing. Vinted and … Continue reading
Napa Valley Cabernet 2005
Kelleher, Oakville, Napa Valley, Brix Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Toasty oak marks the nose along with Cassis. In the mouth this wine is supple and the oaky expression continues with a nice thread of acidity.The wine was aged in French … Continue reading
Chateau Vignelaure
I was fortunate to visit Chateau Vignelaure back in the 80s – was it ’84 or ’85? Some of my memories are fuzzy. The memory that isn’t fuzzy however, is that Vignelaure was a trend setter, planting Cabernet Sauvignon in … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Coteaux d'Aix en Provence, France, Provence, Syrah
Tagged Chateau Vignelaure
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Jayson Napa Valley Red 2005
Jayson, Napa Valley, Red 2005 This Bordeaux-style blend is opulently fruity and imminently approachable – no need to let this dawdle in the cellar. Our good friend Richard Trost brought this to dinner last night and we enjoyed it with … Continue reading
Posted in Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Merlot, Napa Valley
Tagged Pahlmeyer
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Kenwood Artist Series 1999
We had a great visit today with Kryss Speegle at Kenwood Vineyards. She took the class through a tasting of wines through the years so that everyone could experience the evolution a wine goes through, form early days to long … Continue reading
Bodega Celdran Vinto Tinto Reserva 2004
Bodega Celdran, Sonoma County, Vinto Tinto, Reserva 2004 In the nose you’ll find read fruits and cedar with a bit of the sweet tobacco of Bordeaux. In the mouth the texture is supple, the fruit is ripe and an Old … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Sonoma County, Spanish Blend, Zinfandel
Tagged Bodega Celdran
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Paul Hobbs Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Paul Hobbs, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 This is a truly delicious wine, showing the polish that you expect from Hobbs. Though it can improve in the cellar it is spot-on drinkable right now. A good friend shared this with … Continue reading
The Wines of Charles Krug
This summer we had the opportunity to meet with winemaker Dave Galzignato. Our visit took us from Krug’s historical position in the Napa Valley to its modern incarnation, using a new sorting table to isolate the best of the best … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Yountville
Tagged Charles Krug
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Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Josh Cellars, Lake County, Red Hills District, Amber Knolls Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 This is an ebulliently fruity Cabernet, featuring blueberries, blackberries and Cassis in the nose. In the mouth it is light-bodied and quite soft, very accessible right now, … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Lake County, Red Hills District
Tagged Joseph Carr, Josh Cellars
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Frescobaldi Toscana Remole 2008
Frescobaldi, Toscana IGT, Remole 2008 This wine is fresh and fruit forward, ready to drink, a light-bodied quaffer which demonstrates that clean and juicy wine is not the exclusive realm of New World producers. Behind the bright cherry fruit is … Continue reading
Sbragia Monte Rosso Cabernet 2006
Spragia Family Vineyards, Sonoma Valley, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 In the nose there is a blend of cedar, vanilla and black fruits. In the mouth there is a spot on integration of oak and fruit in a supple … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Tagged Sbragia
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Gaston Riviere Pineau des Charentes Rouge
Gaston Rivière, Pineau des Charentes, Pineau François 1er, Red Pineau nv The smell of red grape juice really comes through, with a green, herbaceous essence and a whiff of chocolate. In the mouth it is sweet, thick and spiritous, like … Continue reading
Posted in Aperitif, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Charente, France
Tagged Gaston Riviere
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Napa Valley Reds from 1999
Swanson, Napa Valley, Estate, Alexis 1999 There’s a great chocolate character in the nose yet the fruit is starting to dry out on the palate. Though past the crest of the hill it still is a pleasure and would work … Continue reading
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