Category Archives: Bordeaux Style Blends

Cyrus 1998

Alexander Valley Vineyards, Cyrus 1998 14 years on this wine is looking youthful in the glass, with hues of red and just a hint of orange at the edge.  In the nose an oaky expression entices with an expectation of richness. On … Continue reading

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St. Supery Elu 2005

St. Supery, Napa Valley, Elu 2005 The nose features Cassis and cigar box, some leafy, Bordeauxish character, complex and sprinkled as if with fresh tobacco. In the mouth this wine is chewy yet approachable, enhanced with oak. Think of serving … Continue reading

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California Cabernet and Bordeaux Blends

Paul Hobbs, Oakville Napa Valley, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 The sense of Cassis is quite vibrant in the nose. The vividness of the fruit continues in the mouth with the structure of Cabernet. You know it’s Cabernet … Continue reading

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Pahlmeyer Red 2006

Pahlmeyer, Napa Valley, Red Wine 2006 In the nose the fruit is quite sweet and ripe, reminiscent of Cassis accented with vanilla and brown spices. In the mouth this Bordeaux-style blend is ripe and approachable, quite silky and ready to … Continue reading

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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

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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

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Justin Justification 2006

Justin Vineyards & Winery, Paso Robles, Justification 2006 The nose features crushed leaves, black fruits, cookie dough with vanilla and  sweet tobacco. In the mouth it is quite structured, tight at this point, just a baby. Yet the fruit is … Continue reading

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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

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hazard hill Semillon Sauvignon 2008

hazard hill, Western Australia, semillon sauvignon Blanc 2008 Breezy and fresh, this wine shows grass and citrus in the nose. In the mouth it is crisp and clean, with concentrated flavors of lime and lime zest and a little petilance … Continue reading

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Wines of the Stags Leap District

Cliff Lede, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Fresh fruit and new oak leap from the glass when you smell this wine. In the mouth the tannins are polished making this Cab approachable now. The length is great. … Continue reading

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