Cabernet Sauvignon

May 082013
 
2010 Buena Vista Winery Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County, CA, $16 (S) – Rating 89

Very easy drinking and immediately approachable. Excellent restaurant choice…good price…no decanting required. A rich nose of black cherry, dark spice and dark chocolate. A jammy mouth-feel but interestingly lean on the finish with soft tannins and balanced acidity. Flavors of cherry and plum with a bit of raspberry and spice with espresso on the finish. Buy This Wine

May 012013
 
2008 Ceja Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA, $50 (S) – Rating 91

Very approachable with just a short decant. The nose entices with notes of dark cherry, plum, blueberry and dark spice with hints of leather. A full mouth-feel with balanced tannins offering flavors of cherry, blackberry and dark spice with espresso in the long finish. Good acidity for pairing with a grilled steak. Buy This Wine

Apr 042013
 
2010 Caymus Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA, $72 (S) – Rating 93

It would be nice sometimes to just review a wine as Delicious… This Cabernet is Delicious! An expressive nose of dark cherry, ripe plum with subtle notes of chocolate and leather. Soft to moderate tannins with beautifully balanced acidity. Flavors of dark cherry, blackberry, dark fruit, vanilla and spice with hints of leather. Pleasant notes of cocoa become more pronounced on the finish, as the wine opens. Buy This Wine

Apr 012013
 
2009 Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, CA, $25 (S) – Rating 90

One heck of a value. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot with a big nose of bright cherry, plum, dark fruit and dark spice. Medium-bodied with moderate tannins and balanced acidity offering flavors of dark cherry, dark fruit, and dark spice with notes of chocolate on the long finish.  Buy This Wine

Mar 092013
 
2009 Clark-Claudon Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Grown, Napa Valley, CA, $80 (S) – Rating 92

A consistently exciting 100% Howell Mountain Estate Cabernet with intense red color and a bouquet of dark fruit, plum, black cherry, spice and saddle leather. The palate will be intrigued with flavors of blackberry, black cherry and dark spice. Solid yet approachable tannins with balanced acidity and a long finish of dark chocolate with hints of espresso. Give it an hour to open in the decanter for the full experience. Buy This Wine

Feb 172013
 
2007 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, CA, $45 (S) – Rating 4.2

Consistently one of the best Napa Cabs under$50,  especially for those who prefer a leaner elegant style. The wine offers an intriguing nose of dark cherry and blackberry with subtle smokey whiffs. On the palate expect well-balanced flavors of dark cherry, plum and blackberry with notes of briar and spice. Soft tannins and excellent food pairing acidity adds to the complexity along with hints of espresso in the long finish. Buy This Wine

Nov 142012
 
2009 Bridlewood Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA, $15 (S) – Rating 87

A jammy style of Cabernet Sauvignon offering a nose of cherry, dark fruit and leather. A soft mouth-feel with very subtle tannins. Flavors of cherry jam, blackberry, plum and hints of ripe raspberry with chocolate, molasses and a note of sweetness on the finish. A very easy drinking Cabernet at an easy price. Buy This Wine

Nov 132012
 
2008 V. Sattui Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA, $35 (S) – Rating 4.1

Everything you could ask for in a Napa Valley Cabernet at this price. From 3 Napa vineyards and blended with just a hint of both Petite Verdot and Cabernet Franc. A rich nose of dark cherry, blueberry, licorice and toasty oak. A full round mouth-feel with an approachable tannin structure offering flavors of black cherry, raspberry, blueberry and spice. Balanced acidity adds complexity. Buy This Wine

Oct 282012
 
2007 Trione Vineyards & Winery Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Block Twenty-one, Sonoma County, CA, $64 (S) – Rating 94

Wow! A really big Cabernet from Sonoma’s Alexander Valley.  This big boy opens with a rich and spicy nose of blueberry and ripe raspberry. The lush mouth-feel is enhanced with flavors of dark cherry, plum, ripe raspberry, dark spices and just enough earthiness to be interesting. The tannins are a soft and well integrated but still some zippy acidity remains. A classic Bordeaux blend with 10% Merlot and 2.5% each Petite Verdot and Malbec. A long and complex finish. Buy This Wine

Oct 142012
 
2009 Kunde Family Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley, CA, $45 (S) – Rating 90

Expressive aromas of cheery pie and rich smoke are enticing. The palate offers up flavors of blackberry, dark cherry and plum with hints of cedar, espresso and caramel. Give it a bit of time in the decanter to open up and fully appreciate the balanced tannins and acidity. Buy This Wine