Tag Archives: cabernet sauvignon

Arabella Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Western Cape, South Africa

22 Tuesday Sep 2020

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This South African Cab is a dark shade of reddish purple and is semi opaque.  The nose is steeped in dark fruit compote, a touch of mint perhaps and coffee bean.  The initial palate is very smooth with some nice blackberry notes along with espresso and chocolate powder.  Very gentle, lithe tannins make it very easy to drink but conversely- it lacks structure for the long haul.  The mid palate is more blueberry and plum.  The finish is very fruity with nice black and blue berries to go with vanilla.  There is a hint of oak influence that I am enjoying.  The mouthfeel is really pleasing and I am thoroughly enjoying this wine as an aperitif.  It will pair nicely with lighter fare and drink well till 2024.  89 points from me and 4 stars for this $13 effort.  Salut….

Jose Hernandez Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Uco Valley, Argentina

15 Tuesday Sep 2020

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I recently ordered six different bottles from Naked Wines.  This Mendoza wine is the first of the series.  At $11, I’m not sure what to expect, here goes.

It’s a nice shade of purple and semi opaque in the glass.  I sense dark plums, black currants and spice box on the nose.  The palate is really juicy with a fruit forward approach.  Dark fruits dominate with black cherry as the leader.  There is a really nice tannic component that is not too astringent but gives just the right amount of dryness.   The mid palate is really juicy with a nice rounded acidity and good mouthfeel.  The fruit is very warm and satisfying.  The fruit components are joined by some black tea notes and more spice box.  Cedar shake also comes to mind as I ponder the finish.  It’s decent in length and has the right amount of tannic grip to keep me interested without making my gums wince.  The acidity is very gentle and balanced.. I really like this wine for an everyday drinker and give it 90 points.  At that price it’s worthy of 5 stars and a stock up, drink till 2026.  A blend of Malbec and Cab Sav that I’m pairing with grilled Santa Maria Tri-Tip roast and baked potatoes.  Well done.  Salut….

 

KWV The Legend of Big Bill Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Western Cape, South Africa

08 Tuesday Sep 2020

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It’s a rich shade of purple with thick legs and an opaque hue.  The nose is fresh, briny and full of purple fruits.  On the palate I get primal black berries, dark cherry and iodine laced oak.  The mid palate is fruity, juicy and shows off a slight tannic bite.  The dark fruits are well at play and overshadow the structural components.  The finish has a nice crunchy set of tannins that interplay with the fruit and acidity.  This wine is a touch green but I am enjoying it’s youth and basic fruitiness.  It has some structure for the short to medium term cellaring but I feel it won’t evolve too much.  This is a very decent everyday drinker that will serve well against burgers, ribs, pasta and pizza.  It gets 87 points from me and for $9 it’s a 3 star wine.  Drink till 2022.  Salut…

Grand Napa Vineyards Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Napa Valley, California

06 Sunday Sep 2020

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This Napa Cab pours a rich deep purple in the glass and is totally opaque.  On the nose it’s all Cali sunshine- rich blackberry, plum jam, figs and vanilla.  On the plate it lives up to its billing.  Rich fruits, cassis, ripe tannins and a touch of acidity.  The mouthfeel on this one is stupendous.  I am enjoying swirling the wine but it gets really good on the mid palate where espresso adds another angle as does plum jam.  The finish is somewhat drier yet still reserves the spotlight for the primal fruits.  It has good structure, if not somewhat muted by the fruit forward style of this gem.  It will age well and hopefully develop some tertiary flavors.  This could be a monster folks.  94 points from me.  It’s pricy at a list of $135, but I found it elsewhere for less.   I’m pairing this 5 star wine with Char-grilled Ribeyes.  Drink till 2030.  Salut….

Lady of The Mandrake Warrior and Craftsman 2016, Paso Robles, California

25 Tuesday Aug 2020

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Dark purple, opaque.  The nose is chock full of blackcurrants, spicy oak and some dusty tobacco.  The palate is stark- dark and brooding with blackcurrants, oolong tea, nice gentle tannins and a touch of acidity.  The midpalate is a bit edgy with some oak influence, charred wood, dark fruit and an increasing dryness from the tannins that are ramping up.  The finish is really enjoyable- a nice dry mouthfeel, decent acidity and gobs of fruit.  The blackcurrants are really delicious.  This is a yummy wine for everyday that will cellar nicely for a few years and be a hit whether you are serving steaks or pizza.  Drink till 2025.  90 points and 5 stars for this $20 effort.  Ps.  The label is one of coolest out there.  Salut….

Abadia Retuerta Seleccion Especial Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon 2016, Spain

23 Sunday Aug 2020

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This blend shows up as very dark purple in the glass.  On the nose I get blackberry reduction, charred oak, black tea and blueberries.  The palate is sublime- dark fruits intertwined with lush oak, bramble, black tea and fine grained tannins.  The mid palate is very satisfying.  Gobs of blackberry, lashings of wood, crunchy tannins and juicy acidity all come together.  The wine finishes semi dry with good mouthfeel and a medium length serving of those delicious, ripe fruits.  Figs also come into play right at the end with the last vestige of gum searing tannins. This is a young wine that can be enjoyed now if you like them very dry.  I would drink till 2030 with all sorts of roasted meat, venison in particular.  Yummy stuff.  91 points from me and at $26, it get 5 stars.  Buy a few for the cellar, it will reward you.  Tempranillo 75%, Cab Sav 12%, Shiraz 9%, Merlot 3% and Petit Verdot at 1%.Salut….

Cameron Hughes Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Lodi, California

17 Monday Aug 2020

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A pretty shade of purple and nearly opaque.  On the nose it’s brimming with red fruit, some oak and a red licorice note.  The palate is easy going- red berries, chocolate nibs, some oak and a touch of acidity.  The mid palate is very smooth with a smidge of tannin and more red fruit melange.  The finish is simple, decent in length and features the addition of cranberries with their inherent tartness.  This is a very basic wine that will feature well at a burgers and brats barbecue.  The tannins are very slight and the structure is not intended for much cellaring.  It’s a pop’n pour weekday quaffer that gets 86 points from me and at $15- 3 stars.  Drink now.  Salut….

Chateau Musar 1998, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon

25 Saturday Jul 2020

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I bought two Magnums of the 1998 vintage from the winery, back in 2009.  This particular bottle was opened for a Middle Eastern themed dinner of Meze and Shish Kebabs.  Being a huge fan of Chateau Musar, I could hardly contain myself.  My cellaring proved worthwhile.

Semi opaque with a touch of orange bricking which I see on every bottle I have drunk, regardless of age. On the nose- classic Musar. Cherry reduction, cinnamon, integrated oak, spice box and dried cranberry. On the palate it is super smooth, with red fruit compote, cherry and tobacco.  The mid palate is really juicy with nice acidity.  A faint note of super integrated tannins are evident.  This 22 year old wine is still young. The finish is long, with cranberries, more cherry and complex flavors melding.  I find that Musar has a consistent flavor reminiscent of Brettanomyces (Brett), which gives it a peculiar barnyard note.  It is controlled and in such a low dose that it adds flavor, complexity and signature to this iconic brand.  I am giving this wine 94 points, drink till 2040.  Found online for $80, it’s a 5 star wine that you really should look for.  Spectacular, but not to everyone’s taste.  The Cinsault dominates the flavors, with Cab Sav and Carignan supporting.  Shish Kebabs are an obvious pairing!  Salut….

Cameron Hughes Lot 625 Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Napa Valley, California

12 Sunday Jul 2020

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I tasted this wine previously and liked it enough to order some for the virtual tasting #5.  I think I preferred it the first time around, this bottle seemed a little tired and over the plateau.  The wine showed secondary flavors of tobacco, leather, horse whip but lacked much core fruit and tannic structure.  Overall it scored 88 points from me with a drink now recommendation.  $24 is not over the top, but I would not order more.  We decanted 6 hours prior, that may have made the difference.  3 stars.  Salut….

Vina Almaviva 2006, Puente Alto, Chile

16 Tuesday Jun 2020

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At 14 years of age this beauty is showing well in the glass.  Dark purple, opaque and leggy.  The cork was very soft so I had to pressurize it out, the corkscrew was going to crumble it otherwise.  On the nose I get blackberries, cigar box, plum and black licorice.  The initial palate is stunning- blue and blackberry ganache, cassis, leather, cedar and oregano.  Sublime tannins are ever present but very integrated.  The mid palate picks up some lapsang souchong tea, espresso and mocha.  The finish is finely balanced between the great tannins and a beautiful acidity that makes my jaw water on the long finish.  This is a sublime wine that has mellowed and matured to a great pinnacle.  Drink this wine by itself or pair it with char-grilled steaks and garlic mash.  95 points and 4 stars for this $140 blend of Cab Sav, Carmenere, Cab Franc and Merlot.  Drink till 2025.  Salut….