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Tag Archives: cabernet sauvignon

Chateau Musar 2000, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon

27 Sunday Nov 2022

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$72, 5 stars, 94 points, bekaa valley, cabernet sauvignon, carignan, Cinsault, lebanon, VWTC


When I select wines for our Virtual Wine Tasting Company I save one for the last bottle in the series.  We have drunk various vintages of Chateau Musar but this closer was the most controversial of them all and also my wine of the night/series/case etc.  I loved it.  Others hated it.

Pale to medium garnet it is textbook Musar in appearance with that gorgeous orange tint in the glass.  Also textbook- sweaty horse aromas with stewed cherry, strawberry compote, tobacco, leather and Brett.  Right up my alley.  The palate is dry with medium (-) acidity, medium (-) tannins and pronounced flavors of baked cherry, pomegranate syrup, tobacco, leather, earth and a touch of that funk.  Extremely well balanced, this medium bodied wine showed off a long finish- very impressive for a bottle with 22 years of age.  A spectacular wine that I awarded 94 points to and will look for again.  An equal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan runs $72 a bottle it gets 5 stars from me.  Pairing-wise it is difficult to imaging drinking this wine with any food.  It has such unique, amazing flavors that need to be savored in isolation.  Salut….

 

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Chateau Cos d’Estournel ‘Les Pagodes de Cos’ 2010, Saint-Estephe, France

27 Sunday Nov 2022

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$80, 3 stars, 90 points, bordeaux blend, cabernet sauvignon, france, saint estephe, VWTC


Our 29th Virtual Wine tasting concentrated on Cabernet Sauvignon and blends thereof so it made sense to include a Bordeaux wine.  I selected this well aged bottle which is the ‘second wine’ of the famed Second Growth- Chateau Cos d’Estournel.  It runs $80 and gets high scores from the pros (92-94).

Deep garnet colored, this wine is showing off its 12 years of age.  Aromas of soy sauce, leather, cedar, cassis, stewed blackberry, forest floor and umami were noted.  On the palate it was dry with medium acidity and medium (+) tannins that are well integrated.  Medium bodied, this wine had flavors of black pepper, strong black tea, loam, funk and leather with some dried blackberry notes.  Someone mentioned a Bourbon-like taste and there was some concern over the bitterness.  It is a touch disjointed which lowers the rating imo.  The medium to long finish shows off the pedigree of this chateau.  I enjoyed drinking this 90 point wine but for $80 I can find far more enjoyable wines to drink.  3 stars for the QPR.  I would pair this with a simple Filet steak and gratin potatoes with a side of green beans.  Drink till 2026.  Salut….

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Buehler Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Napa Valley, California

27 Sunday Nov 2022

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$28, 5 stars, 91 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, napa valley, VWTC


The second wine at Virtual Tasting #29 was this Napa Cabernet.  It has a deep ruby color and smells ‘yummy’ according to the group!  Menthol was the first thing I noticed on the nose followed by dark chocolate, tobacco, green pepper, black cherry, blackcurrant and Kirsch.  Medicinal notes along with a dusty component were commented on.  Dry with medium acidity and medium intensity tannins that were very well melded made for a really nice mouthfeel.  Medium to full bodied this Cabernet had flavors of black pepper, green pepper, tart cherry, tobacco, cranberry, pencil shavings and graphite.  The group really felt it was red-fruit dominant and had started developing tertiary flavors.  The finish was short-medium in length.  This $28 wine gets 91 points from me making it a 5 star effort to drink till 2028.  I would pair it with braised beef cheeks or a plate full of Osso Bucco.  Salut….

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Beringer Vineyards Distinction Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Napa Valley, California

15 Tuesday Nov 2022

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$40, 5 stars, 94 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, napa valley


Inky purple in the glass it has slow moving, thick legs (15.1% ABV) and leaves a purple stain on the wall.  The nose has dusty earth, ripe blackcurrants, blackberry, menthol, cedar, pencil shavings and blueberry pie.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium (+) tannins that are very smooth yet powerful.  Pronounced flavors of blackberry, cassis, blueberry compote, baking spices, pencil shavings, mint and cedar along with that earthy dust make for a delicious wine that has a full body and a medium length finish.  This wine has ripe fruit, great structure and just the right amount of oak treatment.  It is really yummy stuff that gets 94 points from me and at $40- it’s a no brainer Napa Cabernet that will cellar nicely till 2030 at the least and pair beautifully with all types of grilled meats, stews and hearty pasta dishes.  5 stars. Salut….

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Cristian Vallejo Bosquejo Blend 2019, Cachapoal Valley, Chile

03 Thursday Nov 2022

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$15, $90, 5 stars, cabernert franc, cabernet sauvignon, cachapoal valley, carmenere, chile, syrah


This is the entry level cuveé from this excellent winemaker.  A Cabernet Sauvignon blend which includes Carménère, Cabernet Franc and Syrah.  Medium ruby colored it also has a bluish edge.  At 14.2% ABV it shows off very thin, slow moving legs.  On the nose I get ripe blackberry, plum, white and green pepper, baking spices, vanilla and violets.  The palate has medium (-) acidity (remember the blue hue?), medium tannins that are very smooth and a medium body.  The flavors are very rich- ripe blackberry and black plum dominate but I get the oak nuance of baking spice and vanilla.  The varietal influence from the Carménère and Franc show off some green pepper whilst the Syrah is offering up some white pepper.  The finish is medium length and delightful.  For $15 this 91 point wine is a must-have to drink till 2026 with grilled meats or hearty pasta dishes.  5 stars from me, time to stock up.  Salut….

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Sorby Adams Jellicoe Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Barossa, Australia

02 Wednesday Nov 2022

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$17, 5 stars, 91 points, australia, Barossa, cabernet sauvignon, Naked Wines


This 5 year old Cabernet Sauvignon is starting to turn visually- deep garnet colored with thick legs in the glass (14.0% ABV).  The nose has youthful fruit aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, vanilla, mint, blueberry coulis, spice box, cedar and chocolate nibs.   It’s a very rich nose and I’m looking forward to tasting it.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium tannins that are well integrated.  I get pronounced flavors of blackcurrant jam along with blackberry, blueberry, mint, green pepper, vanilla and chocolate.  The fruit coats my mouth with the tannins and acidity there to balance it all out, full bodied to say the least.  The long finish leans on the oak with the black fruit fading.  I get persistent charred oak, vanilla and chocolate on the back end.  For a wine that looks like it has some age, this $17 beauty is certainly youthful and ready to rock till 2027.  I’m going with 91 points and 5 stars. Pairing it with Tenderloins on the cast iron.  Salut….

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Mauricio Lorca Organic Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Mendoza, Argentina

31 Monday Oct 2022

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$11, 3 stars, 87 points, Argentina, cabernet sauvignon, Mendoza, Naked Wines, organic wine


Deep ruby/purple colored with a tinge of blue on the edges.  The nose gives me aromas of blueberry, açaí berry, plum, mint, candied black cherry and smoke.  Th palate is dry with medium acidity and medium (+) tannins.  I get flavors of açaí, blueberry, charcoal, candied black cherry and plums from this medium to full bodied wine.  I also get some heat on the back end even though it only sports a 13.6% ABV.  The finish is short in duration and I get some charred oak notes along with the fading tannins and blueberry.  It’s a decent weekday wine that gets 87 points from me and for $11 it’s a decent value that gets 3 stars. Drink now with burgers, pizza or other family favorites.  Salut….

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VIK A Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Cachapoal Valley, Chile

30 Sunday Oct 2022

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$42, 4 stars, 90 points, cabernet sauvignon, cachapoal valley, carmenere, chile, Naked Wines


Deep ruby with a touch of turbidity and thick legs (14.5% ABV).  The nose has black currants, some black plum, blackberry and menthol.  I get some baking spices and ripe strawberries with some extra swirling.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and gentle (medium) tannins that are well integrated.  This Cabernet blend has 12% Carmenere and 3% Syrah that give it some angularity.  The black fruit and strawberry are present as is the spice box.  I sense a hint of oak alongside the minty note that adds complexity.  Full bodied, this wine carries through to a long finish that turns a touch astringent.  Something tells me the Carmenere was a touch green.  Over-all this is a decent wine from a good producer that will drink nicely with our 24 hour Sous-vide  beef chuck roast.  I would enjoy this wine till 2025.  At $42 it gets 90 points and 4 stars from me.  Salut….

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Maxville Lake Winery ‘Maxville’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Napa Valley, California

23 Sunday Oct 2022

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$56, 4 stars, 91 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Naked Wines, Napa


Deep ruby colored with a touch of staining on the walls and slow moving legs (14.5% ABV).  The nose has pronounced aromas of cassis, menthol, blackberry, blueberry coulis, chocolate dust, açaí berry and some baking spice- very complex but primal in nature.  The palate is dry with medium (-) acidity and really grippy medium (+) tannins that are very fine-grained.  Full bodied, this wine coats my mouth with cassis, blackberry, açaí, blueberry jam and some hints of oak.  The finish is long with a slightly bitter vein.  I like this wine- it screams Cali sunshine in it’s ripeness and fullness.  91 points for this $56 effort makes it a 4 star wine.  I’m pairing it with roasted Sirloin Cap and a mushroom gravy.  Drink this relatively cellar-worthy wine till 2028.  Salut….

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VIK ‘La Piu Belle’ 2018, Cachapoal Valley, Chile

09 Sunday Oct 2022

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$100, 5 stars, 94 points, cabernet sauvignon, cachapoal valley, carmenere, chile, Naked Wines


Deep purple-ruby colored in the glass.  The nose has aromas of bell pepper, cassis, blackberry, black plum, spices, coffee, caramel and vanilla.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and super fine medium tannins.  Intense flavors of black fruit, especially cassis along with vanilla and spices combine with the coffee and caramel notes I got on the nose.  It’s a full-bodied delight that has a long finish that tends towards blueberry and plum and has a persistent tannic grip, albeit very fine-grained.  This is a delicious blend of 46% Carmenere, 40% Cab Sav, 13% Syrah and a touch of Merlot.  I would drink this wine till 2030 with rich meat dishes, like my slow cooked beef short ribs.  94 points for this $100 offering that gets 5 stars.  Salut….

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