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Tag Archives: cabernet sauvignon

KWV ‘The Mentors’ Orchestra Red Blend 2017, Paarl, South Africa

21 Wednesday Oct 2020

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$22, 5 stars, 92 points, cabernet sauvignon, Malbec, merlot, paarl, petit verdot, shiraz, South Africa


Inky and opaque is this Bordeaux blend.  On the nose I am treated to a melange of cassis, plums, blackberry and delicious oak.  The palate is exactly what I was hoping for- rich, warm and layered with all those black fruits, very integrated tannins and a mound of acidity.  This wine is very powerful and thick with fruit flavors, balancing doses of tannin and acidity and just the right amount of wood to make it very pleasing.  The mid palate gets quite a bit more focused on the structure of the wine- the acidity really playing hell with my jaw and the tannins really starting to grip.  If you’re looking for an unabashed wine that will pair well with game, grilled Ribeyes or a heavy pasta dish- this is it.  The finish reminds me of young Claret, the fruit being masked by the power of the structural components.  It will cellar nicely till 2030.  92 points from me for this $22 stunner that gets 5 stars. Salut….

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Cade Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, California

16 Friday Oct 2020

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$80, 4 stars, 90 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Napa, napa cabernet


Dark purple in the glass with nice legs belaying the 14.7% alcohol.  On the nose it bursts with notes of blackberry, caramel (yes, caramel) and cola.  On the palate it is quite refreshing, lighter than expected but still chock full of flavor- typical Napa Cab.  Blackberry pie meets Dr. Pepper and a stave of oak.  The mid palate is really lush with layers of fruit, ripe tannins, charcoal and tar.  The tannins creep up and are balanced nicely on the finish with a touch of acidity.  The black fruit theme continues as does the cola note.  Very nice and balanced- this wine drinks nicely now and will go till 2023.  90 points from me, 91 from the pros. It retails for $80, making it a 4 star wine for me. I would pair with Filet, perhaps a well seasoned Cornish hen or even braised Beef rib. Salut….

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Chateau Montelena The Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Napa Valley, USA

16 Friday Oct 2020

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$140, 4 stars, 92 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Napa, napa cabernet


Super purple in the glass, inky and opaque AF.  On the nose I get black currants, smoky oak, vanilla and a touch of cassis.  On the palate it’s fresh, young and layered.  Black fruits galore with a hint of licorice.  The fruit is sweet yet the wine is dry- like ripe and sun drenched.  The tannins creep in very slowly and I start to pucker at the mid palate and am fully aware of their presence by the finish.  They are really well integrated and fine grained.  Gobs more black fruit, a hint of eucalyptus and some oak round this wine out.  The finish is long and dry.  Delightfully rich, decadent even- this wine has a really nice mouthfeel and is brimming with Napa charm.  92 points from me and at $140 it’s a 4 star gem.  Drink till 2030 with grilled meat, rich cheeses. A super yummy wine. Salut….

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William Gordon Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Alexander Valley, USA

11 Sunday Oct 2020

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$45, 5 stars, 93 points, alexander valley, cabernet sauvignon, california


I really enjoy this appellation so I am looking forward to this $ 45 wine. It is medium purple but totally opaque in the glass. The nose is stunning. Cassis, blackberries, plum reduction and some oak. The palate is very dark-fruit forward with some delicious oak and cassis. The well integrated tannins bring a really nice dryness to the gums right off the bat. The mid palate is opulent with layers of black fruit, vanilla and the beginnings of an acidic bite. The finish is long, fruity and dry with some black tea notes along with the berries and plum. Tannins are ever present and the wine is mildly acidic, making the mouthfeel very interesting and complex. This wine is already 8 years young and will drink well till 2026 at the earliest. 93 points from me. 5 stars for this sun-drenched beauty. I’m grilling Filet and baked potatoes. Salut….

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Primi Soli Cabernet Sauvignon Colli Berici 2019,Veneto, Italy

01 Thursday Oct 2020

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88 points, cabernet sauvignon, Italy, splash wines, veneto


This Italian Cab Sav is see-through and a lighter shade of purple in the glass. On the nose I get red currants and rhubarb with a hint of chocolate. The palate is quite tart but opens up to some nice red fruits, a bit of blueberry pie and an oaky undertone. The wine has just a touch of tannic hint which is a welcome change. The mid palate is delightful with a nice, light mouthfeel. Red berries and tart rhubarb really come through as does some pomegranate. It is quite gripping in the acid department which makes for a very precise and focused wine. There is no flab here. The finish is juicy and fruity, with barely a trace of any tannins. Structure wise- it’s slightly imbalanced between the acidity and the tannic backbone, which leads to a shorter cellar capacity. It is however a delicious and easy to drink wine that would go really well with Bolognese or Osso Bucco. Drink till 2025. 88 points. Price unknown. Salut….

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Partem Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Sonoma County, California

28 Monday Sep 2020

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$10, 5 stars, 91 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Sonoma, splash wines


This Sonoma Cab is very bright purple and shows thin legs on the glass.  The nose is mostly raspberry, rhubarb and red cherry.  On the palate I get red fruits, rooibos tea, orange peel and some stoic tannins.  The mid palate is definitely a dry affair of astringent tea, cherry and raspberry.  I’m waiting for an acidic thrust to balance out the gushing tannins.  It happens right at the end, on the long finish that is bone dry and trends towards blacker fruit flavors.  There is a touch of oak on the back end that I like.  This wine is very young and could use some cellaring or decanting.  Drink from 2023 to 2030.  It is well made and I am enjoying its youthful exuberance.  91 points and 5 stars for this reasonably priced gem.  Shocking find!  Salut….

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Arabella Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Western Cape, South Africa

22 Tuesday Sep 2020

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$13, 4 stars, 89 points, cabernet sauvignon, Naked Wines, South Africa, western cape


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….

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Jose Hernandez Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Uco Valley, Argentina

15 Tuesday Sep 2020

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$11, 5 stars, 90 points, Argentina, cabernet sauvignon, Malbec, Mendoza, Naked Wines, Uco Valley


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….

 

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

08 Tuesday Sep 2020

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$9, 3 stars, 87 points, cabernet sauvignon, South Africa, western cape


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…

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

06 Sunday Sep 2020

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$135, 5 stars, 94 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Napa, napa cabernet


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….

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