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Tag Archives: cabernet sauvignon

Mooiplass Langtafel Red 2014, Stellenbosch, South Africa

26 Tuesday Sep 2017

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$11, 4 stars, 89 points, cabernet sauvignon, Pinotage, South Africa, stellenbosch wine


A pleasant purple with medium density.  On the nose I get plums, a faint hint of cinnamon, black cherry and creosote thanks to the 9% addition of Pinotage.  The balance is Cabernet Sauvignon.  The initial taste is very Pinotage heavy, with more plums, some dark fruits and the telltale chemical note, often likened to nail polish remover.  I like it.  The wine transitions nicely and some very delightful tannins caress throughout.  The flavor profile doesn’t change much throughout and the acidity is very fine, barely noticeable.  The finish is relatively long, with the dark fruit balancing nicely with a hint of oak.  The bitterness of the tannins is apparent right at the end but is not detracting.  This is a tasty weekday wine that I would pop with stew, chili, grilled sausages and even burgers.  89 points and 4 stars for this $11 wine.  Salut….

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Jacob’s Creek Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Coonawarra, Australia

12 Tuesday Sep 2017

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$12, 4 stars, 88 points, Aussie, Aussie Cabernet Sauvignon, australia, cabernet sauvignon, coonawarra


Dark blackish purple in the glass. An interesting nose of sweet dark plums, sasparilla, oak and ginger.  On the palate I get very precise flavors of plum ganache, dark chocolate, violets and the beginnings of some very fine grained tannins.  The mid palate shows a bitterness I can’t figure out.  The tannins however really kick in.  The finish is a really strange compilation of blueberry pie, oak, astringent tannins and that odd bitterness.  It detracts from the full potential of this wine and makes it an 88 point wine IMHO.  I paid $12 and give it 4 stars.  I would like to re-taste in a few years, perhaps it will mellow out and gain some balance whilst losing the bitterness.  Salut….

Jacob's Creek Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

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Xanadu Next Of Kin Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Margaret River, Australia

31 Thursday Aug 2017

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$13, 5 stars, 90 points, Aussie Cabernet Sauvignon, australia, cabernet sauvignon, margaret river


Very bright purple in the glass.  The nose has blackcurrants, oak and cherry reduction.  Intriguing.  On the palate I get a very delicious attack of black fruits- berry, plum, cherry.  The tannic structure is good, bracing yet not too dry.  The mouthfeel is really refreshing with some sharp acidity.  The mid palate has yet more of the dark fruits plus a mocha component.  The winemaker has skillfully managed to hide the 14.5% alcohol and slides some deft tannins in that really grip on the back end.  The finish is very dry, with black cherry and cassis.  The oak that I got on the nose has seemed to disappear up till the very end.  This is a very easy drinking wine that is ready to go right now and will last for another 3-4years.  I would pair it with lamb chops, roasted veg and perhaps Beef Ribs slow cooked in a wine reduction.  I’m going 90 points and 5 stars for this $13 wine.  Buy it by the case.  (One critic went 94 points, but then again he always rates high.)  Salut….

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Cono Sur Bicicleta Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Chile

07 Monday Aug 2017

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$9, 4 stars, 88 points, cabernet sauvignon, chile


If you read my previous post on the 2015 Cono Sur Cab, you will recall that I ended up with two different vintages from the store.  The 2016 is much darker purple, more extracted with heavier oak on the nose which disappoints me.  I don’t like too much of the stuff.

On the palate, a much different story.  Rich, thick plums alongside blackberry jam and oak shavings.  The midpalate offers up black fruits and a tapenade note.  The finish is short, with some black fruits and gentle tannins.  This version is not as balanced and smooth as the 2015.  It’s still a good deal though and should be on everyone’s party stocking list.  I’m thinking dry rubbed ribs, burgers or even shish kebabs would pair nicely here.  88 points form me and for $9, 4 stars all day long.  No picture taken BTW.  Salut….

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Cono Sur Bicicleta Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Chile

07 Monday Aug 2017

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$9, 5 stars, 89 points, cabernet sauvignon, chile


I bought two bottles of the Cono Sur Cabernet Sauvignon but didn’t realize I had two vintages…. so here goes the 2015.

Very nice purple in the glass.  The nose is of ripe plums, bursting violets and a blackberry component.  On the palate I get blackberry, currants, cinnamon and some earthy notes.  The wine is easy to drink with slight tannins, moderate acidity and a good mouthfeel.  The midpalate has some very nice dark cherry notes with a touch of oak.  The tail end is shortish but nice; green olives and cherry come to mind.  Overall a very serviceable wine that gets 89 points from me and 5 stars for its $9 price tag.  Drink now for best results.  Salut….

cons sur bicicleta cabernet sauvignon

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Substance Cs Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Columbia Valley, USA

27 Thursday Jul 2017

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$13, 5 stars, 92 points, cabernet sauvignon, washington


As I was pouring this wine I couldn’t help but notice the rich purple color, mesmerizing.  On the nose I get gorgeous plum meets an oak shaving.  This wine smells amazing.  There is an intensity to the aroma that is really pure and focused.  This pureness continues on to the initial taste.  This is a great wine folks.  It tastes amazing, has very fine grained tannins, is balanced and has got me grabbing for more.  Plums continue to the mid palate and are joined with coffee beans, Ribena and a crescendo of tannins.  They really hit on the back end with a really nice dryness that hits my gums in the right way.  The wine finishes with cassis, espresso and a swath of tannins, delicious.  An extremely well crafted wine that gets 92 plus points from me.  I am a huge fan of Charles Smith, his winemaking is always on pointe.  In fact, I search out his wines-looking for absolute gems like this one.  I paid $13, and rate this as one of my all-time best buys.  5 Stars for sure and I am buying a case.  Drink it alone or pretty much with everything from now till 2022.  A steal, literally.  Salut….

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Oberon Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Napa Valley, USA

12 Wednesday Jul 2017

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$19, 4 stars, 90 points, cabernet sauvignon, Napa, napa cab


I just rolled up to the Aloft hotel bar and ordered this Cabernet from their menu, taking a chance on it’s provenance and style.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Forget the color, it was nigh on impossible to tell in the current venue.  The nose has a warmth to it along with blackberry, slate and eucalyptus. On the palate I get a really smooth intro to the blackberry notes as well as graphite and black cherry.  The core flavors continue to the mid palate and beyond along with some very fine tannins that really pop on the finish.  The wine has a great mouthfeel with gentle acidity omnipresent but not obtrusive.  Atypical for this varietal from Napa, this wine is more on the subtle side, a refreshing change.  90 points, $19 and 4 stars from me.  Pair it with some steaks and mushroom sauce, or perhaps a Cornish Hen dressed up in a garlic rub.  Salut….

Hard to see the color in glass…

Oberon Cabernet Sauvignon

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Cameron Hughes Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Napa Valley, USA

24 Saturday Jun 2017

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$51, 4 stars, 91 points, cabernet sauvignon, Napa, napa cabernet


This wine was given to me for my birthday recently.  I was not sure what to expect from an American ‘Negociant’ wine, but I was willing to give it a try!

Very dark and thick in the glass, which is telltale for what I am expecting.  The nose is plums and mocha with some eucalyptus.  The initial taste is as predicted.  Full bodied, rich, creamy and delicious.  Tannins are at the forefront but not overwhelming.  Plums, blackberry and a touch of oak are all part of the package.  Mid palate wise, the acidity and tannic dryness roll in and take over from the fruit, not that this is a bad thing as I am enjoying the texture tremendously.  The finish is well defined, long and consists of more plums, spice box and the well framed tannins.  There is a cigar box component that I just noticed as well.  Delicious.  Overall, this is a well crafted wine that I am enjoying while Moxie cooks up some Sirloins in a peppercorn sauce.  91 points, drinking now till 2022.  Pricey at $51, until you realize you are drinking Napa Cabernet- well worth it and 4 stars from me.  Salut….

cameron hughes cabernet sauvignon

 

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The Original Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, California, USA

30 Tuesday May 2017

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$8, 0 stars, cabernet sauvignon, california


Dark, brooding purple in the glass.  The nose is- yuck.  Not my style at all.  Candy, oak and yuck.  The initial palate is candied plum, not much else.  I’m not going to bother much more with this 80 point wine, I suggest you move along too.  Save the $8 for something tastier.  Salut….

the dark horse cabernet sauvignon

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Burgess Cellars Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, Napa Valley

13 Saturday May 2017

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$28, 5 stars, 92 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Napa, napa cabernet


This wine is 15 years old, yet it pours like an infant- dark purple, no bricking and clear, if not see-through.  The nose is gorgeous, fruity yet nuanced with secondary flavors belying maturity.  Plums, coffee, tobacco and leather come to mind.  On the palate, rich plums, cassis and a touch of eucalyptus.  This wine is not even close to maturity.  Tannins are on pointe and there is a juiciness to the mid palate that I am enjoying thoroughly.  The finish leaves you with a clear dose of acidity, the tannins drying up at this stage.  There is still tons of primal fruit here and the wine already demonstrated its ability to pick up those long sought after nuances of aged Cabernet.  This is a top wine in my opinion, worthy of 92 points even at this stage of its development, which is funny considering it only got 83 points from WE back in 2006.  Drink now till 2021 at the least.  Pair with any beef dish, charcuterie or just by itself.  I found it online for $28.  5 Stars.  Salut….

Burgess Cellars Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

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