Cabernet Sauvignon

This is the flagship wine from Justin.  It is a Bordeaux styled blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 7% Merlot.  it sees 100% new French oak.  This is a very nice wine that is pretty unique given the number of similarly proportioned wines in France, Napa and the rest of the world.  It has a deeper ruby color with some purple swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black currants, some black cherries with a bit of baking spice and slight dark chocolate notes.  On the palate, this has a nice juicy, chewy texture.  Lots of black cherry fruit and spice.  Though plenty

This is a "Port" styled wine made in Israel from 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Shiraz.  Made more in a tawny style but not quite.  It is very interesting an certainly good.  Deep brick red in color, clear and bright.  The nose has toffee, slight cassis and a bit nutty.  Full bodied and viscous.  On the palate, this is sweet but not overt.  Toffee, chocolate and raspberries.  Slight warmth on the finish.  This is Kosher.  It is hard to say how long this will last.  My guess is that it should be consumed over the next five years, but it might last much longer.  It went very well with pecan r

This could still use a bit more time in the cellar.  Corison makes some classic Napa Cabs but they need some bottle age to reach peak.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black currants, slight smoke, minerals and just a hint of tarragon.  On the palate, this is lean but strong.  With air it puts on weight.  The black currants come thru with an underlying minerality.  Nice acidity.  Good finish.  This is deep with a tight complexity.  If opening soon, give it some air.  A nice match for a roast.  Definitely some upside on the score as this matures more.  Another three to five

This a red blend of 45% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 13% Petit Verdot grown at high elevation in the Edom Mountains.  It is Kosher.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  A very nice Bordeaux-like nose.  Cassis, black cherries, cherries, slight cigar box, gravel and slighter bell pepper.  On the palate, this is medium bodied with lighter but present tannins.  Moderate acidity.  A nice depth and complexity.  Notes of cassis and cherry fruit over gravel.  Ripe but not overtly.  Drinks easily right now.  I don't think this will get better but should drink well for five to seven more years.

This is a second wine of Chateau Montrose.  Tasted blind, with a tasting group, this was disappointing.  It finished in last place for me and close to that for the group.  It is a fine wine, but more was expected once the label was revealed.  Purple in color, shimmering bright and opaque.  The nose has cherries, black cherries and spice.  On the palate, light tannins and sour cherries.  Easy drinking.  It is a blend of 52% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 13% Cabernet Franc.  Right now, the Merlot dominates.  Of course, with some, the Cabs could wake up and get the party started.  Based

This is a nice value in under $20 California Cabernet.  A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, some cassis, a bit of spice and slight herbal note.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the black cherries dominate with light tannins.  This drinks easy right now on its own and will work well with burgers and grilled foods.  This won't get better but should last, if well stored, for another four to six years.  

Nice to revisit this one.  It's been a few years.  This is drinking great although it still is probably not at peak.  Deep ruby in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is deep and very nice with cassis, smoke, slight cedar.  Very concentrated, it opens in the glass.  Likewise, the palate is very concentrated.  Cassis with slight earthiness and char.  Long finish.  This still has some lighter tannins.  This will drink well for at least another decade and probably two.  It drinks well on its own but will work well with roasted meats or vegetables.  

This is a higher end wine from Chile.  It took about an hour to start firing and then kept improving.  Very "new world".  It is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc.  The wine is deep ruby with a purple core.  On the nose, this is big with black cherries, tobacco, roasted herbs and slight dried cherry and dried floral notes.  Full bodied with medium tannins.  Big ripe/sweet fruit on the palate.  Cherries and black cherries.  There is a nice depth with tight layering.  An almost syrupy note.  Luckily, there is depth and good acidity to keep the

This was $20 locally but can be found for less in other parts of the world.  It took about 20 to 30 minutes to open up.  Deep ruby in color, lighter at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, bell pepper and very smoky.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Cherries turning slightly bitter on the finish.  A slight streak of Rosemary.  I don't drink a lot from Chile, but I am told that 2016 was a difficult vintage.  After the initial 20 minutes, this didn't change much.  It is a decent value for near term drinking.  It probably won't go more than five years.  A nice enough w

This is an amazing bottle of wine.  Very young, of course.  Deep purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, slight cedar, char, slight floral notes and just a bit of background earthiness.  On the palate, this has a lush texture.  It still has firm tannins.  Lots of black raspberry fruit.  Very concentrated.  An underlying earthy/tobacco-ness.  Lots of lively energy.  Delicious, this drinks very easily.  While it drinks well today, this will continue to mature for ten years and be good for ten to fifteen more after that.  A nice match with a roasted spagh