Cabernet Sauvignon

One of the great wines of the world.  This was tasted right after a huge Aussie Shiraz and it took a sip or two to re-calibrate, but once that was accomplished, this wines class shown thru.  Still a young wine, this has a long future ahead.  A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, cedar, an herbal note (in a good way), spice and slight forest floor.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Full bodied but by no means brawny or a fruit bomb.  Nice purity of cassis fruit over some roas

This a blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petite Verdot.  A Napa version of a Right Bank Bordeaux wine but this is really a pretty big wine.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, plums, slight spice and char.  On the palate, the black cherries continue.  There are firm tannins.  Low acidity.  A bit of underlying forest floor comes out with air.  Medium finish.  This makes a nice drink on its own.  It should continue to evolve and become more food friendly with age.  Another five years to peak and then another seven to ten after that.  This was around $80 on releas

This is one of the gems in the Kendall Jackson portfolio.  This is a world class Cabernet.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, cedar, milk chocolate, and a bit of char.  On the palate, this has a wonderful muscular texture.  Firm tannins.  Lots of cassis fruit.  Deep and complex if still tight.  Lively with great balance and precision.  Long finish.  This is delicious but grabs your attention.  It still has some upside as it ages and probably at least seven to ten years from peak.  It should easily last two more decades, plus.  It should be versatile to go well with most medium and heav

This is a very nice value for those looking for a reasonably priced California Cabernet.  It is from Paso Robles, an area generally not known for its Cabs.  Dark ruby in color.  The nose has cherries and slight kirsch notes along with some baking spice and a bit of vanilla.  On the palate, this is medium bodied with good acidity.  Cherries with some oak.  Medium finish.  This will improve over the next couple of years as it integrates and should be good for five to seven after that.  A nice with with grilled burgers.  

For wines that are purchased on release and  cellared for years, it is rare to hit a bottle at its exact prime.  Often the bottle is opened too early, or too late.  Wine lovers often discuss which is better.

This is certainly one of the stars of its region.  While not in the category of Haut Brion, neither is the pricing.  Of course, it is not inexpensive either.  This bottle was purchased on release.  It was allowed to breathe for an hour and then consumed over the next few.  Still on the young side, it offers up plenty of enjoyment right now.  If you have a few, go ahead.  If you just have one or two, then it's a hold.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, some cedar, spice and a bit of minerality.  On the palate, light tannins.  Tight layers that unwind in the glass of cass

Shafer Hillside Select is one of the great wines in Napa and the world.  It is priced accordingly, but every once in a while, it is worth splurging on a bottle with friends.  This bottle was decanted for sediment (there was very little) and allowed to breathe in the cellar for four hours prior to consuming.  A magnificent showing for this wine from admittedly, not one of their best vintages.  Purple in color with some ruby hues to it.  The nose is wonderful with cassis, slight pencil lead, a bit of coffee grounds and a slight salinity.  On the palate, lots of cassis.  Deep with layers of gr

Nice to try a Hobel with some age on it.  This was purchased on release.  Still youthful though it is drinking well with a bit of air.  This was made by Thomas Rivers Brown.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  The nose is very nice with cassis, cedar, leather, and spice.  On the palate, this still has medium tannins.  cassis fruit with some underlying dry earthiness.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  It unwinds a bit in the glass showing some layering.  Overall, this is maturing nicely.  It won't get better but should keep maturing.  No hurry, this has at least another decade in it.  It wi

Phillip Togni's wines often need a long period of cellaring before they are ready.  Not so with this one.  Although still young, it is drinking well and quite enjoyable right now.  Deep ruby with purple swirls in color.  The nose is pretty with cassis, cherries, and dust.  On the palate, this is soft with lighter tannins.  Plenty of black cherry fruit and some cassis.  Good finish.  This will go with a wider variety of foods than most Cabs and probably is helped by serving with food.  It should be enjoyed over the next decade.  

The home winery for winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown.  This Cabernet is exceptional if still young.  Deep purple in color.  The nose has plums, cassis, coffee and slight pencil lead.  On the palate, this is very concentrated.  Lots of cassis, some plums intertwined with some char and earth.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  Firm tannins.  This needs about five more years to sort things out and should be good for ten to twenty years after that.  It will go well with grilled meats and roasted fowl, meat or veggies.  It may still get a bit better.