Cabernet Sauvignon

This is an inexpensive bottle from Australia that is a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet and Grenache.  It is the kind of wine that made Australia famous in the 1990's and soon fell out of favor.  This is a very sweet wine that will be popular with people who like that style.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has confectionery sugar, raspberry fruit and red candies.  On the palate, this is candied raspberries.  A bit bitter on the palate.  It is not about depth but rather fruit and imbibing.  Drink now.  

 This is the entry level wine from this producer of Sassicaia.  It is 70 % Cabernet Sauvignon and 30 % Sangiovese.  And, from a great vintage, this wine showed very well.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cherries, sandalwood and light strawberries.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the cherries and strawberries are there.  No tannins.  Bright acidity.  A delicious wine but probably needs to be consumed in the  first few years.  It drinks great on its own but will work with lighter foods or pizza and pasta.  

This is the second label of Sassicaia.  It is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot.  Tasted at a tasting with more Sangiovese grapes did not help this wine.  Nor did the fact that this was from a not very good vintage in Tuscany and many of the others were from better vintages.  Still, this wine was a favorite of some.  Deep garnet in color.  The nose has tart cherries, some cassis, some tobacco and green bell pepper.  On the palate, the tannins are fully resolved.  Good acidity.  Slightly bitter cherries with some forest floor.  Short finish.  It is a good reason to drink wines

My first time trying this wine.  William Segui works closely with Thomas Rivers Brown at Rivers Marie, Outpost and other TRB projects but this wine is he and his wife's own project.  The vineyard has been in his wife Mary's, family for 70 years.  The wine itself is excellent and for their first time at bat, they hit a home run.  Inky purple in color, magenta at the rim.  Pop and pour, this took some time to open and was still getting better when the last drop was consumed a couple hours later.  Bright and opaque.  The nose is really unique.  Sure, it has cassis and a bit of blueberries, but

This is a blend of 80% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Ancellotta.  It is a big wine made from Estate grown fruit in Paraje Altamira.  It is a big wine that clocks in at 14% Abv although it seems a bit higher.  It is also delicious and makes a great drink when sitting around with friends.  Deep purple in color.  The nose has plums, some black raspberries, spice and slight coffee bean.  On the palate, this has medium tannins.  It is thick and voluptuous.  Plums and cassis flavors with some oak.  Slightly ripe/sweet on the finish.  A fun wine that should be consumed in the next few yea

This winery has recently been sold to new owners.  They are one of the largest producers in South Africa having opened in 1989.  Mostly known for their Chenin Blanc, this red is affordable and a great value too.  It is a blend of 32% Cabernet Franc, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, and 7% Malbec.  The new label is plain and classy, but I always liked the old one with a picture of a dog.  A note for the 2013 is on this site and features that label.  The wine itself is drinking very well.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cassis, plums, baking spice and slight tobacco not

Scott Palazzo makes some mighty fine wines out in Napa.  This one is no exception.  This is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon hence the "Right Bank" name.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is very nice with black cherries, cherries, a bit of dark chocolate, slight cigar box and spice.  On the palate, this has a lush texture but is by no means a fruit bomb.  Good acidity.  This will work well with a wide variety of foods especially roasts.  There are still tannins present and this did improve a bit with air.  It should continue to improve for the next few ye

This is a 50/50 Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon blend from the Bekaa valley in Lebanon.  It is a reasonably priced wine and well worth the price of admission.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, spice and a bit of char.  On the palate, this is tasty with black raspberry fruit.  This is about easy drinking in the near term.  No tannins.  It probably needs to be drunk soon at this point (it is already six years old).  It will go with a wide variety of foods.  Obviously mid-eastern foods come to mind, but it will work well with Indian foods too.  

Randy Dunn's wines are notorious for taking a long time to open and develop.  A recent 1997 Napa was in great shape and just entering a drinking window.  So it was with some trepidation that I tried this wine.  It was actually drinking nicely, if tannic, tight and in need of a long sleep.  For those who like big tannins, perhaps they might open one now, but the price on this and its potential really do speak to showing some patience.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cassis, some char and spice.  On the palate, this has firm tannins but persistent cassis fruit.  Deep but hard to see the bo

Looking for an inexpensive Cabernet?  This might fit the bill for you?  It is a big, warm wine.  Inky purple in color.  The nose is dusty with black raspberries and some alcohol.  Medium tannins.  Lot of jammy black raspberries on the palate.  Some warmth on the finish.  This is a wine to be poured at parties and summer BBQ's.  It is not complex or made to age.  It is for short term, fun drinking.  At under $20, that is a good deal.