Cabernet Sauvignon

One of the stars of Washington wines.  Purple, ruby at the rim.  The nose is really interesting.  It had a spiciness which seems quite unique.  Also some black cherries, kirsch, and toast.  On the palate, this is still tannic.  Plenty of black cherry fruit though, so this should continue to develop.  Medium bodied.  Plenty of ripeness here but not over the top.  Some heat on the finish.  It drinks well now, but seems like further improvement is likely.  Needs bigger foods to pair with.  

Nice wine.  From an easy to drink vintage that may have been the last reasonably priced vintage across the board in Bordeaux.  Even the best ones should be drunk sooner than later and while this is in that category, at age 16, it offered up a very nice wine.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is clean with some cassis and slight herbal note.  On the palate, nice one dimensional cassis fruit.  A bit shallow but still fresh.  Not a lot of development here and no funk, tobacco, or other tertiary qualities but what is here is quality.  

Great wine and in a great place.  Still has plenty of life left but fantastic right now.  Purple in color, although a bit dull at the ruby rim.  The nose is fantastic; cassis, cigar box, cherries and dust.  With air it brings some funk in a beautiful way.  On the palate, cassis, dry earth and slight spice.  Complex and tightly layered it unwinds quickly in the glass.  Long finish.  This would be ideal with heavier or meat based dishes.  Truly a contemplative wine and everything you could hope for back when this wine was released.  

This was pop and gently poured around the table.  Ruby/brown in color.  The nose is dusty at first.  With air some cassis and celery come out.  With more air, the cassis takes over along with some cigar box, but after a bit, it starts to fade albeit slowly.  On the palate, it starts out slightly bitter but with air gets a bit riper.  Not the deepest or most complex wine but still drinking nicely.  Certainly past prime at this point but with something to offer.  A nice contrast to slightly more youthful wines.  At 35 years from birth, pretty impressive.  

This is a blend of Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Trincadeira and Cabernet.  Purple /ruby in color.  The nose is warm with black raspberries, raisins, dust and spice.  On the palate, this seems a bit cooler.  Cherries with dry earth.  Its a big fruity wine.  Some warmth on the finish.  There is some complexity here and light tannins.  It will take heartier foods.  These are pretty unique grapes so its not clear how well this ages.  Probably best to drink the next five years.  Still, for around $20, this is a nice value.  

This is a Cab/Merlot/Cab Franc blend from South Africa.  Purple, ruby at the rim.  The nose is interesting.  Red fruits with some bell pepper notes.  A bit of tobacco as well.  On the palate, this seems a bit better.  Cherries and some cassis.  Underlying earthiness.  Good finish.  Drinks like a nice Bordeaux with a bit of age on it.  The bell pepper on the nose will be welcome to some and a problem for others.  Seems to be at peak right now.  Drink sooner than later.  

Yowza!  What a great wine.  Seems to be at peak right now though should stay here for a while.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  What a great nose.  Cassis, black licorice, spice and slight blueberries.  Very deep.  On the palate, this is deep and complex.  Lots of black cherry and cassis fruit.  Underlying minerality.  Spice.  Amazing texture; luxurious.  Lots of glycerin.  Long finish.  Will work with bigger foods.  One of those wines where each sip makes you want another.  

This is an interesting wine.  It is a Cabernet made in a Solera style.  The first vintage had 1992 thru 1998.  This is the second vintage and then included a Solera of 1992 thru 1999.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cedar, cassis, dust and with air, an earthiness comes out.  Layered and complex on the palate,  Cassis and spice and underlying earthiness.  Good finish.  Basically, this is high end Napa Cab, but the Solera gives it a bit of complexity.  Needs big foods.  

Decanted for sediment and served.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is earthy with cedar, spice, cassis, and slight celery note.  Much more developed and intense on the palate.  Cassis and slight tobacco.  Good finish.  Classic Bordeaux.  Served with hearty foods and meats.  This producer had some issues in the late 80's but since the mid-90's they have been doing a great job.  

12/28/2018 - So glad I was able to try this again.  A friend offered it up and I jumped at the chance to try a clean bottle.  The cork was clean to the top with just a bit of red stain on the bottle of the cork.  Purple in color.  The nose has nice cassis and a fair amount of oak showing itself as spice and cedar.  On the palate, this is clean with a nice full texture.  Cassis fruit with some lumber and some cedar.  There is a nice depth here.  Firm tannins.  Long finish.  It needs a couple of years in a good cellar to come together.  Requires big bold food right now.  Cellaring for five ye