Cabernet Sauvignon

This is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec from Paso Robles coming in at 13.8% abv according to the label.  Purple with ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, green bell peppers and a slight celery seed note.  Light to medium bodied with medium tannins.  On the palate, nice black cherry fruit.  This is an easy going red wine that is a nice value.  It drinks well on its own and would be a nice wine with burgers off the grill.  Drink over the next few years.  

This winery still exists but they were sold and utilize a completely different model for grapes these days.  But, back in the day, this was the best winery in Ohio.  It is located in the southern part of the state along the Ohio River.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight herbal notes and a bit of spice.  Medium to firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, green bell pepper, and some spice.  Good finish.  Overall, a pleasant, quality Cabernet that at age 19  is drinking just fine.  still, I would drink these sooner than later.  Probably b

Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, slight blueberry, cedar, spice and nice minerality.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is still youthful.  Vibrant cassis with minerality and light char.  Long finish.  This is not a bold wine, but has a lot of energy.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  It is very nice on its own and will work with bigger foods.  It went well with roasted peppers stuffed with rice.  

This is the basic Cabernet and for a wine made by Thomas Rivers Brown, this is one of the better values out there.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, cigar box, spice and slight vanilla.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is still primary.  Cassis with some char.  Deep.  Delicious.  Long finish.  This is drinking nicely but will get better with some time in the cellar.  Drink over the next fifteen to twenty years.  Best on its own at this point, but with age it will be nice at the dinner table.  

Beautiful wine.  Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is excellent.  Cassis, slight vanilla, blueberries, spice and char.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cassis, blueberries, tobacco and spice.  Deep.  Tight complexity that unwinds in the glass.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now, but will continue to develop as it ages.  Good now, good then.  Drink over the next fifteen to twenty years.  Great on its own, this would be a nice accompaniment to primer rib or a steak.   

This is their basic wine but it less expensive and almost as good as their single vineyard designate Cabs.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, cedar, sandalwood, char, and sour cherries.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Great acidity.  Crisp yet creamy texture.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Cassis, black cherries with spice and char.  Long finish.  This is young and should improve with another five to ten years of cellaring.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  It would be a nice wine with a hearty eggplant or vegetarian lasagna.  

Purple in color with some ruby hues and ruby at the rim.  Mostly opaque if a bit flat.  The nose has some funk on it (more than just bottle age) along with cassis and leather.  Full bodied.  On the palate, sweet cassis fruit with underlying earthiness.  Mature but still offering up a lot.  Nice finish.  This is probably better with some food at this point.  Goulash would work well.  Drink over the next few years.  

If you look around, this varies in price from $35 to $70 typically.  At the former, that is a tremendous value in California Cab.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has spice, cassis, black cherries, slight chocolate and char.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, ripe cassis (not over ripe) with some underlying char.  Long finish.  Very tasty on its own and makes a great wine with burgers or meatloaf (or a steak).  Drink over the next ten years.  

This is a household favorite every vintage, but this one may be the best yet.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is big with cassis, cedar, slight leather and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is young but accessible.  Big fruit but not overblown.  Good energy.  Cassis, leather and spice.  Long finish.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  Great on its own, this would be nice with grilled Portobello Mushrooms.

This is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot from the very good 1996 vintage in Bordeaux.  purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  There is some cassis but mostly dried fruits, tobacco, cigar box, dried leather and some spice.  Medium bodied with good acidity.  On the palate, this is complex and fully mature.  It doesn't seem much past though (depending on how you like older Bordeaux).  Black cherry fruit, dried cherries, forest floor, and slight spice.