2005 Terry Hoage Vineyards Syrah The Hedge, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

This is a big and brawny wine from California's central coast. Or, at least it was on release. It seems to have really settled down and is in a great place right now but still has years left. Inky purple in color with a thin ruby line at the rim. On the nose this has black raspberries, black pepper, slight floral notes and roasted meats. Thick and juicy with light tannins. Good acidity. Lots of black raspberry fruit intertwined with a scorched earthiness. Nice finish. This went well with spicy foods but also would work well with roasts and stews.

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Vintage:

2005

Top 50 California Cabernet Sauvignons to Try Before You Quit Drinking (a non-dump bucket list if you will!)

In putting together a list of the top California Cabernets, there is sure to be some disagreement. I tried to include those wines that have a track record, the wineries still making great wines, those that seemed to have the commitment for the future and some personal favorites. I am sure I left some out. 1. Shafer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select – It’s always hard to name the number one wine. But this has a track record that’s very long. Even in less than stellar vintages, it is an outstanding wine. They just don’t seem to make a dud. My only complaint is the price at over $200 a bottle. But, in comparison to other Napa Cabs or elsewhere in the world, this is a fair price.

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Heidi Peterson Barrett: Napa's Wine Diva on Winemaking, La Sirena, and the Legacy of Screaming Eagle

Heidi Peterson Barrett As arguably the most celebrated, respected, envied, and in-demand winemaker in America today, Heidi Peterson Barrett is one of only a handful of winemakers who can legitimately lay claim to "superstar" status. Her wines at both Dalle Valle and Screaming Eagle resulted in multiple 100 point scores from Robert Parker (Parker himself dubbed her the "First Lady of Wine") and helped redefine both the meaning and value of "cult" wines. She rocked the wine world at the 2000 Napa Valley Wine Auction as a 6-liter bottle of her 1992 Screaming Eagle sold for $500,000, in the process setting a world record for the highest price ever paid for a single bottle of wine (a vertical offering went for $650,000 at the 2001 Napa Valley Wine Auction). Heidi Peterson Barrett is currently winemaker for Amuse Bouche, Paradigm, Revana, Barbour, Lamborn, Fantesca, as well as her own label La Sirena . I recently had the pleasure of catching up with Heidi to talk about winemaking, her own La Sirena label, and the legacy of Screaming Eagle.

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Which California Cabernet Sauvignons Deserve "First Growth" Status?

In 1855, the Exposition Universelle was held in Paris to showcase all that was good in France. Emperor Napoleon III requested the leading Bordeaux merchants to rank the best wines . The top wines were rated as First Growths. Over the years, many people in the rest of the world have discussed what wines from their country would be First Growths. I am often asked what I think the First Growths of California are. It is an interesting conversation with lots of room for debate.

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2016 Justin Vineyards & Winery Isosceles, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

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Grade:

Current Price:

$70.00USD

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

2017 Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles, USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$19.00USD

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.

2005 Terry Hoage Vineyards Syrah The Hedge, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

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Top 50 California Cabernet Sauvignons to Try Before You Quit Drinking (a non-dump bucket list if you will!)

Heidi Peterson Barrett: Napa's Wine Diva on Winemaking, La Sirena, and the Legacy of Screaming Eagle

Which California Cabernet Sauvignons Deserve "First Growth" Status?

2016 Justin Vineyards & Winery Isosceles, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

2017 Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles, USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles, Wine Review