Bordeaux Blend

A very pretty, classically styled Sonoma Cabernet.  This is a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec, and 2% Merlot.  Purple in color with some purple swirls.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, tobacco, slight bell pepper and spice.  On the palate, this is full bodied with medium tannins.  Cassis with a nice underlying earthiness/forest floor.  Good balance.  Ripe but not over blown by any means.  This should drink well for the next fifteen years as it develops and matures.  Drinking great on its own, this will work well with roasts or casseroles.  

This is a nice value in inexpensive Merlot.  It is a blend of 88% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec.  Medium ruby in color.  The nose has plums, cherries and spice.  On the palate, this is light to medium bodied.  Light cherry fruit.  Easy drinking.  Nice finish.  This is made for immediate drinking.  It drinks well on its own and would be great with burgers or grilled chicken.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

This is a second growth under the 1855 classification system.  Not a super second but often can be found for a reasonable price.  A blend of  53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  Slight funk in the glass which slightly blows off with air.  Cassis, cedar and roasted herbs.  On the palate, this has nice fruit plums and cass along with some underlying spice/cedar.  Slightly drying tannins.  Long finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with roasted fowl or meats.  It is close to peak but may still be a bit better.  It sh

Purple in color.  The nose is earthy with cassis, graphite and smoke. On the palate, this has ripe fruit.  Cassis with underlying spice and char.  The tannins are slightly drying.  Overall a nice complexity.  This wine is about as good as it will get but should be good for ten to fifteen more years.  It will go well with roasted fowl or meats.  

This showed well if a bit less than hoped.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has nice cassis fruit with some underlying baking spices.  On the palate, this is a bit thin but nice cassis fruit.  Sinewy texture.  Tannins seem resolved.  Drinks easy but tasty.  Moderate finish.  This seems like it is at peak and probably should be consumed in the next five to ten years.  It will go well with stews or chili.  

Labelled as Cru Bourgeois, half of this wine's production is typically kosher although this bottle was not so marked.   A blend of 45% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color.  The nose has plenty of barnyard with some cherries.  On the palate, this is soft, but has a nice complexity.  Plums and cherries.  Light tannins.  Moderate finish.  This probably won't get better but should maintain this level for another ten to twelve years.  It will go well with stews and casseroles.  

Dominus is one of the greats.  The same owners as Petrus in Bordeaux, they make what is generally believed to be the most Bordeaux styled wine in Napa.  But it is also something of California with sunshine and ripeness.  This bottle had been decanted for a couple of hours.  Deep purple in color.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, cigar box and slight earthiness.  On the palate, this has light tannins.  Cassis is prominent with underlying earthiness.  Tight layers that unwind in the glass.  This needs another five years at least to peak but is enjoyable now.  It should last another twenty

The 2003's a general rule are all drinking at peak now.  It was a very hot vintage.  Some wines got very ripe and others, stayed green when the plants shut down due to the heat.  Inky purple in color.  Opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, spice and cinnamon.  Very clean.  On the palate, this has light to medium tannins,  still plenty of cherries and black cherries.  Ripe bit not over the top although concentrated.  Long finish.  This probably won't get better but should be good for another ten to fifteen years.  it will work well with grilled or roasted meats or on its own.  

This is still a bit young but rounding into peak form and almost there.  With a  bit of air, this is drinking quite well.  A blend of 95% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Merlot.  Purple in color.  The nose is great with black cherries, leather, cigar box, slight dark chocolate, cherries and slight spice.  On the palate, this has a lush but firm texture.  Lots of energy.  Layers of fruit and dried tobacco with a bit of char.  Complex.  Light tannins.  After about an hour, this was singing.  Long finish.  This will work with most heavier foods especially roasts or casseroles (wit

This is an excellent value in red wine.  It is a blend of 80% Merlot with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, dark chocolate and a hint of spice.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has nice black cherry fruit with some depth.  Light tannins.  Underlying earthiness.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This drinks well on its own and should be great with poultry dishes or even a burger.  It should be consumed over the next five to seven years.  While wine prices vary at the time of this writing, this wi