Cabernet Sauvignon

This is a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec and the remainder Petite Verdot and Merlot.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, graphite, plums, and char.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Nice balance.  On the palate, this seems fully mature but not showing much age past that.  Lovely texture.  Flavors of cassis and plums with underlying earthiness and char.  Long finish.  This should stay at this level and drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  Nice on its own, this will work with many foods (not seafood).  Brisket would work well.  

This is Cabernet Sauvignon from Mt. Veeder and St. Helena.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, dark chocolate, chocolate, cedar, coffee, and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Nice energy.  On the palate, there is cassis, black cherries, chocolate, coffee and char.  Long finish.  It could use another three to five years in the cellar but no harm in opening now.  It should easily go another twenty years.  It will work well with Roasted Beef or Brisket but also Roasted Acorn Squash.  

As good as this bottle was, it was not pristine.  It was purchased via auction.  The cork was a bit raised under the foil.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, Mostly opaque but flat (it should have been shimmering bright).  The nose is nice with cassis, milk chocolate, dust and clay.  Great plush texture.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, cassis, blueberries with slight char.   Long finish.  This bottle seemed a bit past peak and with less energy.  That said, it was outstanding and delicious.  Well stored bottles will flirt with a 100 point score.