Cabernet Sauvignon

A big surprise on the upside drinking this wine.  It was much younger and better than I expected (and I had high expectations).  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is young with cassis, cedar, a bit of graphite and slight roasted herbs.  On the palate, what a lovely lush texture.  Still a lot of primary and secondary flavors.  Cassis, chocolate and then with air an underneath of dry forest floor.  Medium tannins.  Nice balance.  Long finish.  This bottle anyway, still needs around five to seven more years to peak, but again, at age 37, all bottles are different.  It would go great

This bottle was decanted for an hour and then double decanted back in the bottle.  It might have needed a bit more than that but that was good.  Ruby/purple in color.  Clear and bright.  The nose is a bit of a dusty attic at first.  With air, cherries and cedar come out.  Light tannins on the palate.  Cherries with sandalwood and slight forest floor on the palate.  This has a nice complexity with good layering.  This seems at peak now.  No hurry but it probably should be drunk by 2030.  It will work better at the table at this point, roasted meats, fowl or veggies would be great.  

Pop and pour, this probably should have been decanted.  It took some time to open up.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has cassis, pencil lead, cedar and tobacco.  Cherries come out with air.  This has a slight funk at first but cleans up with air.  A wonderful velvety texture.  Complex and deep.    Lot of cassis and cherries on the palate.  Some cherry cough syrup.  Tart acidity which begs for food.  Long finish.  This seems to finally be at peak though no hurry.  At least a decade more at this level.  This will go well with meat or fowl dishes though not too spicy.  

A very pretty Rosé from the heart of Provence.  52% Grenache, 23% Syrah, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cinsault, and 3% Rolle.  Salmon pink in color.  The nose is nice with cherries, slight floral and strawberries.  On the palate, this is dry.  Slightly viscous.  Nice strawberry fruit.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This won't drink better than this but should be good for another year.  It goes well with lighter food and salads.  Great value.  

This is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot.  If you are looking for a Cab that is under $40, this may be your ticket.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  The nose has cassis, tobacco, slight milk chocolate and spice.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Plenty of cassis and cherries, a bit of tobacco earthiness and a good dollop of oak.  Medium tannins.  Medium finish.  This could use another couple of years to allow the oak time to integrate.  If it does, this will merit another couple of points.  Drinking today is still nice if a more difficult food match.  

This would be another wine that might be polarizing.  It is far on the end of the big, fruit laden wine spectrum.  That's a great thing about wine; something for everyone.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, plums and cedar.  On the palate, this has light tannins.  Bold cassis fruit, blueberries and some plums.  Very ripe.  Somewhat sweet.  Like drinking a piece of mixed berry pie.  A little goes a long way but a glass was delicious.  And enough for me.  This will be a tough food match but would drink well with dessert of fruits and/or chocolate.  

The third of three wines tasted in this format.  It comes in a 375ml aluminum bottle with a wider screw cap.  This is a great idea for bringing wine places where glass is more difficult or not allowed.  At $8, it is a very good value in a California Cabernet.  The grapes are from three different vineyards in California's Central Coast.  The nose has cassis, cherries, some confectioners sugar.  Bright.  On the palate, this has black cherries with some mint.  Light tannins.  Slightly sweet.  It is tasty.  A bit short on the finish.  Easy drinking.  It worked well with just a slight chill to i

This wine was opened and decanted for at least three hours before drinking.  Not enough.  This should still be held.  It is a magnificent wine but very young still.  It is a  blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, and 9% Merlot.

This is not their Grand Vin but "just" the regular blend.  Not sure what that says more about, this wine of their top wines.  It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon of different clones of Cabernet.  This was made by the late Denis Malbec.  Inky purple in color.  The nose is great with cassis, slight pencil lead, chocolate and slight roasted herbs.  On the palate, this has a beautiful, almost seamless texture.  Plenty of depth.  Cassis fruit with slight dry tobacco and earthy notes.  Also a bit of chocolate.  Long finish.  Light tannins.  This is just about  mature, maybe a bit more to go.It should b

One of the historic names from Napa, it's always a pleasure to see a bottle end up at the table.  This is true to form.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose is classic with cassis, slight bell pepper, a touch of chocolate and some fresh cut lumber.  On the palate, still young with firm tannins.  Plenty of cassis fruit and some oak.  Needs another few years to develop and mature.  That said, it is drinking fine today as well.  Good drinking for 15 years at least.  This will work well with roasted or grilled meats and/or fowl.  These days it's a pretty good value in Napa Cabs.