Cabernet Sauvignon

The Paraduxx portfolio has been solely focused on blended wines, something they do admirably. The 2019 is comprised mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon with lighter amounts of five other grape including Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. The medley offers dusty black, cherry, blueberry, blackberry, red raspberry light cedar, and sandalwood notes with a very light green tea element and vanilla. The tannins are fairly taught, even after four years, supporting the structure of the wine, and the acidity comes into play making this an ideal companion for food.

This is made from Cabernet grapes predominately from Lodi.  The wine is raised in oak barrels and then finished in Bourbon Barrels.  Garnet in color with purple swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has smoke, tar and slight black cherries.  Medium bodied.

Not a lot of people realize that Mike Smith (Myriad among many others) is the winemaker at Becklyn.  Their wines are highly recommended.  This one is no exception.  It is the basic Cabernet in their lineup. Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, cedar,  and baking spices.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is complex, deep and also quite tight.  Flavors of cassis, some graphite and char.  Long finish.  It could use a few more years in the cellar or else give it a long decant for now.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.

It should be no surprise that this wine is a stunner. Chappellet has long delivered quality wines that exceed the status quo; nearly 60 years in fact. The fruit for this wine comes from Pritchard Hill, a well-know parcel that produces exceptional grapes. A classic old-school Cabernet, this offers blackberry, blueberry, huckleberry, boysenberry and black cherry notes with back notes of vanilla, sage, tight tannins, good acidity and the one thing that makes a wine sing – balance. Comprised of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, there are small amounts of Petite Verdot, Malbec and Merlot added in.

Every year Flora Springs produces holiday wines, this year with a beautiful etched bottle (and a three pack of three different holiday etchings and blends) featuring turtle doves. A cabernet dominate blend, this offers soft, bright fruit of black cherry, blackberry, huckleberry, boysenberry, with back notes of green tea leaf, sandalwood, Asian pear, vanilla, camp fire and light dusty mocha. 18 months of aging in French and American oak barrels rounds out the fruit. They don’t make much but it makes a unique gift. 230 cases. ORIGIN: Napa Valley. ALCOHOL: 14.2

This is another wine from the Michael Mondavi Family of wines.  This is the inaugural vintage of this wine sourced from various vineyards around Paso Robles.  It will be interesting to watch as they get a handle on what the vineyard has to offer.  That said, this first vintage is a very nice value in California Cabernet.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, char, spice and slight coffee note.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cassis, plums and char.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  This is nice on its own and will work with gr

Clearly made as nothing but an enjoyable glass of wine, which wine always should be, The Mill Keeper offers an incredibly viscous, smooth and velvety texture, leading to soft notes of blueberry, blackberry, and light mocha notes. In the background, vanilla, red raspberry, and Rainier cherries fill out the profile. What’s unusual about this wine is that it is pulled from multiple vintages and vineyard sites. The fruit is sourced mainly from vineyards in Napa and Sonoma that utilize sustainable management programs.

Shafer Hillside Select is truly an American First growth.  It has the production levels, the long history and the quality.  A great bottle of wine.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, slight blueberries, char, graphite and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the  palate, great texture.  Notes of cassis with graphite and char.  Deep and complex.  Long finish.  This is not yet at peak but getting there.  Delicious.  Drink over the next twenty years.  Great on its own, but this will work with hearty foods as well.  This would be perfect with brisket.  

It was great to try this wine again.  The last bottle about a year ago was stunning and so was this one.  The wine is opening up nicely if still young.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is excellent with cassis, blueberries, coffee grounds, spice and graphite.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Wonderful texture.  Lots of energy and great balance.  On the palate, cassis, coffee, blueberries and spice.  Long finish.

Tasted blind.  I guesses a 2017 Napa Cab with mountain fruit (Continuum?).  In a flight of 6 great wines, this was the one I was the most disappointed in after the label was revealed.  It is an outstanding wine, but with Latour, one expects more.  It is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon,  9% Merlot, with some Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot as well.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  On the nose, cassis, some graphite, a bit of forest floor and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, Cassis, slight cedar/woodiness and char.  Long finish.  I believe this to be at least p