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| Overall impressions: a tasting of mostly 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, with a smattering of Merlot or blends. Of the Cabs, the top three were excellent - if $55-60 each. Of these, the Merryvale the standout. This leaves the Zhatilia, Chimney Rock, Ritchie Creek, Sinann, and August Briggs as the "value" labels in the top tier. The Twomey Merlot continues to impress me, though at $60, it's still out of reach. Wandering down a little farther, the "regular" Justin Cabernet was a nicely balanced wine - especially at less than $20. The BV clearly wants to become a player once again, and appears to be on the right track. This might be the best Judd's Hill I've tasted in awhile. Though, at $70, it's certainly not a steal. Finally, Silver Oak is always controversial - though this time out, maybe less so. |
2002
Waterbrook Melange - Columbia Valley. $10.99. Medium
ruby garnet color. Quite Rhone-like in the nose, with slightly candied
aromas of raspberry and blackberry, and a bit of leather. Very fruity
mouthfeel, nice balance, very tasty, with a medium-long finish.
Not a wine to sit and discuss, but certainly a nice one to drink.
A blend of Cab, Merlot, Syrah, and Sangiovese. 2001
Grove Street Cabernet Sauvignon - Alexander Valley. $8.99.
Medium-dark ruby color. Notes of cherry, black cherry, and a touch
of cheesy oak in the nose. Lots of cherry in the mouth, with a freshly
macerated fruit quality. Seems very nice in initial mouthfeel, but
the fruit get a bit disjointed and the coarser tannins start to
wear on the palate rather quickly. More complexity than a Two-Buck
Chuck, but the oak/tannins will get to you in the long run. 2001
Twomey Merlot - Napa Valley $59.99. Medium-dark
ruby garnet color. Very nice nose, with lots of black cherry, chocolate,
and toast. Excellent balance, off-sweet chewy fruit, with what seems
like French oak adding a nice touch to the very long smooth finish.
Somewhat plusher in mouthfeel than the Paloma...which is why I prefer
the Paloma. 2002
Ramey Claret - Napa Valley. $29.99.
Medium dark garnet-ruby color. Nose of smoky and toasty cassis,
with a light blackberry scent - almost like a nice older Syrah.
Excellent balance on the palate, smooth fine grained tannins, and
long finish. Ready, willing and able to drink now, but will improve
with some time. 2001
Benziger Tribute Cabernet Sauvignon - Sonoma Mountain. $44.99.
Dark ruby color. Nose of dense cassis, raspberry, and black cherry,
with just of hint of celery seed. Very nice flavor profile, good
balance, long finish. The nose is a bit more enticing than the mouthfeel,
which seemed just the slightest bit underfilled. 80% bio-dynamically
farmed Cabernet Sauvignon. 2001
S.P. Drummer - Sonoma County/Napa County. $44.99.
Dark ruby-garnet color. Quite ripe in the nose, with sweet dark
fruit and a touch of toast and vanilla. Slightly less ripe in mouthfeel,
with very nice balance, and long smooth finish. 60/40 Sonoma/Napa
fruit, and 60% Merlot, 20% Cab Franc and 20% Cab Sauv. Interesting
blend, and nicely made, if a bit unusual in appellation. 2001
Judd's Hill Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley. $69.99.
Medium ruby-garnet color. Very nice black cherry fruit in the nose.
Smooth mouthfeel, very good balance - more to the Claret style in
mouthfeel, and long finish. I'vealways felt Judd's Hill wines have
had a higher acid balance than I care for. This one's very nice. 2001
Justin Cabernet Sauvignon - Paso Robles. $18.99.
Medium garnet-ruby color. Ripe - but not overripe nose of cassis
and black cherry, with just a bit of toast. Full and rich on the
palate, with lots of ripe chewy fruit, and long finish that shows
just a bit of oak. probably the best "regular" Justin
Cab in awhile. 2001
Beaulieu Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley. $17.99.
Medium ruby-garnet color. Nose of cassis, light oak, touch of vanilla
- very much like a lesser Cru Bordeaux. Clingy and slightly macerated
mouthfeel, and nice long finish. A very nice wine, that - if priced
less than $15 - would squash the competition. 2002
Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon - Baby Poux Vnyd, Columbia Valley. $32.99.
Dark ruby color. Beautiful nose of clove-scented dark cherry fruit,
with just a hint of pine. Sweet-sour macerated fruit on the palate,
excellent balance and chewy long finish. Despite the "cute"
name, this wine is delicious! 2001
Ritchie Creek
Cabernet Sauvignon - Spring Mtn. $31.99.
Very dark ruby color. Loads of black cherry, cassis, and Kiwi shoe
wax in the nose. Big, robust, gutsy, moderately tannic - everything
you want in a Cal Cab. An excellent wine, and priced like they want
your business! |
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2001
August Briggs Cabernet Sauvignon - Monte Rosso Vnyd, Sonoma Valley.
$37.99. Dark
ruby-garnet color. Perfumy and ripe in the nose, with lots of black
cherry and a touch of herbs. Lots of dusty cassis flavors, plenty
of fruit and toast across the palate, with a smooth long finish
that show just a light oak bite. The Briggs Cabs usually run more
to the plusher side of things. This one's been working out at the
gym. 2001
Chiarello Family Eileen Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley.
$38.99. Medium
dark ruby-garnet color. Very nice spice-laden nose, with lots of
cassis, herbs, and toast. Ample flavors on the palate, though somewhat
acid-based in mouthfeel, with a long slightly crisp finish. Liked
the nose a lot, but the mouthfeel cries out for food. 2001
Zahtila Cabernet Sauvignon - Beckstoffer Vnyd, Rutherford. $38.99.
Very dark ruby-garnet color. Clove-scented cassis and black cherry
nose, with just a touch of toasted nuts and vanilla. Full rich mouthfeel,
sweet fine-grained tannins, and very, very long finish. Only in
their 2nd year of production, this winery is coming on strong. Don't
let this one slip away. 2001
Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon - Stags' Leap Dist. $39.99.
Dark ruby color. Nose of cassis, black cherry, light chocolate and
herbs. Plenty of vanilla and spicy cassis on the palate, excellent
balance, and lightly chocolate-influenced long finish. Classic SLD
nose and taste. 2001
Corison Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley. $49.99. Medium-dark
ruby color. Lots of cake spice and black cherry in the nose. Smooth,
very fine-grained tannins, excellent balance, lovely smooth vanilla
and dark cherry flavors through the long finish. These Cabs are
always a pleasure to drink. 2001
Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon - Beckstoffer Vnyd, Oakville.
$55.99. Dark
ruby-garnet color. Wow! Beautiful nose of cassis, black cherry,
cake spices, and toast. Nearly perfect balance, fabulous flavors
of dark fruit and vanilla on the palate, with a long very smooth
seamless finish. Merryvale is back! 2001
Amizetta Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley. $59.99.
Medium
dark ruby-garnet color. Terrific nose of dark cherry, vanilla, spices,
with a touch of herbs and light toasty aromas. Big chewy mouthfeel,
lots of juicy fruit throughout, seamless finish that seems to go
on forever. 2000
Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon - Alexander Valley. $59.99. Medium
dark ruby garnet color. Slightly herbaceous nose of cassis, toast,
and vanilla. Moderately-full mouthfeel, good flavor profile and
balance, the the wine seems a little underfilled. It appears the
inherent dill-quality in the nose is not nearly a predominant this
year. Wish the fruit level had been higher on the palate. |
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No original material may be reproduced without written consent Mail & Comments - Eric Anderson |