For more than ten vintages Quintessa in Napa Valley has been producing a Bordeaux style blend that does an excellent job of showing off its Rutherford lineage. A few years back they also started producing Faust. Faust is a Cabernet Sauvignon based wine with a Napa Valley appellation.

The 2005 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon is 77% varietal. 18% is Merlot and the balance is Cabernet Franc. Fruit was sourced in Rutherford and a vineyard south of Atlas Peak that will be called Tulocay in the future. The wine was aged in French oak for 18 months. 30% of it was new and the balance was one year old. The suggested retail price for this wine is $55.

Cherry, cedar and vanilla notes are prominent in the nose. From the very first sip and throughout the palate, there is a ton of berry fruit underscored by lighter vanilla notes. Earth, bramble, spice and mineral notes emerge in the mid-palate and continue through the finish which is long, lingering and incredibly smooth in nature. Throw in good tannic structure plus solid acidity and you have a classic example of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. This offering is a textbook wine to pair with Prime Rib.

What I like best about this wine is that it’s bigger, firmer and more structured than the average 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet. Many of the 2005′s I’ve tasted are on the softer side. The Faust is certainly approachable now, especially after an hour in the decanter, but it’s got the structure for mid-term aging too. I tasted this wine a second time after it had been open for 24 hours. It held up quite well.

This wine isn’t inexpensive. However there are many Napa Cabernet’s in this price range that aren’t as tasty or well made as the 2005 Faust. So if you’re inclined to spend the bucks on a 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet, here’s a fine example.

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The fourth wine I’m looking at that was made by winemaker Joe Otos is another Cabernet Sauvignon from Owl Ridge Wines. This time the fruit is from Dry Creek Valley. While Zinfandel is the first thing most people think of when it comes to this appellation, there are actually more acres of Cabernet Sauvignon under vine.

The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon is made from fruit sourced at the T.R. Passalacqua Vineyard. The wine was aged in all French oak, 40% of it new. 773 cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $38.

Cassis, plum and blackberry fill the nose of this Cabernet. I was hit with a touch of Eucalyptus on the first sip followed by a ton of rich, mouth-filling berry fruit. In the mid-palate a hint of chicory comes put accompanied by tobacco and dust that is so typical of Dry Creek. Black tea notes emerge as a lead in to the finish which is filled with crushed cherries, white pepper and vanilla. Sweet chocolate notes slither in and out of the palate making their presence known from time to time. This wine has approachable tannins and good acidity.

My favorite component of this wine is the rich berry fruit that really comes to the forefront throughout the palate. Time in the decanter allowed this wine to express itself fully. Once it opened up a good bit of earthiness exposed itself that had previously been hidden. As with the other wines I’ve looked at made by Joe Otos this is lovely expression of the varietal. I look forward to keeping up with his wine-making in the future.

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Rosenblum Cellars makes a wide array of wines. Some are vineyard designated, some are region specific. Most people probably know them best for their Vintner’s Cuvee Zinfandel which is widely available, and has been a positive value vintage after vintage for many years now. They’ve recently expanded that series and I’m looking at a couple of those wines,

The 2006 Vintner’s Cuvee from Rosenblum Cellars was made from fruit sourced from throughout California. The suggested retail price for this wine is $12. As with the Chardonnay it can often be found for $10 or less.

Black cherry, hints of cigar and emerging jam fruit elements make up the nose of this wine. Throughout the palate blackberry, cassis and white pepper are prominent. The finish has continued hints of each along with emerging dust and earth. This wine has light tannins and fair acidity. It’ll match with lighter meats, pasta or a slice of pizza.

What I like best about this wine is how smooth it is for its price category. The elements of fruit sourced from throughout the state make themselves known in different aspects of this wine. For $12 or less this wine has enough varietal character and complexity to keep things interesting. Its wide availability makes it a safe bet to locate.

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