The Cabernet Sauvignon I've already looked at from Kiamie Wine Cellars is currently their lone varietal bottling. Their other two releases are both blends. The Kiamie Kuvée I'm looking at today is the flagship offering of their young brand.
The 2005 Kiamie Kuvée is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 12% Syrah, 8% Malbec & 5% Zinfandel. Grapes were sourced from four distinct vineyards on the Westside of Paso Robles. The wine was aged for 18-20 months in 40% new French and Hungarian Oak. 1000 cases of the Kiamie Kuvée were 
produced and the suggested retail price is $44.
Bright berry fruit and vanilla notes fill the nose of the Kiamie Kuvée. The first sip reveals some tartness. This subsides after some time in the glass. Decanting this one for an hour or even two would be hugely beneficial at this point in this young wines life. Once it opens up dark jammy berry fruit and black pepper emerge. Black Cherry is the main story in the mid-palate with spice underpinning it. Subtle earthiness emerges in the finish, which is fairly lengthy.
I enjoy proprietary blends that go outside of he box. In this case what I mean is that they chose not to stick with just either Bordeaux or Rhone varietals. Kiamie Wine Cellars uses varietals from each of those areas. And in addition to that, the inclusion of Zinfandel seems like a nod not only to California, but specifically Paso Robles, which is known for some tremendously exciting Zinfandels.
The Kiame Wine Cellars Kuvée is a very good wine that needs some time to reach it's full potential. Right now it's a little tight. A year or so in the bottle should do wonders for this blend and it's cohesiveness. After that it should drink nicely for 6 or more years. As with the Cabernet Sauvignon this is another solid effort, particularly for a premiere vintage. I'm looking forward to revisiting Kiamie Wine Cellars Kuvée in future vintages to see the strides and growth it experiences as time and vintages pass
Up Next: Kiamie Wine Cellars: White Kuvée..
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