Urraca - 2008 Malbec / 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

A few months back I took a look at several wines in the Urraca portfolio. A Chardonnay and two blends were the current releases at the time. All three were impressive expressions of what can be achieved in Argentina at a super-premium level. Now Urraca has also released a couple of varietal wines that come in at a lower price point. I’ll look at their current Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon today. First up is the Urraca 2008 Malbec. The fruit for this offering, 100% Malbec, was sourced at the Urraca vineyard in Agrelo. Barrel aging was accomplished over 12 months in a combination of new French and American oak. The suggested retail price for this wine is $24.50.

Plum, black cherry and hints of vanilla bean express themselves prominently in the nose of this Malbec. Throughout the persistent palate there is a lot of intense, dark and brooding fruit. In addition to being dark though the flavors are also fresh, young, brash and deep. Blackberry and raspberry are among the standout notes. Around mid-palate sweet dark chocolate notes kick in and continue through the lovely finish where they’re joined by black pepper, espresso, smoked meat and a hint of tar. The length of the finish is above average.

For me this Malbec compares favorably to well made and jammy Zinfandels from California. The commonalities include bold and expressive fruit and a wide range of flavors. In many ways I think these varietals have a lot in common as the entry point for both can be very reasonable in price with excellent quality for the money. And that is one of the many reasons I feel Malbec is making such an impact in the US. And to continue the comparison, both Malbec and Zinfandel can achieve greater and more complex things when the fruit, and the way it’s treated come together. This Malbec is one example of that.  For a bit over $20 this wine offers a very nice value and just as importantly an excellent expression of Argentina’s signature red varietal.

The second selection today is the Urraca 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon. As with the Malbec, fruit was also sourced at the Estate vineyard in Agrelo. This selection is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and it spent 12 months in a combination of new French and American oak. The suggested retail price for this wine is $24.50.

Bing Cherry aromas are prominent in the nose of this Cabernet Sauvignon along with some vanilla and an ever so subtle hint of tar. The palate is loaded with a solid core of fruit. Plum, blueberry and continued cherry are the stars of the show. Red fruit flavors lead, but darker fruit echoes it to provide a nice contrast on the tongue. Earth and black pepper emerge in the finish which has good length and remarkable smoothness. The tannins on this wine are fine and soft and it has very solid acidity. This is an excellent food wine and found myself craving a dish of pasta with red sauce.

When I first started drinking wines from Argentina about 15 years ago Cabernet Sauvignon is what drew me in. I was amazed by the number of remarkably solid Cabs coming out of Argentina at prices other parts of the world couldn’t touch. Today there are even more wines in that category on US shelves which serve as a good introduction to Argentine wines. However there is a growing segment of wines coming from Argentina that steps things up in quality and complexity. This Cabernet Sauvignon is simply better, with more going on than many others on the shelf. Yes it’s a bit more than the selections that are pure value products. They say you get what you pay for; in this case you get more. If you normally spend around $20 on Cabernet, from California for instance, you’ll be impressed with what this one delivers for the price. My recommendation would be to drink this 2008 Cabernet from Urraca over the next few years when its young fruit flavors can best shine.

While I’m a big fan of blends and always curious to see how the diverse varietals converge to create a unique wine, straight varietal offerings are equally fascinating to me. When they represent a particular spot in a specific year as these do they tell the story of a vineyard at a moment in time. Both of these wines from Urraca do that quite well. Considered alongside their super-premium offerings the Urraca portfolio has grown in breadth and impressiveness. I’m awed by the Urraca wines as a whole and equally excited by what they represent for Argentine wine in the US.

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Hess Collection - 2006 19 Block Cuvée

I’ve been fond of wines form Mount Veeder for many years now. But over the last year I’ve made a more concerted effort to try more of them. While I think a wide array of varietals shine up on Mt. Veeder the classic Bordeaux grapes are amongst those I feel stand out most often. Today I’m going to take a look at a selection from Hess Collection. They’re the largest winery on Mt Veeder by case production. Within their size though they do a wide variety of things; both small and large production wines are part of their portfolio. Their estate boasts 310 acres of vineyards which are sustainably farmed. Today I’ll look at one of their blends. The Hess Collection 2006 19 Block Cuvée is produced from estate fruit. The vineyard site the fruit was sourced from ranges in altitude from 1,300 to 2,000 feet. Fruit was selected from 19 blocks within the vineyard, thus the name of the wine. This selection is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (69%), Malbec (11%), Syrah (10%), Merlot (5%), Petit Verdot (3%) and Cabernet Franc (2%). Oak aging was accomplished over 18 months in French oak; 50% of the barrels were new. Just over 14,000 cases of this selection were produced and the suggested retail price is $35.

Leather and cherry notes are prominent on the nose of this Mt. Veeder blend. A host of berry fruit, (particularly blackberry) along with spice, and cigar box are part of the palate. Somewhere around mind-palate, dark, rich unsweetened chocolate notes kick in. The finish is nice and lengthy with black pepper, mineral notes and cherry that keeps echoing. This wine has a firm tannic structure that softens with some air, as well as firm acidity.

This is a very well rounded wine. While this selction is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, the other varietals shine through and create a very cohesive blend that makes this offering a clear case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. Though this wine also includes Syrah, stylistically it drinks like a Napa Valley Bordeaux or Meritage style blend. For a suggested retail price of $35 this wine over delivers in spades. With over 14,000 cases made it should be easy to locate too.

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Dinner With Kim Longbottom & Renae Hirsch of Henry's Drive

Last week I had the opportunity to have dinner with Kim Longbottom and Renae Hirsch of Henry's Drive. This Padthaway Australia producer has a vast repertoire of wines; some appropriate for everyday drinking and others for special occasions, gift giving or cellaring. I'd met Renae last year (read that report here) and at the time she had only been on the job a short while. With this followup meeting I was looking forward to learning how things had progressed for her at Henry's Drive. And of course I was also happy to be meeting proprietor Kim Longbottom. The first two wines we tasted were both Chardonnay based. First up was The Postmistress Blanc de Blanc. This sparkling wine is 100% Chardonnay and when it makes it to the US sometime in 2010 it will retail for $19.99. I found this to be a tasty lighter style of sparkling wine, one I'd consume with Brunch foods perhaps. The second wine was Morse Code Chardonnay. This is one of two varietal entries that will be part of the under $10 tier for Henry's Drive. It's fair to think of it and the Morse Code Shiraz as single varietal counterparts to the two Pillar Box wines. I really enjoyed the clean, fresh, fruit forward style of this 2009 Chardonnay. For a suggested retail of $8.99, this will make a solid choice for everyday drinking when it's released here in the next month or so.

Pillar Box Red is the first wine from Henry's Drive I became aware of several years back. I find that it's been a consistent offering in the value category and also a popular one. In speaking to Renae she indicated that a wine like Pillar Box Red which many people drink and are aware of is one of the selections she feels a bit more pressure in producing since it's had a longstanding reputation that preceded her becoming winemaker. No question to me that she's achieved her goal as the overall quality of this wine and its flavor profile have remained true to the course.

Two wines stood out as overall favorites for me. The Trial of John Montford was one. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (90%) and Cabernet Franc (10%), leads with a big nose of leather, berry and vanilla. Cherry and earth are amongst the dominat notes through the palate and they lead to a lengthy and layered finish. This 2007 selection has a suggested retail price of $29.99. While I think it's quite tasty now, a few years in the cellar will really help it come together into an even nicer package.

The 2007 Dead Letter Office Shiraz was my other favorite of the evening. This selection blends Shiraz from McLaren Vale (67%) in with the Padthaway (33%) fruit. Of the higher end reds in the Henry's Drive portfolio this is the wine that evolved the most dramatically in the glass throughout the evening. The combination of fruit from two sources lends itself to creating a very balanced Shiraz with a multitude of layers. The suggested retail price on this wine is $26.99

In all we went through 10 selections. Beside the wines already mentioned we tasted Pillar Box Reserve, Henry's Drive Shiraz, Henry's Drive Reserve Shiraz, and the Parson's Flat Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon. In speaking with Kim throughout the evening it was clear that the goal is to create full flavored wines with balance. This is a goal that in my opinion they're reaching. Certainly I have my favorites as I indicated above, but the house style in general is one that I have an overall fondness for. This is an Australian producer I gladly recommend; regardless of your wine budget there are Henry's Drive offerings you can find room for.

One of the other pleasures of meeting Kim was getting to hear details I wasn't familiar with about their use of Postal Service terms, names and legends for their wines. Having a story is one thing, but when it's backed by historical fact and reality it adds something to the intrigue of a bottle of wine.

By all means if you have the unique opportunity to spend some time, and taste wine, with these charming ladies I highly recommend it. Some even say they're a couple of Saucy Aussies.

Imported by Quintessential Wines.

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Del Fava Family Winery - 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Pick a winery, any winery and there's a fair chance they have a second label. Historically this was more often the case when a well known, possibly high end, producer wanted to put some everyday drinking wines on the shelf. These days however it's equally common form a winery to have  a second label that produces a higher or reserve tier of wines. Such is the case with Del Fava Family Winery. This is the new off shoot from V-Twin Vineyards, and their take on small production, reserve type wines. Today I'll look at their Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2007 Del Fava Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from fruit sourced in the Geyserville section of Alexander Valley. In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon (77%), this offering includes Syrah (12%), Petit Verdot (4%), Cabernet Franc (3%), Malbec, (2%) and Merlot (2%). Barrel aging was accomplished over a period of 16 months in a combination of new French and American oak. Alcohol content for this Cabernet Sauvignon is 14.2%. 168 cases of this vintage were produced and the suggested retail price is $28.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the first varietal that come to mind when I think of Alexander Valley. Over the years I've had quite a few excellent ones, both from large well known producers as well as boutique wineries. So I'm always eager to see what someone is doing with Alexander Valley Cabernet. The nose of this wine was slightly reserved at first but some time in the decanter really helped. Once it had opened up plum, blackberry and toasty oak notes fill the nose. Lots of ripe, sweet raspberry and cherry notes are evident throughout the palate along with a nice helping of blackberry as well, to round out the berry filled experience. Cherry pie crust and spice characteristics are evident from the first sip and carry through the finish which has leather, earth, cigar box and espresso notes. This wine has fine, yielding tannins as well as good acidity.

Having had a number of the wines that Scott Del Fava and his wife are making under the two labels, the story of the house style has emerged and become apparent to me. Each of the selections is full flavored, very smooth and layered with good complexity. This Cabernet is delicious now but will certainly improve with some time in the bottle. What impressed me most about this selection is that for $28 you have a very solid Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon which is appropriate for mid-term aging. I'd hold it for a year or so and drink it in the 5 or 6 after that.

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Martin Ray Winery - 2005 Synthesis Cabernet Sauvignon

A winery the size of Martin Ray makes many releases with large, sometimes huge case productions. So it's always interesting and informative to also look at what they're doing on a smaller scale. Today I'll look at such a selection from them. The Martin Ray 2005 Synthesis Cabernet Sauvignon is made from fruit sourced in three locations. The vast majority of the fruit is from Napa Valley; 67% from Diamond Mountain and 23% from Stags Leap District. The remaining 10% was sourced in the Sonoma Mountain Appellation. This wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Oak aging was accomplished with 34 months in French barrels. A tiny 103 cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $75.

It's important to mention immediately that this wine really needs to be decanted if you're going to drink it any time soon. An hour really helps, two hours would be even better. Once you've given it that time to aerate, this Cabernet is going to really be ready to perform. The nose is very expressive and filled with aromas of ripe summer berries, underscored by hints of vanilla. The Diamond Mountain fruit which represents more than two thirds of this cuvée really shines through with purity and intensity of flavor through the palate. Immense layers of dark berry, plum and bakers chocolate notes are accompanied by flourishes of black olive. Copious earth, black tea, mineral notes and black pepper emerge in a very nice and lingering finish. This wine has firm tannins that soften as the wine evolves, and solid acidity.

By combining fruit from three distinct parts of Napa and Sonoma Martin Ray has created a Cabernet blend with diverse elements that come together nicely as one. While this wine is delicuous now I expect it to evolve over the next 8 or so years and drink well for several after that. I went back to this Cabernet after it had been open for a full 24 hours and found it to be even tastier and more expressive than it was on the first day.

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Urraca - 2005 Familia Langley Reserva

Many well known wine regions make blends inspired by the well known examples that come out of Bordeaux. These can fall flat when the winery in question is simply trying to imitate a style. However when a producer aspires to make the best blend possible with the fruit available to them, all the while showing off their terroir, they have a much better chance of hitting the mark. Today I'll look at the third wine from Urraca, which is a Bordeaux style blend. The 2005 Urraca Familia Langley Reserva is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (36%), Malbec (36%), Cabernet Franc (17%) and Merlot (11%). Oak aging was accomplished in a combination of French and American barrels over a period of 18 months. The suggested retail price for this offering is $72.

Leather, vanilla, dark brooding berry and hints of espresso bean are all present in the nose. Lots of plum, blueberry, and a host of dark, ripe, heady berry fruit are prominent throughout the full bodied palate along with plum pudding spice. Sweet dark chocolate notes, black tea, mineral, white pepper, cigar-box and ever emerging earth characteristics come together to form an impressively lengthy finish. This blend has chewy tannins, good acidity and excellent overall structure. Pair it with big, bold foods that can match it's combination of power and elegance. The blend may be made of Old World components, but this is very much a New World wine.

As was the case with the 2005 Primera this wine should be decanted for maximum enjoyment if you're going to drink it in the next couple of years. My advice however is to tuck this away in your cellar and forget about if for the next 5 years or so. Then dig it out and drink it sometime over the next 8-10 years. The Urraca wines I have had are all excellent, well made, "high end" offerings. There are a ton of well priced, well made wines coming from South America in general and Argentina specifically. many of these offer value, and sufficient complexity for everyday drinking. The wines from Urraca aim for a different goal, they shoot for greatness. These delicious, complex wines meet their goal. In my opinion these offerings stand with a handful of other Argentine producers as examples of the best wines they offer.

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Cameron Hughes - 2006 Stag's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon (Lot 100)

It's been fascinating tasting wines in the Cameron Hughes Lot Series from time to time. One of the things that stands out to me about them is that they source fruit from numerous regions.  Often a  Négociant sources primarily (or wholly) from one region. By using the world as their source material Cameron Hughes Wine is able to provide a truly diverse array of offerings. Today I'll look at one of their California releases. The 2006 Cameron Hughes Lot 100 Stag's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon has fruit from Coombsville (9%) and Mount Veeder (3%). In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon this offering has 3% Petit Verdot blended in. 4,000 cases of this cuvee were produced and the suggested retail price is $20.

This Cabernet is a touch young right now. If you're going to drink it in the next year or so don't be shy about decanting it. An hour would be great, two hours even better. Once it's had that chance to get some air the nose of this wine is quite expressive. Violets, plums, leather and blackberry are all present and prominent. These characteristics continue through the palate where they are joined by an avalanche of cherries as well as subtler cardamon and cinnamon. layer after layer of flavor emerges in the palate which is full flavored and persistent however quite well balanced. Mineral notes, tobacco, black tea and continued spice make up a lengthy and impressive finish. This Cabernet has firm but yielding tannins and good overall structure. While it will pair well will an array of foods, this is the style of Cabernet I like to drink on its own over a long afternoon or evening as I contemplate its many changes.

What stands out most about this wine is that it continues the Cameron Hughes tradition of delivering much more value than the sticker price would indicate. I don't know who they sourced the fruit from, but I suspect that if that name were on the label this would be at least a $35 bottle. If you can wait, I'd lay this down for 3-4 years. That time will really serve this beautiful Cabernet well.

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Cornerstone Cellars - 2004 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Today’s recommendation for a Father’s Day gift of Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Napa Valley. Travel to Napa and you’ll get to taste many different varietals, but one fact will quickly take hold; Cab is King. And with Dad being King on Father’s Day it’s only natural that a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon would make a nice gift. Today’s selection is from Cornerstone Cellars. This boutique producer of Cabernet makes just a few thousands cases of wine per year. At just over 1,200 cases their 2005 Napa Valley designated selection is their largest current production. Their wines are made by Celia Masyczek who is both highly regarded and sought after. Today I’m going to look at their, smaller production, Howell Mountain Cabernet.  This Napa Valley sub-appellation is located east of Calistoga. Elevations 1,400 feet and above, a lack of fog, early morning warmth and vineyards that fully ripen a bit later than the rest of the valley are all things that make Howell Mountain unique. The Cornerstone Cellars 2004 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is composed of fruit harvested over a period of a month. This wine is 100% Howell Mountain and all Cabernet. Aging was accomplished over 22 months in French oak; 75% of the barrels were new. 620 cases of this vintage were produced. The suggested retail price for this wine is $100.

A couple of things are readily apparent about this Cabernet when you pour and taste it. The first thing is that it’s black as night; reminding me a bit of Petite Sirah in its hue. Second and not at all surprising is that it needs some air. There’s a lot going on the minute you pop the cork and taste it so you could be fooled into not decanting; don’t make that mistake. After an hour in the decanter the difference is beyond substantial. It’s like the distinction between taking a car with a big engine out on the highway and opening it up after having cruised neighborhood streets for an hour; only then can you truly appreciate the power of the engine. The same thing is true with this Cabernet Sauvignon.

Having given it that time to open up I found the nose to be full of effusive black raspberry, earth, mushroom and hints of leather. The palate is intense and layered with opulent fruit, bold spice and tremendous mineral notes that underpin things. The finish, which has terrific length, features ever emerging earth, dusty baker’s chocolate notes and echoing spices. This wine is very well structured.

What I like best about this offering is that it achieves its intent. The 2004 Cornerstone Cellars Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is a full throttle, ripe Napa wine with the added punch of mountain fruit intensity. All that said this wine is balanced and will age well. No doubt in fact that this Cabernet will improve for 15-20 in appropriate storage conditions. Personally though, I find its exuberance and explosive berry fruit hard to resist right now. So if Dad has been good this year and you decide to splurge on this wine for him, know that you are getting a tremendous example of Cabernet from one of the regions it flourishes in. If you're lucky, he'll share some with you.

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Martin & Weyrich - 2005 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon

Martin & Weyrich has become a standard bearer for me when it comes to Paso Robles Wineries. They’re one of the larger producers and make a broad selection of offerings. They also manage to maintain a high level of quality across those offerings. It’s unlikely to love every selection from a winery, particularly one that makes as many releases as Martin & Weyrich does. The bottom line though is that by and large I find their wines, well made, appealing, and interesting. More often than not they are also priced fairly. All that said, when I decided to taste through about a dozen Cabernet Sauvignons so I could find a handful I felt comfortable recommending as Father’s Day gifts it seemed natural to check in with the latest one from Martin & Weyrich. The Martin & Weyrich 2005 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon is made from fruit sourced at the Weyrich Family Ranch. Aging was accomplished in French oak for 24 months. 188 cases of this offering were produced and the suggested retail price is $30.

This wine is a touch closed up at first and some time in the decanter is recommended if you're drinking it now. Once it opens up, berry, bramble and cedar notes emerge in the nose of this Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. Black cherry, black raspberry, nutmeg and crushed white pepper are prominent throughout the palate. Dried cherry, earth and a touch of espresso all emerge in the finish which is of above average length. This wine is well structured and has firm acidity. Roasted game or pasta with a hearty meat sauce would be excellent matches for this Cabernet.

People are discovering Paso Robles, but it's still not a household name, meaning there are still a lot of values to be had there. This Cabernet Sauvignon is one of them. It’s $30 but would be a lot more if it came from a region that was better known. In this price range it’s a bonus to get a Cab that you can easily lay down for 7-8 years. If you want to splurge a little on Dad get him two bottles of this wine; one to drink now and one to age.

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Two Angels - 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

The second Cabernet Sauvignon I’m going to recommend as a Fathers Day gift is from Two Angels. The winemaker for the Two Angels releases is the Legendary Bob Pepi. He makes a wide range of quality wines for several producers in the US and abroad. The 2006 Two Angels Cabernet Sauvignon is made from fruit sourced on Sonoma’s Mayacamas Mountain, In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon (76%), Merlot (18%) and Cabernet Franc (6%) were blended in. This offering was aged in a combination of French (85%) and American (15%) oak for 18 months; 40% of the barrels were new. This selection is finished in screw top. 600 cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $27. Leather, cherry and vanilla notes are all prominent on the nose of this Cabernet Sauvignon. Throughout the palate, layer after layer of cherry and spice are present. Earth, mineral, black tea, pencil lead, tobacco and light truffle notes all emerge in the persistent finish. This wine has good structure and acidity. This Cabernet would be an excellent match for Pork Carnitas or other flavorful meats.

The elegance of this Cabernet is what stood out most to me about it. From the moment you open and pour this wine it’s immediately smooth and graceful. It’s gentle and refined but keeps coming at you with wave after wave of complex flavors and characteristics. This release will be enjoyable for the next several years. This is an offering that tastes more expensive than its $27 price point. Buy this Cabernet for Dad and he's sure to think you spent more on his gift than you actually did.

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Martin Ray - 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Father’s Day is coming up this week and I’m sure many people are still wondering what to get Dad this year. I can tell you, I’m pretty certain Dad does not want a tie. Somehow neckties have come to symbolize the classic bad Father’s Day gift, or at the very least the default one. This year get your Dad a bottle of wine. In particular I think you should get him a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. Over the next few days I’m going to present several Cabs that I recommend at different price points. Depending on your budget and Dads taste there should be one in there that works for you. The first one up is from Martin Ray Winery. The 2006 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from fruit sourced in Napa, Sonoma & Mendocino Counties. In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), this wine has Merlot (18%), as well as Cabernet Franc & Syrah (2%) blended in. This offering was aged in French oak for 24 months. 9,500 cases of this Cabernet Sauvignon were produced and the suggested retail price is $20.

Dark berry fruit with a slightly funky edge, vanilla and eucalyptus are all part of this Cabernet’s nose. Throughout the palate there is a solid and persistent core of fruit as well as a significant spice component underpinning it. Chocolate, mineral, black tea, a touch of pencil lead and continued spice are all elements of the above average finish of this wine.

What I like best about this selection is that it has excellent balance and proportion. The blending of fruit from three diverse Cabernet Sauvignon producing counties helps make this wine multi-faceted in style. It’s got nice structure and tannins that yield with some air. While this isn’t a Cabernet that you’re going to lay down for a long time, it’ll drink nicely over the next 3-5 years. Shop around and you’ll find this wine for close to $15. The Martin Ray Tri-County Cabernet is a good value and a delicious gift for Dad.

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Monogamy - 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

This is going to be the second 2006 California Cabernet Sauvignon I'm looking at this week. There are of course many differences. The biggest one is a theme I've touched on many tines, intent. The Titus I looked at earlier in the week is clearly a wine built with long life in mind. Monogamy comes with a different approach, mindset and price-point. The 2006 Monogamy Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Mendocino Cabernet Sauvignon (88%) and Merlot (12%) sourced from various regions in California. This wine spent 14 months in a combination of French and American oak. The suggested retail price for this wine is $12.

Bright berry, vanilla and cedar notes are  prominent in the nose of this Cabernet Sauvignon. Throughout the palate, cherry is the star of the show. It's joined by a host of other characteristics such as blueberry, plum and white pepper notes. Additional cedar, as well as bramble emerge in the finish. The tannins are light and give way easily, lending to a very approachable wine.

This wine is intended for everyday drinking or big gatherings. It's not built to lay down and age but it'll be tasty for the next couple of years. The bottom line for me is that it fulfills its intent as an affordable wine that you could pull out on Tuesday night with leftovers or on Memorial Day with a yard full of guests. In either case it provides enjoyable drinking and sufficient varietal character.

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Titus Vineyards - 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

In every industry there are names which create an image in your mind as soon as you hear them. A couple of the obvious ones when it comes to Napa Valley wine are Mondavi and BV. Then there are the names that sound familiar to a lot of people, but are only truly well known to the converted. Titus Vineyards is in the latter category. They have been turning out exceptional Napa Valley Wine, they’ve received some nice scores and yet they somehow Titus doesn't have household name status. While they don’t make enough wine to achieve top of mind status like the ones I mentioned above, the offerings I’ve had from them prove they should be on the wish list of anyone who buys premium Napa Valley Wine. Today I’ll look at their current release of Cabernet Sauvignon. The Titus Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from fruit in their Estate valley floor vineyard on Silverado Trail, just past St. Helena. In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Petit Verdot (9%), Malbec (9%) and Merlot (5%) are blended in. This selection was aged in French (80%) and American oak (20%); 40% of the barrels were new. 4,402 cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $41.

Berry, cloves, and allspice are the most prominent characteristics in the nose of this Cabernet. The palate is rich and persistent, highlighted by an unyielding but balanced expression of pure fruit. An avalanche of ripe cherry is underscored by light pencil lead notes. Earth, bramble and dusty baker’s chocolate notes are all part of an impressively lengthy finish. This offering has chewy tannins, firm structure and good acidity. All of these elements come together as an impeccably balanced wine.

What really stands out about the 2006 Titus Cabernet Sauvignon is that it’s essentially a high end Napa Cab with a mid-range price.  I’ve written quite a bit at my other site, Drink Dry Creek about the relative value of Cabernet available in that region compared to Napa, which can be over priced. Here is an exception. Within its price category this wine over delivers.

If you’re drinking the Titus Cabernet in the next couple of years I recommend decanting it for at least an hour or so. If you’re patient, this Cabernet has everything it needs to improve and drink well for at least a decade.

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Go Figure - 2005 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

With the state of the economy it's no surprise there are some deals to be had. Sometimes those deals are local and sometimes they're global. In some cases they're a little of both. I've mentioned négociants a few times lately. Today's wine is a different spin on that. Gary's Wine and Marketplace is a NJ retailer with three stores. These stores are run by Gary Fisch and they do a nice job of providing value and selection. I used to shop their Madison store, but am happy they have one in Wayne now, a bit closer to where I live. Over the years Gary has developed relationships with vintners and such as he tastes and buys. On occasion an opportunity to do something unique presents itself. In this case he had the chance to source Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon from what his website says is a "well known" winery. Today I'll look at that wine.

The 2005 Go Figure Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon was produced and bottled by Girard Winery. Gary's website doesn't say that, but the back of the bottle reveals that tidbit. 224 cases of this selection were bottled. Girard has several Cabernt Sauvignon's which sell for approximately $75, give or take. The 2005 Go Figure sells exclusively through Gary's for $34.99.

Though I've shopped Gary's over the years, I never had one of the selections he sourced as a négociant, so I was pretty curious. I opened the bottle and found that it was pretty tight at first. No surprise as higher end Napa Cabernet often benefits from some air. The nose started to express itself pretty quickly and I found cedar, vanilla and a host of berry notes. Once it really opened up (an hour did the trick), the Go Figure has a very silky, smooth Mouth-feel filled with a host of berry, chocolate, blueberry, cassis, cherry and tingly white pepper characteristics. Towards the end of the mid-palate chocolate dipped cherry notes became prominent and carried through the finish. White pepper, minerals, dust and a hint of espresso bean make up a lengthy finish.

The bottom line for me is that this wine is a steal. While I understand that $34.99 is still a serious investment for a lot of folks, you're really getting so much more. Value is relative, but Napa Cabernet of this quality normally sells for at least $60, often more. With only 224 cases, this is a selection to pick up and tuck away for Thanksgiving, Christmas or some other special occasion. Go get  'em before they're gone. While I've never ordered through their website, if the on-line service is as well run as Gary's stores are I'm sure it'll be a smooth transaction.

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Clos du Bois - 2004 Briarcrest Cabernet Sauvignon

Clos du Bois is one of the biggest, most well known wineries in California. The variety of wines they make in a number of categories, truly runs the gamut. Amongst those offerings are a number of smaller and mid size production wines that highlight grapes or areas. The Cabernet Sauvignon I'm looking at from them today, is such a wine. The 2004 Clos du Bois Briarcrest Cabernet Sauvignon is made from fruit sourced at a handful of Alexander Valley vineyards. This offering is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. This Cabernet was aged in all French oak for 24 months; 86% of the barrels were new. 4,150 cases of the 2004 Briarcrest were produced and the suggested retail price is $42.

Wild blueberries, lavender, toasty oak, and plum reference points lead the nose of this Cabernet Sauvignon. Throughout the palate both red and black berry fruits are part of a rich, persistent core which is full flavored but never over the top. Smoke and earth, both indicative of its Alexander Valley heritage also emerge and continue through the finish. Additionally, chicory, dusty baker's chocolate, black tea, and light mineral notes lead the charge in a lengthy, lingering finish that coats the tongue and back of the throat, staying and staying. This wine is framed by firm tannins which cede with air; a fine acidity keeps everything in check.

What I liked best about this wine is that it's simultaneously bold and gentle. The flavors are big, but they never overwhelm. This wine is drinking quite well now but will undoubtedly improve for a handful of years and drink well for several more after that. A fine effort by Clos du Bois, that shows off Alexander valley's proclivity towards excellent Cabernet Sauvignon.

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Robert Oatley Vineyards - 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot

Blends always fascinate me. I always find it interesting to discover if when several components come together, they're greater than the sum of the parts. In Australia blending Cabernet Sauvignon with Shiraz is very popular. So much so that it seems to have influenced producers in other regions to follow suit. When they're done well, they can be intriguing blends, with both varietals strutting their stuff, so to speak. The blend I'm looking at today is from Australia, but it's not Cabernet and Shiraz. The 2007 Robert Oatley Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot is sourced in Mudgee, New South Wales. This is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Merlot. It was aged for 12 months in French oak. Each varietal was harvested, fermented and barrel aged separately before blending and bottling. 5,600 cases of this wine, finished in Screw Cap, were produced. The suggested retail price is $20.

The nose of this wine is filled with bright red cherry notes and a hint of vanilla. Throughout the palate this wine is lush and mouth-filling with balanced fruit flavors from each varietal shining through. Black pepper and hints of sour cherry emerge on the finish which is above average in length. This wine has very good acidity and gentle, yielding tannins. This Cab/Merlot blend will be a good match for a wide array of foods.

What I like about this wine is that is shows off a side of Australian Wine that some folks never think of. Big, bold Shiraz is the Australian calling card, and with good reason, they make a lot of great ones. Here's a look however at a wine that defies that flavor profile and offers good complexity in a gentler, approachable, food friendly package.

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Robert Mondavi - 2006 Private Selection Meritage

There are few names as synonymous with California wine as that of Robert Mondavi. Over the years, in addition to his namesake Napa Valley Winery, numerous subsidiaries became part of the Mondavi empire. The Private Selection wines are one of those off shoots. These wines tend to have a suggested retail just above $10 and can provide a gateway for people at the beginning of their wine exploration, as well as everyday value for more seasoned wine drinkers. Today I'll look at their current release Meritage and see what it offers. The 2006 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Meritage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (72%), Merlot (10%), Petit Verdot (10%), and Malbec (8%). The majority of the fruit was sourced in Monterey County (66%), with the balance coming from Santa Barbara (25%), and San Benito (9%). This wine was aged in oak for 15 months, with 30% of it being new. The suggested retail price for this offering is $11.

The nose of this Meritage is comprised of dark berry fruit notes. Black cherry and plum dominate. Throughout the palate, those dark fruit tones continue, along with vanilla, black pepper, and some hints of cedar. This wine has firm, chewy tannins and good acidity. Some earth emerges on the finish along with more dark fruit and spice notes. This wine will be an excellent match for grilled chops, a burger, or strong cheeses.

The question when I taste a wine of this nature, what am I expecting for $11? I hope for a wine that is well made, true to it's varietal compostion and hopefully somewhat interesting. This low priced Meritage from Robert Mondavi Private Selection, fits the bill. It has sufficient structure to drink well for a couple of years, tastes true to being mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, and has enough length and interesting elements to make it worth it's price-tag. Truth be told it's often available for under $1o. For that amount of money, you won't mind opening it any night of the week.

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promisQous Red - A California Table Wine

When tasting a wine it's important to take into account what the intent and purpose is. Some wines are crafted with the goal of scoring 90 + points in major wine publications. Others are made with the intent of producing wines reflective of their place. And then there are wines produced with the purpose of providing everyday drinking value. The promisQous wines seem to aim for that market. I'll look at their red blend today and see if it hits its mark.  promisQous Red is a blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and other red varietals. Fruit was sourced from several areas in California, though 42% is from Lodi. 15% of the wine was aged in barrel. The suggested retail price for this wine is $12. This offering is available at Supermarkets and Target stores that carry alcohol.

The nose of this blend is filled with plum, red raspberry and vanilla. The palate is loaded with both red and black, lush, ripe, fleshy, jammy, berry fruit flavors. Spice notes in the form of pepper emerge on the finish along with a touch of earth. This wine has the structure and acidity to stand up to a wide away of foods.

For me promisQous Red is a classic pizza wine. This is the price bracket most people are drinking in on a regular basis. For $12 you can buy this on your way home from work and pop it open to pair with leftovers or a burger. The blend of varietals offers a broad array of characteristics that emerge as you drink it, offering something pretty interesting for the price range. So, yes this wine fulfills its intent. This is one I'll keep in mind to bring with me to the first barbecue of the season.

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Graffigna - Two Cabernet Sauvignons

Having looked at two Malbecs from Graffigna the other day, my attention now shifts to Cabernet Sauvignon. When I first started experimenting with and discovering South American wines, Cabernet was my focus. I was amazed early on at some of the real bargains that could be had. I'm happy to report, that's still true. Of course there are many more South American wines on our store shelves these days, so the options, quality and varietal wise are pretty wide. First up is the 2006 Graffigna Centanario Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is 100% varietal. It was aged in a 50/50 split of French and American oak for 12 months, followed by 6 months of bottle aging, prior to release. The suggested retail price for this wine is $13.

As soon as you pour this wine you'll notice a burnt cherry apple red hue. The nose is filled with aromas of bright red fruit. Wild strawberry and red raspberry dominate. Throughout the palate, which is remarkably smooth, for such an inexpensive, young Cabernet, lots of berry fruit, and a touch of earthiness, come to the forefront. This is a gentle, but fully flavorful Cabernet Sauvignon with a pretty long, persistent, lingering finish. This wine has easy, soft tannins and good acidity.

What I like best about the Graffigna Centanario is that it's a steal. This wine over delivers and reminds me of precisely the sort of bargains that turned me on to South American wines to begin with. Is it the best Cabernet I've had in 2009? That it's not, but it's easily the best Cabernet value I've tasted thus far this year.

The second wine is the 2005 Graffigna grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. As with the Centanario it's also 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Oak treatment and bottle aging prior to release are also identical. The suggested retail price is $20.

Dark fruit, in the form of black cherries, raspberries, blueberries and plum fill the nose of this Grand Reserve Cabernet. The palate features more cherry, cedar, and chicory, along with eucalyptus and tobacco. A hint of dark bitter chocolate emerges on the finish, joined by copious earth notes. The finish is long, lush, and smooth. This wine has soft, approachable tannins and good acidity.

After tasting the Centanario, I wondered how the Grand Reserve would compare value wise. As it should be, the Grand Reserve is a bit more complex with a longer finish. That makes the Grand Reserve a good deal in its price category.

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Kaiken - 2006 Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon

The third wine I'm looking at from the Montes family of wines is the Kaiken 2006 Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon. Even before discovering the wider breadth of terrific wines coming from Argentina, a few Argentine Cabernet's hit my radar. Now I seek out wines from this country, as I find that they are both distinct and full of value. The 2006 Kaiken Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon is 96% varietal and 4% Malbec. The grapes come mostly from vines over 50 years of age. 80% of the wine was aged in French oak for 12 months. The suggested retail price for this Cab is $25.

Red raspberry, Bing cherry and vanilla notes are most prominent on the nose of this wine. Throughout the persistent palate, berry, tobacco, cassis and a touch of eucalyptus emerges. This wine has a firm tannic structure. It benefited greatly from decanting. An hour, at minimum is recommended to get the most from this Cabernet right now. The finish, which is pretty lengthy, features black fruit, espresso and mocha notes, along with earth and white pepper, that become more prominent as the wine continues to evolve in the glass.

What I like best about this Cabernet from Kaiken is that it does a fine job of showcasing how good well made Cabernet from Argentina can be, The characteristics such as dark fruit and earthiness that first made me a fan of Argentine Cabs are present here. While it's suggested retail price is $25, this wine is often available for less than $20. This wine will improve in the bottle for at least 5 or 6, years and should drink well for a few after that. All things considered, this is definitely a Cabernet I can happily recommend.

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