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CHEESE PAIRING:
Epoisses
Brie
Colby
Strong Cheddar
Mahon
Pt. Reyes Blue
Stilton |
 
 
 
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The granddaddy of the wine world. Cabs are some of the most tannic wines, making them a bit harsh when young. Though they can be drunk upon release, they usually fail to please. This varietal truly benefits from some additional time in the bottle, which helps integrate the flavors and soften the tannins. I suggest a minimum of 3 years past the vintage date, but if you can wait at least 5 you'll be well rewarded. If the wine is under $25, it's probably been made to drink earlier, so waiting will still help, but it's not going to make a vast difference. The more expensive versions are almost always aged in new oak barrels which adds to the price and the wines ability to age.
Cabs are made all over the world in a variety of styles which are affected by climate. Bordeaux and Napa Valley are the most world-renowned and come with a heavy price tag and they usually need at least a decade to show their true colors. Australia and South America are trying to compete and are making some really good versions, though whether they'll ever be able to truly catch up in the quality department is unknown, yet worth looking out for. For this grape, vintage matters, especially in Bordeaux. Check out my France Section for more info.
WHAT TO EXPECT: A deeply colored wine with a high amount of tannin and acidity, especially when young. On the palate, depending on the region grown, you'll find dark black fruit flavors, vegetal notes, perhaps some mint, eucalyptis and cedar, as well as smoke or vanilla from the oak-aging. The hotter the climate the more fruit forward the wine will be.
HOT REGIONS: Central California, South America, Australia, Italy (Super Tuscans)
COOL REGIONS: Bordeaux (Medoc, Haut-Medoc, Pauillac & Margaux), parts of Napa Valley, New Zealand, South Africa
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 | 2007 Trader Joe's Reserve Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Abeja Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, WA | RATING: *** |
| 2006 Cameron Hughes Lot 75 Oak Knoll Cabernet Sauvignon,
Napa Valley, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Chateau Margene Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2006 Mazzocco Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Provenance Vineyards Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2005 Avalon Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA | RATING: * |
| 2005 Beckmen Vineyards PMV Cabernet Sauvignon,
Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2005 Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet, Napa Valley, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2005 Cameron Hughes Lot 40 Cabernet, McLaren Vale, Australia | RATING: ** |
| 2005 Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon, Rapel Valley, Chile | RATING: ** |
| 2005 Cass Winery Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2005 Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: * |
| 2005 Minassian-Young Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2005 Chateau Prieuré-Lichine, Margaux, Bordeaux, France | RATING: *** |
| 2004 Beckstoffer 1975 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lake County, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2004 Blue Rock Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2004 Dark Star Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2004 Justin Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2004 Knappstein Enterprise Cabernet Sauvignon, Clare Valley, Australia | RATING: ** |
| 2004 Lincourt Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2004 Twenty Bench Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA | RATING: * |
| 2003 Beckmen Vineyards PMV Cabernet Sauvignon,
Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2003 Clautiere Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2003 Cobblestone Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2003 Dark Star Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2003 Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2003 Halter Ranch Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2003 Halter Ranch Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2003 Jacob's Creek "St. Hugo" Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, Australia | RATING: *** |
| 2003 Chateau Kirwan, Margaux, Bordeaux, France | RATING: ** |
| 2003 Lail Vineyards Blueprint, Napa Valley, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2002 Beckmen Vineyards PMV Cabernet Sauvignon,
Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2002 Eberle Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2002 Mitchella Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2002 Rio Seco Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2002 Rodney Strong Alexander's Crown Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2002 Steven Kent Cabernet Sauvignon, Livermore, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2001 Beckmen Vineyards PMV Cabernet Sauvignon,
Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2001 Rio Seco Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2000 Arroyo Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
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**** Outstanding | *** Delicious | ** Enjoyable | * Drinkable
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