2006 Scholium Project Verdelho Heliopolis Delu

USA, California, Central Valley, Clarksburg (7/2/2008)This was a very interesting and enjoyable bottle. I thought it was a Sauvignon Blanc. Pale in color, long on taste, this had some wonderful fresh citrus notes with a very admirable acid level. A smooth elegant mouthfeel with moderate length. A perfect crisp white for a typical July day. (90 pts.)

6 CaliCabs from the mid 90's and a 'ringer'

1995 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley (7/2/2008)This sang right out of the bottle! Great deep crimson color. A beautiful nose of cassis, camphor and lilacs. The palate revealed amazing balance and breed, elegance and class. Wow. There were some fresh ground coffee beans, lead pencil shavings and soy all wrapped in a multi-layered dark fruit blanket. A long smooth finish beckons one back for a top-off. Wow. Started fading after an hour and a bit, but what an hour and a bit….This is what Bordeaux can only hope to be Did I say Wow? (94 pts.)

1995 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley (7/2/2008)Hmmmm. This was a bit cooler to start so the initial thoughts were...well.... initial. Subdued, reticent and closed. Put aside for a bit.Great medium color with some bricking on the edges. Some currant and black fruits were coming through. A little awkward and clumsy. It never really came around. A perfectly sound wine but was a bit disappointing all around. (87 pts.)

1996 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Bottled - USA, California, Napa Valley (7/2/2008)Not too dissimilar to the Montelena, this had a bit more going on. Some decent red and black fruits and a nice balance, but very low key. An elegant wine with a very nice moutfeel. A good finish but just a bit uninspiring. You are a good as the company you keep and this would have showed better had it been a lone bottle on the table. (89 pts.)

1996 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena (7/2/2008)Bringing this one up to your nose you get a burst of eucalyptus . Great dark dense color. Wonderful red and black fruit medley with some secondaries of lead, mushroom and soy. A seamless tannin level and great structure. A very feminine cabernet, but more like a female bodybuilder than a ballet dancer. A long graceful finish closed the deal nicely. (92 pts.)
1997 Thunder Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Doc Miller - USA, California, Central Coast, Cienega Valley (7/2/2008)This was very different than anything else on the table. All red fruits and all brightly lit (lightning with the thunder? ) Red cherry was the forefront. The tannins were loosely knit and a moderately to high acid level. I though it had a mouthfeel of a better than average Merlot. This was a bit spicy in the midpalate. Hmmm?Not my style of Cabernet, but I can understand why some would like it.(my score reflects such) (88 pts.)
1997 Lakoya Cabernet Sauvignon This was angular and chewy. It was dark but I could not get past an overwhelming perfume emanating from my glass. I did not like this at all. N/R
2004 Château Smith Haut Lafitte - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan (7/2/2008) (MYSTERY WINE)Served as a blind wine in an all CaliCab dinner. Disclaimer: I was under the impression it was a Cali so I may have gone into this wrong. Medium dark color. Good balance and mouthfeel. I initially spot either Petite Verdot and Cab Franc so I knew it was a blend. A bit subdued and reserved, this was pretty and elegant. I did miss my fruit though. There were some dark red cherries and plums. A little neutral oak was coming through as well. Reminded me of a few Phelps Insignias I have had. Not the best guy to judge Bordeaux so the egg on my face took a while to dry when I took a way off base guess. All in all a very nice wine indeed. (89 pts.)

2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Amber Ridge Vineyard

The complete opposite to the Kanzler poured directly before it. The color deep garnet with purple tinges. Wonderful red fruit profile that reminds me more of a Burgundy that a Cali. Spring flowers and sweet red fruits on the nose. The tongue revealed crushed pebbles, red cherries, and some cinnamon. There is a clean and pure medium weight feel that exudes elegance grace and class. Nice minerality and structure with a acid level that sits smoothly and crisply in the background. Long graceful aftertaste. Wow (94 pts.)

2004 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Kanzler Vineyard

Deep and dark with brooding intesity. This is a very full flavored pinot that will open the tired mans eyes and make a baby weep. Big pure dark cherries, milk chocolate, chewy tannins, and an acid level slighty above eye level. A full weight Pinot with a very long silky finish. (91 pts.)

2004 Corté Riva Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Deep dark color with purple tinged edges. The nose is pure cab with cassis & dark cherry cola. This is not as big and flamboyant as I expected. It's very clean, pure and exact. The palate has the same dark cherry cola that stands out above all else. Great structure and mouthfeel. Elegant with a 'quiet lush' profile, all with a very lively acid level. The tannins are super tight. An interesting bottle that will please even the super-picky cal cab drinker. This will be amazing in 5 years. Amazing (93 pts.)

2004 Columbia Crest Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Great dark garnet. Great ends there. Initially this was totally closed for business. After 1 hour some decent plush red and black fruits emerge on the nose. The palate was initially flabby in the middle and after the hour some nice currant and blackberry kirsch emerged. This is a mid weight cabernet. An ok acid level and maybe just a little hot, this is surely not the best example of this I have ever had. Hell, it's the worst actually. Its somewhat so-so mid-palate and an ok finish. An average Cabernet. 87 points

Did I tell you the color was....great?

1997 Livingston Moffett Cabernet Sauvignon Moffet Vineyard

USA, California, Napa Valley. This has some nice strong dark color that belies its age. It opens with some graphite and camphor on the nose. There is a tinge of fruit on the nose, but one must search pretty hard to spot it. The mouth-feel is very smooth and plush. There is some cassis, red and black berries, soy, pencil shavings, cedar, leather anda certain mild sweetness. Its a medium weight wine that has some elegance. Its fully resloved and pretty much at a point where holding willnot really help. Its a very pretty & pleasing Cabernet sourced from a wonderful vineyard. Nice balance and a decent finish make this a home-run, albeit a walk in homer. (90 pts.)

Vineyard Source: 100 % Moffett Vineyard / Rutherford Napa Valley95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc

Production Notes: Tons per acre: 2.75

Number of Cases: 896 cs. Brix it was picked at: 24.2Alcohol: 13.3% Release Date was September 1, 2000

2005 K Vintners Syrah Milbrandt Vineyard

USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope (5/24/2008)Ultra dark and opaque. This has slight purple on the edges. The nose has blueberries and white pepper. The palate is very sleek and clean. Not over the top, and very lively. Blueberries, meat, crushed pebbles, blackberry, red raspberry, and some sour cherries. There is a mélange of things happening here. Wait scratch that, it's a potpourri of fruits & joy! This has amazing lush mouthfeel and structure. The tannins are in check, and the acid is doing the high-wire walk. All so wonderfully balanced. This is a fun wine that should age nicely for a few years, but singing right here and now so why not?A long smooth aftertaste completes perfect package. $31. (93 pts.)

The passing of a true American icon: Robert Mondavi 1913-2008

I am a fan of both the man and his wines.

TN: Mystery Cabernet...and a story.

Sometimes we all need a lesson in humility. I was served one just recently in my own home. I try not to ever be pretentious or snobby when it comes to wine, but sometimes we get away from ourselves.

I was served a mystery wine on Saturday. Me being the wise ass I am, with knowing and only that it was a 1998 (not to mention it was about the 5th bottle of the night), I went right to Napa and then I started to guess, even asking if it were even Cabernet. (A cab theme diner).

Good color and density, (sure, its Napa). Decent cassis and blackberry (sure, it's Napa). Slight greenness and somewhat 'manufactured' in style (sure is a 1998). Good mouth feel and length, and nothing really bad. (Sure, its 1998...?). A little more midpalate explosion of fruit going sideways..."Is it even Cabernet? Maybe Merlot. OK Steve, what Napa Cab was this?"

Egg on my face:

Steve E's notes to me: 1998 Allegro Vineyards, "Cadenza", Brogue, York County, Pennsylvania (95% Cab Sauv. 3% Cab Franc, 2% Merlot) John Crouch (deceased) - WinemakerTim Crouch (deceased) - Vineyard manager"The "Cadenza" was a meritage that varied in its composition (my recollection is that this was the heaviest % of cab sauv that they used). They started doing it sometime in the late 1980s (I think). It wasn't done every year, but 1998 was the last one done. As I said last night, this was not the strongest effort among the Cadenza, but gave you a good idea of the style at Allegro under the Crouch's. Very Bordeaux".
Yes, you read it right. Pennsylvania. In that context, a very decent wine indeed.

1995 Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville)

Great floral nose of lavander & currants. Medum deep color with no sign of age. Nice light cocoa wrapped currants, blackberry, tar, & slight leather. A medium bodied elegant & pure serious cabernet that quietly pleases. Fully resolved & clean tannins. An admirable finish to close the deal. What's not to like? (92 pts.)

1995 Staglin Family Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

Deep dark crimson. Lifting the glass to my nose I sensed little. Coaxing out by swirling I got some cassis and dark cherry. What the nose held back, the palate revealed: Super structure and breed that comtinued to eveolve nicely for about an hour, and then started to slide down the slope and gained some speed as it went, but what an hour it was. Tar, cassis, black cherry, a touch of cedar. This was a beautiful & pure cab. Nice resolved multilayered tannins and a clean level of acid rounded this out very well. A 40 second finish and 'Bobs your uncle'. (My wife is a Brit) (93 pts.)

Anyone who ever read Fahrenheit 451 can not help to think of Guy Montag when looking at this label.

1996 Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville)

Opaque and brooding, nose was a bit restrained, but with some time there was the usual suspects of tar and red & black fruits. The palate had shown a medium bodied mouthfeel with some class, but always seemed kicked down a notch. Quiet and refined, there was nothing that screamed loudy. Balanced and nicely structured. There was black currant, bleckcherry, raspberry, leather, soy, and a touch of menthol...just a touch. A intertwined tannin and acid level that acted like a tight wire, but not as taut as it could be. Theres a little play and one senses the balance a bit fragile for it. Feminine and pretty though. Decent finish. (90 pts.)

2002 Quintessa (USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford)

The color was super dark. It reminded me of Bordeaux. It had some cassis, and blackberry. The palate showed a medium to heavy weight wine with an elagant multilayered fruit profile that is somewhat quiet it it's approach, but constantly delivers the goods. Tar, anise, leather, cocoa, and cassis wrapped around clean and intricate tannins.... All this with a cherry on top! (black cherry that is). I like this ones peigree. A long finish and I was seeking out the decanter for more. (92 pts.)

1996 Clos Pegase Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

I have been enjoying some real nice 1996 Napa Cabs lately. This was a perfect choice to my pork in artichoke sauce dinner.

Nice amber colored edges. Amazing pure cassis, tar and dark cherry nose. After 30 minutes the palate shows a pure curranty-cab profile that is somewhat two dimensional, but very very pretty indeed. The fruits in attendance are currant, blackberry (not your phone), dark cherry, and black plums.There are some secondaries like tar, cedar and anise and a wonderful fine line of tannins. An acid level that is deftly floating in the background. Wow. A medium bodied expolsive cabernet that shows elegance, structure and breed.A 30 second finish beckons you back... Wish I had more. (93 pts.)

And this my friends is why I love Cabernet.........

2005 Hardin Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

I am forever on the Cabernet QPR search. Last year I found the Sorrel Canyon Cabernet for $9. (Mendocino).
Many have bought cases upon cases of this after tasting from my recommendation.
I truly believe if one looks hard enough one can still find great wines at reasonable prices and $23 is surely reasonable, especially by Napa's standards. I initially had this last week and thought it deserved a deeper look. The verdict: I will get a case.

Deep garnet color. Viscous grip on the glass. The nose has blackberries, currant, dark cherry pie and boysenberry. The mouthfeel belies the fact that this is a $23 Cab. There is real structure and allure not normally found at this price point. Sweet tannins and a quiet but ever present acid level carries this forward. The finish seems a bit clipped. This reminds me of Ed Sbragias offerings of late save for the Beringer Reserve. There are some grape pips floating about? Strange, but the only distraction I can find. Could use a year in the bottle but drinks quite nicely now. (90 pts.)

I have bestowed the elusive Super QPR designation on this one!

From website (my bolding emphasis): The first Hardin Cabernet Sauvignon was “discovered” in 2003 by Doug Polaner on a trip to California. The wine was sourced from one of Napa Valley's long time “cult” producers. Doug found himself in Napa at the right time, and was able to taste and buy a small lot of this top, top quality wine. With the blow-out success of the first vintage, he went right to work on putting together a stellar follow-up, traveling throughout Napa tasting small lots of Cabernet until he was able to assemble the right combination of components. The blend of the 2005 is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, sourced from high-end vineyards such as ToKalon & Dr. Crane. The wine was aged in 75% new French oak for 18 months before being racked into used oak. Stylistically, the wine is classic deep, plush Napa Cab with lots of ripe Cassis fruit, sweet tannins and hints of superb quality oak. Try it with braised pheasant, red cabbage and wild rice, or why not a filet mignon with Gorgonzola sauce…?

QPR?

Quality to price ratio. What’s the confusion?
One must find joy where one can. If you’re drinking $100 wines nightly, or even weekly, I want to be your neighbor. If one wants to seek real value for their dollar one looks for QPRs. Quality (is it good? Does it drink like a more expensive wine?) to price ($ paid) ratio (was it worth what you paid? Hopefully you can perceive it as being worth more).

The debate enters when QPRs are perceived as cheap or inexpensive wines. I think an injustice is being done if you lump all QPRs into the sub $20 range. I myself am finding them in many ranges. Here’s a few of my last years range’s range: $9, $23, $39, $90. What they are is not important. What they have in common to me is. They are all QPRs in their price range. That means they drink like a wine valued more than itself. My reasoning or justification is simple enough, to me. What they mean to you is surely different. Just please don’t confuse QPRs with cheap everyday drinkers, for if I could drink that 2003 Kobalt Cabernet ($90) as an everyday wine, I may need to do a George Jefferson.
Anything available in your neighborhood?

2000 & 2001 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot - Howell Mountain

2000 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot - Howell Mountain-

Broken cork. Decanted. Deep brick red color with some brown hints on edges. Nose showed cork. Initial taste showed cork too. The host chose to keep it on the table. This was slightly corked but not undrinkable. Some masked fruits of blackberry and blackcherry were present. The cork subsided, but never disappeared. My friend Bob wants another?

2001 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot - Howell Mountain - 2nd 'Duck' on the table after the slightly corked 2000 mentioned elsewhere. Great nose of blackberries and red currant, as well as some super dark cherry. Very plush and elegant, this had some soy, cocoa, and slight anise. I love these when they are on. Wonderful balance and acid with a super fine tannin level than plays so deftly in the background. Long 45 second finish. Its good to see these still hitting their stride after Rinaldi's departure.

Both enjoyed over a very long lunch with friends this past Friday. I was out ruled by the host on returning the 2000.

1987 Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

Burnt orange edges and light garnet body. The nose had some cork, which blew off after about 10 minutes. This had wonderful lively fruits of bing cherries, raspberry, and a bit of red currant. There were some fantastic secondaries of tar, coffee and mushroom. A fantastic acid balance...still! A great finish which brought forward the cherries once again. Elegance and class. (90 pts.)

This was the final from 2 six-packs given to me from a good friend back in 1991. It has been cellar stored since. Brought to my favorite Italian restaurant over a LONG lunch with friends this past Friday.