2004 - Revana Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon

Excellent Balance

2002 - Lynch Bages  Bordeaux Blend

One Rockin' Lunch Bags

2001 - Coutet Cuvee Madame Sauternes Blend

A Sticky not a Sicky

i've had this wine once before and this is definitely a sticky worth trying.  it's all honey and sweetness on the nose that translates right to the palate with a rich profusion of honeysuckle and maple syrup (just not that viscous).  the acid balance is just right in the bottle to keep you from believing that you are drinking molasses. 

another 5 outta 5 starzz.

2000 - Clos du Marquis  Bordeaux Blend

A Bad Bordelais Boy

2000 clos du marquis

decanted this bad boy for about 6 hours before serving. it was MELLOW! nice and smooth right out of the decanter. lightly frooty on the nose, merlot based? and silky on the tongue, in the mouth and on the finish. nicely done!

5 outta 5 starzz

2004 - D R Stephens Cabernet Sauvignon Moose Valley Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

A Disappointing Hunnerd $ Bottle O' Wine

ok, so last night at 58 degrees,i bought a bottle of 2003 DR Stephens moose valley vineyard cab...

it was tasty. had a nice cab-like bouquet and was pleasant on the palate with a somewhat tannic, drying finish. but it wasn't "all that"...certainly NOT a $100 bottle of wine.

i was disappointed cuz i've had other dr stephens wines that were MUCH better

2003 - Kobalt Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon

2003 Kobalt Cab

2002 - Martin Ray Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

A Big Deal From an Under Appreciated Sonoma Winery

i've become a big fan of the martin ray winery wines.  especially the diamond mountain cabernet.  recently, during the russian river barrel tasting weekend, we went to martin ray and barrel sampled the 2005 version.  i found this vintage to be underwhelming, so departing from my tradition, i didn't buy futures that day.  (i'm usually good for 1/2 case).  so, imagine my delight when i saw a dutch auction of the 2002 version on wine commune last weekend.  i snapped up a 1/2 case for less than 1/2 the retail price of the wine. 

this wine is a traditional diamond mtn cab (yeah, that's fairly cliche and presumptuous of me to think that EVERYONE has had a diamond mtn cab) however, the rocky soil on the mtn gives the froot a unique flavour. it's much more concentrated because the vines froot at maybe 1/3-1/4 the usual tonnage per acre.  this wine is no exception.  the froot characteristics are quite concentrated with huge notes of cassis, black cherry, tobacco, leather and cigar box-and that's just on the nose!  the mouthfeel is pleasing and full and there is this trailing note of bright red cherries as it washes delightfully down the back of your throat.

yum.

4 starzz outta 5 fo sho!

2003 - Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Thooper Dooper Cab

2005 - Von Strasser Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Signature Diamond Mtn

1975 - Potensac  Bordeaux Blend

Potent Stuff

this was nice, very nice.  it was stronger than i thought it would be because it came out of the bottle quite translucent with a burnished, oxidized colour in the decanter.  the nose was quite jammy.  i waited for about an hour before i sipped at it and was very pleased at the froot that was still in the wine.  the palate was quite lush and plush and full and the finish had plenty o'acid and soft, smooth supple tannins

chaching!!

4 rennies outta 5 which ain't bad given the age of the wine.

:renegating:renegating:renegating:renegating

1961 - Pape Clement  Bordeaux Blend

Soft and Supple

2002 - Peju Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Reserve  Cabernet Sauvignon

2002 Peju Petit Verdot

2005 - Peju Cabernet Franc Rutherford Reserve  Cabernet Franc

Peju is Back on Track with This One!

2005 - Woodbridge Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon

2005 Calix Cab

this is a review for the 2005 calix napa valley cab, but it wasn't on the list, so i just picked something at random

to the review

2005 calix napa valley cab

after we drained the 2004 ahnfeldt, we fell back to the 2005 calix cab. again, another very nice cabernet, don't get me wrong, but after the experience with the 2004 ahnfeldt, i was a little underwhelmed with the calix. it was a bit lighter than the ahnfeldt-and that could just be the result of the very prolific froot bearing year that was the 2005 vintage in napa. but it was most enjoyable, more froot forward with a sufficient amount of tannins to make the experience complete. but it didna measure up to the ahnfeldt.

3 rennies outta five's da best i can do

2004 - Ahnfeldt Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon

Nice Cab

2005 - Edgewood Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Edgewood Comes Back!

much to my surprise, i found an old friend at the new total wines store in roseville the other day. EDGEWOOD ESTATES!! they used to be the ultimate QPR producer in the napa valley (in my opinion of course).  it looked as though they had their full line up of wines, so i purchased the 2005 tradition (blend) reserve cab and napa cab.  i've had both the tradition and the reserve cab ($19.99 each) so far and i have to say i am NOT disappointed at all.  in fact, i am VERY pleased.  both wines were complex and well made from an aromatic, palate and finish point of view.  typical napa valley/oakville cabs with great black froot noses and plush palate feel and long, lingering and somewhat tannic (these were 2005's!) finishes.  YUM.

welcome back edgewood, we missed ya!! 

tradition 4 starzz outta 5

reserve cab 4 starzz outta 5 and both HUGE QPR ups.

2005 - Conn Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Prologue Cabernet Sauvignon

Great QPR Napa Valley Cabernet

2003 - Chateau Suduiraut  Sauternes Blend

If You Love Sauternes, You'll Love This Suduiraut

popped the cork on this beauty (RP95) last night after dinner.  it was at about 60 degrees (fresh from the wine cellar) and not overly chilled.  the aromatics exploded out of the glass...peach, honeysuckle, a hint of brown molasses.  the wine is golden in colour (it's still very young at only 4 vintage years old).  the aromatics did not disappoint on the palate.  this is an unctious wine-very luxurious and almost decadent in the mouth.  the honey and molasses were there, without question, along with a myriad of other succulent froot flavours.  the wine coated my mouth for what felt like forever.  it's a lot richer and thicker than you might expect. 

5 stars, no question

1997 - Clos Pegase Cabernet Sauvignon Hommage Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Wow, a 1997 That Exceeded Expectations

i've been a fan of clos pegase wines for a long time.  particularly their "hommage" series of cabernets.  i've collected them since 1988.  they've always been absolutely marvelous.  so, last night i was shopping in the wine room and my eyes beheld a bottle of the 97.  i picked up the bottle with some skepticism because of all the negative press that the vintage had received over the past couple of years.  WTF i thought, i think i'll check it out.  so, i took the bottle inside and opened it and sniffed at the bottle edge.  no evident flaws or mustiness emanating from the bottle itself.  so, i got my favourite riedel stem and poured a taste.  WOW and blow me down, this wine was amazing.  a dark ruby red colour with a incredibly frooty nose that talked about cassis, black cherry and raspberries.  as i gave it an adventurous sip, the aromas translated seamlessly into flavours on my palate and much to my surprise, there were unctious tannins that left the flavours lingering seemingly forever...

Five Rennies outta Five on this beauty.  and i have another bottle to boot!!

2005 - Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

THIS Wine is Fabulous

2005 - Kobalt Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon

It Just Needs Time

2005 - Kobalt Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon

It Just Needs Time

2005 - Kobalt Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon

2005 Kobalt Cab Just Needs Time

1992 - Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

1992 Araujo Eisele Vineyard Cab Sauv

had this wine about a week ago at dinner at smith and wollenksy's on the vegass strip.  personally, i love aged napa valley cabs like i love aged boredohs and a 1992 napa cab should be showing really really well now-especailly one with a well known lineage such as araujo.  and i wasn't disappointed when i opened this bottle paired with a ribeye steak and smith's famous mac and cheese as a side.  the wine held up to the rigors of the steak easily and shown wonderfully in contrast to the 95 beaucastel that was also opened. the wine was absolutely elegant as an older wine should be.  the tannins had softened to impart a plush tasting experience and not a harsh one.  the finish was velvety smooth.  loved it and i'd do it again!

solid 4 starzz outta 5

where's my gift certificate, eh?

2003 - Dominus Proprietary Red Wine Proprietary Blend

A Complete Wine

ever had a wine that was perfect from beginning to end?  a wine whose aromatics translated from your nose to your palate down your throat with a lingering finish that left you begging for more? this one is like that.  i've had wines that were gangbusters on the nose, promising an profusion of froot that disappeared on the palate with nothing left behind to remind you that you were actually drinking wine.  not this wine.  it was a seamless (i often wondered what that meant in vinous terms, now i know!) from beginning to end-and nary a flaw to be found.

definitely 5 outta five starzz.

1986 - Rieussec  Sauternes Blend

A Taste of Honey

drinking this wine last night at the end of a fabulous meal was the inevitable hit of the night.  to steal the lyrics from a beatles song: a taste of honey, a taste much sweeter than wine.  well, this wine was a honey DEW.  golden in colour and sweet nectar on the nose with gardenias, star jasmine and honeysuckle on the nose it evolved into a pure honey expression on the palate and was unctious on the finish.  i wish i had more!

10 starzz outta 5 on this one!

2004 - Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

2004 Outpost Howell Mtn CABERNET SAUVIGNON

since there was no cab to pick from in the listing, i mysteriously am posting my review under the petite sirah.  go figger. 

had this last night at a friends house for our mutual b'day party along with some other fabulous wines.  this one, however, stuck out as a complete wine experience.  i'm a big time howell mtn cab lover anyway, but this is one of the best ones i've had.  dark and brooding black cherry and cassis on the nose with just a hint of eucalyptus and seegar box on the nose that exploded onto the palate with a full profusion of froots followed by a finish that i can close my eyes and still taste and feel today (yes, through the wicked hangover!)

unquestionably 5 outta 5 starzz

2005 - Herb Lamb Vineyards EII Napa Valley Red Proprietary Blend

2005 Herb Lamb EII Blend

took this to dinner at rosemary's restaurant in viva las vegass on saturday night last. 

it was a decent wine, but VERY VERY young.  this wine needs time in the bottle-at least another year before i come back to it.  it certainly didn't perform as i expected.  i probably should have had it decanted-that would have helped some.  if you have some, i HIGHLY recommend decantation rites before you drink it.

a solid 3 outta 5 starzz-with a higher rating to come.

1995 - Beaucastel, Chateau Chateauneuf du Pape Proprietary Blend

1995 Ch. Beaucastel CDP

had this wine with dinner at rosemary's restaurant in viva las vegass.  paired with a perfectly cooked grilled veal tenderloin, the wine was in its element.  very earthy and spicy on the nose (all spice) with a plush mouth that was fully frooty and a sweet lingering finish.

5 starzz outta 5 starzz for the wine and the pairing and the restaurant.