Cannonball Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

california is cabernet country and this one is very interesting. 77% cabernet sauvignon, 15% petit syrah, 5% petit verdot, and 3% syrah, this wine offers up a really nice mix that is worth the $18 that it sells for. the nose is loaded with berries. blackberry, strawberry, and black cherry, with some nice caramel aromas as well. the flavor is very fruit forward, with black cherry and currants, hints of cranberry tart and some raspberry. i also got some nice pepper notes and cocoa flavors. the wine has a beautiful, long finish and the tannins were not too overpowering, but decant this and you will appreciate it even more. grilling season is still here so try it with that steak or ribs you have waiting for you in the freezer.

2006 Cupcake Merlot

when i first started to drink wine, merlot was the go to grape. it was fruit forward without the drying tannins of a cab. i still enjoy a good merlot and this one from cupcake vineyards was very nice. the nose was red berries and i also got a coffee note. on the palate this red is cherry and cocoa and maybe a little spice. a very well balanced red, this is not a super complex wine. just a nice easy drinking red that will go well with food. i think it would go especially well with italian fare . and the price is nice at about $14 a bottle.

opened a bottle of fess parker 2003 santa barbara county syrah. a wine festival acquisition. full bodied. spicey with undertones of vanilla and cocoa. beautiful finish. drank this with out any food, but this would work really well with a nice steak and some garlic mashed potatoes. an excellent wine. rated 93 points by wine enthusiast, this wine is typical of a really good california syrah. well worth the the $$ that you lay down for it.

the quest for the penfolds port will continue. my favorite wine source didn't and couldn't get it, so i will search elsewhere.