Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

when most people think of california cabernet sauvignon, their first thought is napa. but sonoma also has some very nice cabernets, and many don't cost a small fortune. this one falls in that category, selling for about $14. the nose has loads of fruit, with cherry and bramble fruit, along with some spice (sage) and some nice earth notes. the palate has lots of black cherry and black currant, some earth and finishes with some chocolate notes. easy tannins and a long smooth finish. pairs well with stews, lamb, veal, or a spaghetti and meatball with peppers and onions in vodka sauce. great value red!

Prospero Winery Tapestry Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

prospero winery in pleasantville, new york imports their grapes for their cabernet from california. the wine sells for about $8 a bottle and is a very nice every day red. the nose has black cherry and raspberry notes, along with some smoke, toasted oak and earth. the palate has subtle tannins and lots of raspberry and dark chocolate flavors. i also got some slightly musty, earth and spice along with a little oak. the wine only spends about 10 months in french oak so the flavor of the grape really shines through. it is winter so this will work well with those stews or roasts that are on the menu.

Tall Horse Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

wow! a new year is here and it seems like forever since i have written anything. i didn't drink very much wine over the holiday, choosing to have other adult beverages for the most part. but this cab was one that i had while dining with family. it comes from south africa and as you know i have written about some very nice wines from this part of the wine world recently. and this one is also a keeper, especially when you consider the price is under $10. the nose is full of black fruits and a little spice. i got a little bit of earth on the nose too. the palate is very fruit forward, with blackberry and black cherry, with spice and a little bit of red licorice. very easy drinking red that goes well with barbeque, pizza, burgers and cheese.

Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

my last south african bottle has officially been opened. unfortunately it probably should have been laid down for several years as it has plenty of aging potential, and it is still tasting a bit young. thelema is also from the stellenbosch region and is from one of the highest elevation vineyards in south africa. the nose has lots of black cherry, blackberry and spice. i also got some eucalyptus aromas. the palate is a little tight and tannic at first. it opens nicely after the wine sits in the glass for a bit. nice black currant and blackberry flavors, with smoky cedar,  mint and earth tones in the long finish. this one sells for about $40 and has definite aging possibilities. if you are into the point rating system, this one has consistently scored 90 points or better in wine spectator for 11 years. i enjoyed this with spaghetti with steamed veggies over the top. it will work with any red meat or stew as well.

Oak Spring Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

this is the final pennsylvania wine i have in my collection. in my opinion i saved the best for last. selling for about $20, this cab is aged in stainless steel with oak chips added to the mix for about 6 months if i remember correctly. the results are very interesting. the nose is fruity with black cherry, blackberry, spice and some bell pepper. the palate was very fruit forward, with black currant and blackberry flavors. the were some nice tannins and spice, along with plum and some vanilla in the finish. much more to my liking than some of the sweeter offerings that i tried in pennsylvania.

Sharecropper's Cabernet 2008

one more from the owen roe selection tasting i was at recently. all grapes are from the columbia valley in washington. the nose is full of ripe blueberries, dark cherry and black currant. got some nice smokey notes on the nose too. the palate has blackberry and licorice notes up front and the finish had some interesting cigar flavors. there was a little cedar in there as well. this is a nicely structured cab. not too big like some of the california cabs can be. this one sells for about $20. i am thinking grilled steak or burgers with this one.

Styring Vineyards "Shameless" 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

oregon wine producer styring, known for their pint noir, have jumped into the cabernet pool with this offering. grapes were harvested in the columbia valley in oregon. i had the pleasure of tasting this recently and was not disappointed. lots of dark fruit; blackberry, plum, and black cherry on the nose. there was also some licorice and a little tar as well. the palate was full of the juicy fruit of blackberry, along with some plum flavors. well balanced tannins and a very full mouth feel. nice anise and a little leathery earth in the finish. at the tasting we had this with an overly spiced lamb which took a little away from this wine. this would work well with red meat and pork dishes, as well as lamb without too much spice. sells for $45.

Darby + Joan Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

wine tastings are the best place to try new wines. that is where i get a great deal of the material i write about. this barossa valley, australia cab is from a recent tasting and was a bit different from the napa variety cabs. a little more playful and not as big. the nose had plum and cherry notes and a little herbal aroma. the palate was fruit-forward with black currant and some cherry. i also picked up some licorice notes in the finish. a very jammy cab that will pair well with some nice cheese or maybe a little chocolate. sells for about $10-12.

Folie a Deux Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

the follow up cab i enjoyed with the crabby grape and the feisty tomato was also from the napa valley. this was an interesting comparison, with 9 years difference in the wines. the nose lacked the musty old aromas of the 97, but had plenty of the same black fruit notes. i also got some very nice spice and leather notes. on the palate this cab was much bigger and more structured, with flavors of blackberry and black cherry. there were some chocolate and leather flavors in the mid palate and finish. this wine had heartier tannins and and a longer finish. the 97 was a beautifully delicate wine and the 06 was a bolder, more brash, young son. the both stood up well to the hearty cheese and salami. i liked them both very much for their differences as well as the similar fruit and leather flavors. the folie a deux sells for about $20-25 and would lay in your cellar for quite a while, maybe mellowing to the place that the 97 girard had gone.

Girard Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

thanks to the crabby grape and the feisty tomato for inviting me over to try this napa valley cab. i in turn brought a bottle of cab which i will review also in my next entry. the 97 cab was purchased in 2001 for about $40. the nose was musty, like old library books, with subtle fruit aromas of black cherry and blackberry. we did a quick taste to see whether the wine needed to be decanted, and the decision to decant was made. on the palate this beautiful old cab was delicate, with what i called a pretty flavor. nothing overpowering, with beautifully subtle flavors of black fruits like black raspberry and blackberry. there was some very nice leather and earth flavors and nice medium tannins, and a very nice finish. we were enjoying this wine with some nice hearty cheeses and salami, and it held up very well, complementing the food nicely. this wine was most likely near it's peak and was a true joy to taste after being in the bottle for 13 years!

Geyser Peak 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

good budget wines are always a nice find, and this red is no exception. i tried the suav blanc a while back and it was not bad. the cab is better, with a little more character. the nose is full of fruit with blueberries leading the way. i got some nice plum and leather notes as well as tobacco. on the palate, black cherry, blackberry and vanilla. spice notes and a little dark chocolate as well. not a lot of tannins which was okay with me. this wine didn't need them. sells for about $10-12 and will go with most beef dishes and some good, hearty cheese also.

Wyndham Estate Bin 444 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

bargain shoppers looking for decent reds to enjoy can turn to wyndham estates for good wines at around $10 like this cab. blackberries, black currant, chocolate and minty spice on the nose. on the palate, a full bodied red that had flavors of black currant and plums, followed by some very nice smokey notes. this is a very easy drinking cab that will work well with red meat or pasta dishes, or enjoy it by itself on the deck watching the leaves change.

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.

Bay Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon (nv)

i wrote about the chardonnay from this california vintage and was not very impressed. i had purchased the cab at the same time on a whim. same price of about $4. most folks give two buck chuck pretty high marks. i am not a huge fan but the wine is drinkable. how does this compare? the nose was somewhat floral with black cherry and blackberry notes. it was a bit green in the aroma as well. the taste was unfortunately very thin and young. i don't know if time in the bottle would be of much help. blackberry flavors followed by a little oak and spice but not much finish and not much in the way of tannins or complexity. it was drinkable, but i wouldn't serve it with anything but pizza or fast food. not on the top of my list for good low priced reds.

337 Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

i tried this cab back in march at the cincinnati wine festival. i bought a bottle recently and had it laying for about a month and had the perfect food pairing of pork chops, mashed potatoes and vegetables. the wine had a nice nose of black cherry, spice and a little chocolate/mocha. i got some real nice black cherry and blackberry flavors with licorice and hints of cedar on the palate. nice silky tannins and a lingering finish, all for the the nice price of $12. excellent food wine.

Root: 1 Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

root:1 wine part two is the cabernet sauvignon. i actually tried this a couple years ago and liked it a great deal so i was excited to try a more recent vintage. i am not sure what has happened since the 05 vintage but this wine has lost some its luster. the nose was blackberry and some tar notes. i remembered the 05 vintage having a whole lot bigger, earthier nose. the 07 vintage was more fruit forward. on the palate, flavors of cherry, plum, a little leather and vanilla and very soft tannins made for a nice drinkable wine. it lacked some of the excitement and earthy complexity that the 05 had displayed. sells for $11-12 and pairs with italian dishes, steak, ribs or my favorite, chocolate.

Jim Barry Cover Drive Cabernet 2005

back to australia! sorry for the many aussie blogs lately, but i attended a tasting of all wines from down under recently and i was quite impressed with much of what i tasted and have a great deal of notes to blog about. this cab was very nice, with a nose of black cherry and dark chocolate, with hints of mint and coffee. the palate was very fruit forward with black cherry as the principle flavor. i also got a vanilla and a tar note at the finish. nice, full bodied wine with a nice balanced flavor that sells for about $20 and begs for something in the red meat or pork family to accompany it.

Franzia Cabernet Sauvignon

here is another boxed wine for the budget conscious buyer. franzia has been doing the low priced wines for a long time and quite frankly, they don't have a very good reputation for the quality of their wine. amazing to me because they sell a whole lot of wine, so they must be appealing to someone. at a price of $13.99 for a five liter box, it is very cheap, about 45¢ a glass. try getting a glass of wine at your local restaurant for that price. but how does it stand up to the scrutiny of yours truly? the nose was cherries and plums and some spice. not overly complicated, the taste was more of the same, cherries and plums with a little spice and a medium, dry finish. if you don't have a lot of money to spend and want to keep some wine around for a long period of time, this will work. not great, but it will work in a pinch.

St. Clement Oroppas 2005

one of the fun things about a big wine festival is getting the opportunty to taste wines that you might not ordinarily try because they don't quite fit into your budget. oroppas, a napa valley cab, is one such wine selling for about $45-50 a bottle. the nose was very nice, with aromas of blueberries, cherries, chocolate and spice coming through. the palate was black cherries, raspberries and dark chocolate up front. the tannins are silky and the long finish is highlighted with hints of pepper and more dark chocolate. an exquisite red that left me wanting more. every once in a while i will spend a little extra to get a real nice wine, and this one will be on my list of wines i would like to buy when i can afford it.

Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

one more from the tasting last week. this cab is one of the best i have had in this price range. the nose was blackberries, dark chocolate and black cherries. got some really nice earthy, wet leaves also. the taste was cherry and raspberry, with more of the chocolate coming through as the wine opened up. the earthy flavor also showed up as well. this was a very balanced wine with a great deal of complexity showing through. i would like to try this again and taste it on opening the bottle, then decanting for an hour or more to see the difference as the wine opened up. big, beautiful cab that sells for about $14.