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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 2008: Review


Caymus Vineyards
Napa Valley
Rutherford, California, USA
15.2% abv

Appearance: a very pretty dark purple

Aroma: dark berries; blackberry dominates, nice oak and brown spice

Flavors: dark berries; black currants, black plum, and let’s throw in a little black cherry.  Then there is a swirl of vanilla-caramel-oak in the mix here on the first glass.  A touch of tart cranberry on the finish.

Mouthfeel: smooth and supple texture.  The sweet notes hit the front and then a touch of spice in the mid and then a light tartness on the finish.  A long linger aftertaste of dark berries and a light touch of vanilla. 

To the Point:  I have to say on the first two or three sips I was a little concerned.  The vanilla-caramel note was smack in my face and the rest of the flavors seemed to be hiding in the background.  After swirling the glass for a minute or two I must have called all the flavors to order. 

So, decant this bottle for a little bit and the flavors should all be inline and ready to enjoy.  


Wednesday, May 23, 2012

J. Lohr 2008 Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon: Review


J. Lohr Winery
Produced at Paso Robles, California
Bottled at San Jose, California
13.5% abv
78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Sirah, 4% Syrah, 3% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cab Franc, 1% other reds
$20.49 a bottle – I believe I bought this bottle about this time last year at the local Kroger grocery store.
Visit this link to read about this wine -

The last few wines just have not done the trick.  Today, I opened a Norton 07 Malbec before dinner and it had to be one of the worst Malbecs that I have ever had.  Needless to say, I watered the grass with that bottle.  I sure hope I have a winner here.

Appearance: this is one dense wine color; deep, deep garnet; almost black; by the color I say I am in for a treat.

Aroma: cherry and berry like and I cannot put my finger on the other note but, the aromas come together for a nice and light bouquet.  I thought it would be a little bolder from the appearance.

Here is what they say on the bottle for the aroma, “cherry, blueberry, violet, and vanilla.”

Flavors: Oh, this is nice, see what they say about the aroma; well that is what I taste.  Fresh cherry and blueberry with a touch of black currant, then there is a touch of violet on the mid-palate and a hint of vanilla that swirls around. 

On the second glass the wine starts to open up a little with a light toasty oak and a soft dark berry note coming through – along with the other tasty notes from before.

Mouthfeel: super sexy smooth

My Strength Rating: 4 – mild-medium

To the Point: to me not that complex but, it is very tasty and it does have a very light bouquet.  This would be a good choice before dinner; maybe an everyday wine; having a few friends over – serve this J. Lohr Cab.

If you were going to have this with dinner I would pair this with a Barbeque glazed salmon, pecan encrusted rainbow trout, a lighter meat like filet mignon straight up or with a cherry sauce.  

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Chateau Grand Traverse Gamay Noir 2008



Reserve Gamay Noir

Old Mission Peninsula
Traverse City, Michigan, USA

On the back of the bottle they describe the wine as, ‘aromatic and fruity with distinct tart cherry, red plum and black pepper flavors.’

I have to agree with what they have written here - The nose is aromatic, fruity and I am going to add spice to bouquet.  The tart cherry, red plum and a fine grind black pepper shows through on the flavor profile.  The appearance is a shiny crimson color.  The mouthfeel seems thin at times and I feel like something is missing with each sip.  Maybe I am picking up a watery edge that is interfering with the structure of the wine and that is making wine seem uninteresting.

Let me come back to this bottle in a day or two.


Two days later:
That watery edge seems to be gone.  Today, the flavors are melding together.  Besides the tart cherry, red plum and fine grind black pepper I am going to add cedar today.  There is a little cedar spice mixing in with the black pepper spice.  There is a lingering earthy and cedar tone on the palate.  Two days ago there was nothing on the aftertaste but, sheer boredom dancing alone on my tongue.   

This wine needs time to breath after opening. 



  

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Uppercut Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 and Gurkha Ancient Warrior Cigar: Pairing



Napa Valley

Time to visit an old friend.  I reviewed this wine, with a lamb dinner, back in 2010.  I have not had it since (the wine – okay that too), so let’s see how it is aging.

Here is what I had to say on that review on that cold November night back in 2010.
“On the nose there are dark berry fruits with some spice.  The taste has a good blackberry and dark cherry taste but, the alcohol gives a bit of a burn.  So, this wine needs to be decanted to help it to open up.”

Today, I opened the bottle and poured a glass and this wine tastes perfect right off the bat.  The nose has rich boysenberry and juicy blackberry along with a hint of sweet caramel.  Don’t get me wrong this is not a sweet wine.  The alcohol had a bite on the palate back in 2010 and it is not present today.  The wine has aged gracefully.  The taste is just yummy; with notes of dark juicy berries, sweet black cherry, along with a hint of mocha and a swirl of caramel. 

Back in 2010 there was a peppery profile and a dark chocolate style as well, today I do not notice any peppery notes (yet) and the dark chocolate is more of a mocho.  The mouthfeel is more sophisticated and silky smooth. 

Damn, I had a big 8oz filet mignon, for dinner, which was to die for.  I used a coffee bar b-q rub with espresso vinegar on the filet.  Wow, it was just great.  I believe this wine would have been perfect with that dinner.    

I am pairing this wine with a terrific cigar as my after dinner desert.  I have the Gurkha Ancient Warrior which I think is one of the best cigars to pair with a red wine.  The Kristoff Maduro is one great stick to have with a red wine as well. 

The Ancient Warrior Cigar has a tasty forest floor style with notes that remind me of mineral soil, hardwood, sweet toasted vegetation; along with a rich black bread tone. 

The wine and the cigar play off of each so well.  The forest floor likeness of the cigar mingles with the wines juicy berries for an excellent experience.  The Russian bread note from the cigar just soaks up the wines hint of caramel and mocha. 

I am getting down to the final third of the cigar and I do not want this experience to end.  It is just like a passionate night of hot sex (which I know nothing about – I am a married man you know) but, you just don’t want it to end from what I can remember. 

The description on the bottle of wine sounds wonderful, “…an elegant, dark-fruit character and velvety texture. The rich, expansive flavors abound with lush blackberry, black cherry and cocoa expressions, while hints of caramel and spice from barrel aging linger on the fruit-imbued finish.”

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Cipriana Bolgheri Rosso 2008: Review


Azienda Agricola Cipriana
Italy
13.5% abv
$55.00 restaurant price

All I could find out about this bottle is that it’s a Bordeaux blend with a Cabernet Sauvignon focus

Appearance: ruby

Aroma: Blackberry, leather, spice

Flavors: Blackberry bite, earthy soil likeness – it’s like you can taste the soil the vines grow in, not that complex

Mouthfeel: moderate acidity, nice tannins, thick berries coat the palate,

To the Point: in its simplicity it has a bit of sophistication to the mouthfeel.  Decent for the price.