Neat Thoughts About Food, Wine, Travel & More
Opaque and deep red in the glass, this big-bodied California Cabernet Sauvignon offers dark Bing cherry and mocha aromas and a big, rich mouthful of ripe dark berries with toasty, oaky notes. The finish goes on forever with a bit of cracked pepper that lingers on the tongue.
Just a delicious wine.
Pairings: Short ribs, grilled beef or lamb.
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley, California, USA
Price: $50
I had the pleasure to sip this really interesting wine alongside a grilled rib eye steak and absolutely loved it. The combination of lightly oaky, tannic Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the big bold flavors of Zin and the dark, ripe fruity, round flavors of Syrah and Petite Syrah produce a wine that satisfied my love for a big, beefy wine while showing finesse and elegance.
Chief Winemaker, Philip Laffer, says in a statement that “With DEADBOLT, we have created a richly flavored and approachable red wine which is quintessentially Californian. We are delighted with the final outcome”. Indeed he should be.
The wine is available is a limited number of states (California, Nevada, Illinois, Massachusetts and Colorado).
Pairings: Grilled beef or lamb, white cheddar macaroni and cheese.
Style: Red Wine.
Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Petite Syrah and Syrah blend.
Region: California, USA.
Price: $15.99.
This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding to my repertoire as it is truly enjoyable.
My dad poured this wine at Christmas to pair with rare prime rib au jus and it was superb.
In the glass, this Bordeaux blend is brick red. On the nose, it has barnyard and earthy aromas that I sniffed for quite a while before moving on to a sip. In the mouth, the 1984 Chateau Gruaud Larose has stone fruit, leathery, mushroomy and mossy flavors. The tannins are still present, but after a bit of time in the glass, the wine became rounder, softer but still pretty great albeit perhaps a bit past its prime.
Pairings: Beef, French onion soup.
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): Bordeaux blend – Cabernet Sauvignon: 57% / Merlot: 31% / Cabernet Franc: 8% / Petit Verdot: 2% / Malbec: 2%.
Region: Bordeaux, France
Price: $120
I participated in a virtual tasting last night hosted by Jeff Gordon Cellars featuring its Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah blend named Joie De Vivre. For those of you who have not taken part in a social media wine tasting, this is what it entails:
Back to the wine. The Cabernet is from Corbett Vineyards Spring Mountain, the Merlot from Solari Vineyard Calistoga and the Syrah from Page Nord Vineyard Yountville. Only 254 cases were produced, so get your thirsty hands on a bottle if you want to try it.
In the glass, it is dark purple and has me decanting half the bottle for later comparison. The nose is intense with aromas of ripe raspberry and juicy cherry exploding out of the glass. Ripe cherry, juicy stone fruit and dark berries flavors with a spice and smokey finish. The decanted wine has a lovely earthy flavor and the young tannins round up for a smooth mouthful.
Pairings: Grilled beef, cured meats and cheese platter, pasta with red sauce.
Style: Red
Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah blend
Region: Napa Valley, California, USA
Price: $61
I am grateful to have been invited to sample this celebrity wine that, as seldom happens, turns out to be quite great.
For additional information about Jeff Gordon Cellars and its wines, visit: www.jeffgordonwine.com.
Cheers, Veronique
This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding to my repertoire as it is truly enjoyable.
Viscous inky purple in the glass – just really pretty. Big, bold dark berry aromas jumping out of the glass. In the mouth, this Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is jammy with intense blackberry / grape flavors and black licorice and mocha notes. Pleasant dry, tannic finish. Dinner in a glass.
94 Points – Robert Parker.
Pairings: Beef. Cheese fondue.
Style: Red
Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley, CA, USA
Price: $70
A friend shared this special bottle at a recent dinner and it was just gorgeous.
In the glass, it is deep red with amazing legs. On the nose, this French Bordeaux is earthy with spiced notes. In the mouth, it is silky with rich plummy fruit. It is perfectly-balanced with fine tannins and stone fruit sweetness that is velvety and lasts forever.
Pairings: Duck, beef, lamb.
Style: Red
Grape Type(s): Bordeaux Blend – Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Region: Bordeaux, France
Price: $69
I enjoy Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon and when I was invited to go camping (yes, in a luxury RV, but camping nonetheless) I opted to bring the 2005 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon to pair with the prime rib eye steaks I was contributing to the festivities.
In the glass, this Alexander Valley wine is deep crimson. The nose is intensely of dark fruit, pumpkin pie spice, tobacco and black licorice. In the mouth, it’s jammy, smooth and velvety with ripe berry, vanilla and toasted oak notes. The finish is medium in length with some pleasing tannins.
A wine to treat yourself to when you buy the very best steaks for the grill.
Pairings: Grilled prime beef. Cheese course.
Style: Red
Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Alexander Valley, California, USA
Around $60
Paired this French Bordeaux with rare roasted duck and it was a nice pairing. In the glass, it’s brick red in color. The nose is an appealing blend of plum, coffee and leather. In the mouth, the stone fruit comes through along with vanilla and mocha notes. Medium finish with softened tannins.
Pairings: Grilled or roasted beef or duck. Cheesy dishes.
Style: Red
Grape Type(s): 50% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc
Region: Bordeaux / Medoc, France
Around $25
Beautifully-made Napa Cabernet. Deep purple in the glass, this wine displays a deep berry, very fragrant nose in the glass. In the mouth, it’s rich and well-balanced with plummy qualities and traces of coffee and cocoa.
Wish I could put a couple cases in my cellar to drink in 10 years.
Pairings: Grilled beef. Cheese course.
Style: Red
Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley, California
Around $60
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