2011 Jean Edwards Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2011 Jean Edwards Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2011 Jean Edwards Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet SauvignonThis is Jean Edwards Cellars’ flagship wine and it’s simply delectable. In the glass, it’s deep ruby and offers ripe cherry aromas laced with mocha, pumpkin pie spice and tobacco. In the mouth, it’s medium to full-bodied with chocolate-covered cherry flavors with earthy, plummy notes – wow, just wow. The finish is medium in length with medium tannins that softened with decanting.

The vineyard the grapes for this wine come from is located on Pritchard Hill above St. Helena on the eastern side of the Napa Valley, where some of the best California Cabs are made.

With neighbors like Hobbs Stagecoach ($150), Chappellet Pritchard Hill ($100) and Bryant ($200), this wine is a bargain at $65 and absolutely on the same level, or better.

Pairings: Beef, lamb, cheese plate.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot

Region: Napa Valley, California, USA

Price: $65

2003 Rudd Oakville Estate

2003 Rudd Oakville Estate

2003 Rudd EstateTasted this wine after it’d been decanted for a couple hours – wow. In the glass, it’s deep garnet and one sniff had me hooked. Aromas of mocha, tobacco, dark fruit and stone fruit. In the mouth it’s lush and round and offers great fruit flavors with caramel, leather and blackberry notes. Finish lasts forever.

Simply an elegant, well-structured wine. I feel fortunate this wine was shared with me.

Pairings: Beef, duck, cheese course

Style: Red wine

Grape Type(s): 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot and 3% Malbec

Region: Napa Valley, CA, USA

Around $90

2009 Jean Edwards Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2009 Jean Edwards Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2009 Jean Edwards Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet SauvignonI had the California Cabernet Sauvignon at a recent wine pairing dinner and it was big and round and rich with stone fruit aromas and chocolate covered cherry flavors. It was paired with short ribs and côte de boeuf and it was simply decadent.

Pairings: Roasted or grilled meats, cheese course

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Napa Valley, CA, USA

Price: $65

2000 Seavey Vineyard Caravina Cabernet Sauvignon

2000 Seavey Vineyard Caravina Cabernet Sauvignon

2000 Caravina Napa ValleyI uncorked this wine that had been in my cellar the other and simply loved it. This Bordeaux-style wine offers earthy and stone-fruit aromas and a well-balanced, plummy-in-the-mouth Cabernet Sauvignon with all the finesse and elegance a California Cab should have.

Pairings: Grilled meats, pasta with Bolognese sauce, mild blue cheese

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Napa Valley, CA, USA

Price: $65

2007 August Briggs Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2007 August Briggs Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2007 August Briggs Cabernet SauvignonOpaque 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