Neat Thoughts About Food, Wine, Travel & More
I 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
I uncorked this Napa Valley Cabernet blend to pair with grilled steaks, garlic and Vermont cheddar mashed potatoes and peppercorn sauce and it was simply delicious.
I decanted half of the wine and actually enjoyed it both ways, although, predictably, it softened a bit after 30 minutes in the decanter.
In the glass, it’s inky red. I just knew I’d enjoy it by just looking at it in the glass and getting a sniff of the chocolaty, oaky, dark berry aromas. A good swirl showed legs wrapped around my glass. As far as taste goes, this California wine has delectable blackberry, stone fruit and mocha flavors. The finish is long and dry and I just loved it.
Aged in French oak barrel for over 20 months, this is a big, bold, almost jammy boy that’s right up my alley.
Pairings: Grilled beef, mac and cheese
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec
Region: Napa Valley, California, USA
Price: $50
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
Had the opportunity to taste this wine last week at a tasting and it was wonderful. The 2008 Joseph Phelps Insignia is inky in the glass. On the nose, this wine is exactly where I want California Cab to be: dark berries, mocha and chocolate. In the mouth, it’s silky and smooth even this early in its life. There are spicy notes, black licorice and lots of ripe fruit. The finish is slightly tannic and medium in length.
Just a gorgeous wine that will be amazing with some cellaring.
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot
Region: Napa Valley, California
Around $159
Enjoyed this cab at a holiday party last week where my friend decided to uncork all the wines they’d received from friends in the last couple years. The first few bottles were what you’d expect from such an arrangement, but then, I saw him uncorking the 2006 Duckhorn Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and made sure to stay close by to get a couple pours.
Big mouthful or ripe dark berries and cherries with chocolate nuances and a bit of spice. Tannic finish that yearns for roasted meat. Complex yet refined wine – yum.
Around $65.
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