Franco-American couple Michael and Hélène Affatato purchased the1646-dated Chateau La Gatte in 2004, and enovated it into a B & B and winery. 60% Sauvignon Gris, 40% Sauvignon Blanc There is but one hectare (2.2 Today Helene came to London Lennie's in New York to describe her white and red Bordeaux to the staff. Hours.

All six were reds and either 100% Shiraz or a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Yalumba The Scribbler 2008 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Shiraz showing aromas of oak, raw wood and ripe cherries while on the palate hints of violets, black pepper and a spicy intensity. Table

would have pulled out a nice Gewurztraminer if I had one, but settled for a Fontana Candida Frascati Superiore DOC 2008. Getting time to clean out the old wine fridge. Shirley keeps doing her part by challenging me to come up with a pairing for some of her weird dinner experiments. Here the grapes for Frascati are grown.

Stoney Lonsesome Estates 2008 Reserve. I love it when Shirley decides to experiment in the kitchen. It either means we end up going out to dinner or I am in for a special treat. What I do know is that she cooked skinless chicken breast in apple juice with oyster mushrooms, slices of gala apples and diced mint fresh from the garden.

Winemakers notes: A classic Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon. 61% Cabernet Franc, 28% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. I don't often go with Shirley and Pam to the Saturday morning Central New York Regional Farmer's Market, but I made an exception today.

have already tasted two of the Octavin Home Wine Bar artisan white wines and did review the Sauvignon Blanc from that collection and was looking forward to trying the Zin, but not necessarily writing a review. I've been holding out on the wine reviews until everything gets back to normal after my surgery. Best of all is the price.

have since tasted a Monthaven Chardonnay (California) and this past week the Silver Birch Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand). The Sauvignon Blanc, on the other hand, was outstanding. Silver Birch Sauvignon Blanc is from the famous cool climate vineyards of the renowned Marlborough winegrowing region. Definitely a good party wine.

This week I decided to open a dry and semi-dry from the same winery to compare and I chose one of the nicest Rieslings so far; Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2008. With May and New York Riesling month coming to close soon, it is safe to say that I tasted more Riesling this month than any one year in my life. Why, I'm not sure. Truly enjoyable.

Park Avenue Spring was a wonderful venue to showcase the wines - a creamy 2008 Chardonnay with a long crisp finish that paired well with the oyster, refreshing 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (tank-fermented and aged in neutral French Oak barrels), 2004 Pinot Noir (everyone's favorite!) "So what did the first winery look like?"

My choice for the evening was a 2008 semi-dry Riesling( $14 ) from the Long Point Winery. This past Monday evening was a first for me on-line. Because of my work schedule and Shirley's extra long 'honey-do' list I never have the chance to do a tweet up on Twitter or follow a wine party on Facebook. All from the Seneca Lake wineries.

The first one I opened was the Zugibe semi-dry 2008( $14 ). This past weeks edition of the Syracuse New Times, a weekly alternative newspaper published in Syracuse, New York, contained an interesting article on Finger Lakes Riesling. Evan is passionate about Finger Lakes wines and authors some of the most interesting articles on the subject.

from McLaren Vale to showcase verticals of their Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. really enjoyed the 2001 Shiraz, which received 98 points from Wine Advocate, though I enjoyed the 2008 equally well with its jammy red fruits and "inky black fruit over vanilla ice cream" character. The Shrivingtons are an interesting family.

The two wines we tasted were the 2008 Riesling and the 2008 'dry' Riesling. To continue Riesling month here in New York, I wanted to find something other than my favorites from the Finger Lakes region. Doing so seemed almost impossible. Brotherhood also happens to be America's oldest winery. Enough history.

The 2008 Red Tail Ridge semi-dry Riesling was suggested by my sister-in-law. Just finished watching the movie "Avatar" while sipping on my first Riesling of the summer. Finger Lakes Riesling of course. This month is Riesling month in New York and this will be the first of many I'll enjoy over the next 30 days. Sound good? What else is better!

Concannon introduced America's first varietally labeled Petite Sirah in 1961, sparking a love affair with this varietal, and led with the introduction of Cabernet Sauvignon clones 7, 8 and 11 in replanting much of Napa Valley in the 1970s. Recently, the wife and I have been discussing a possible trip to California next year. must buy!

The next four wines were all quite good, and were preferred by some of us, enjoyed by all, and in no particular order: 2004 Domaine du Deffends Côteaux Varois Clos de la Truffière , $19, Robert Chadderdon Selections. 2008 Commanderie de Peyrassol Vin de Pays Portes Méditerraneé La Croix , $13, Neal Rosenthal Wine Merchant. Aren't they?

The first of the Zin's I recently stocked up on is the Rancho Zabaco Dry Creek Valley 2004 Reserve. The 2004 vintage is 96% Zinfandel and 4% Petite Sirah. I'm leaving Chile(till later) and heading over to California to try a few more Zin's. Deep dark fruit aromas with some cherry. Hey, you're never too old to learn. Not that I am old??

The first 4 pairings with various Salumi: Ruffino Chianti Superiore DOCG 2008 From the Poggio Casciano Estate vineyards in Chianti, using choice grapes during the harvest, as per the Superiore and Chianti Classico production standards, and aged for seven months in stainless steel tanks and two additional months in bottle.

Since 2004 Steve has been Long Island Wine Council’s Executive Director, playing a large part in bringing the number of visitors to 1.3 Jamesport Vineyards 2005 Melange de Trois Bordeaux blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5% million per year.

Tonight I uncorked another Carmenere from Concha y Toro , the Casillero del Diablo 2008 Reserve. This is the third of the Carmenere wines I tasted this month. As I stated in my previous two articles, Carmenere is one of the wines I've pushed aside in the past, but have placed on a list to re-examine in 2010. I'm still not sold on Carmenere.

Concha y Toro produces several different wine styles including a late harvest Sauvignon Blanc made from grapes the Maule Valley. They also produce a barrel fermented Chardonnay and a single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon named after the winery's founder, Don Melchor. It's been a few years since I tasted Carmenere.

Wish I had a nice Canadian wine tonight so I could toast the Canadian Olympic Hockey Team on their winning of the Gold medal. am not an avid hockey fan, but I do watch occasionally and tonight enjoyed one of the best ever games. Instead, I uncorked an Arboleda Carmenère 2006 from the Colchagua Valley of Chile. Bring on the steaks!!! Wine Acidity: 5.31

The second course of fish was paired with Azua Bobal Roble 2007 (sweet floral nose, fruit and spice on the palate that does not weigh one down) and Quantum 2008 blend of Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Michael Apstein. Have you heard of Manchuela? It is a very small, rather new D.O.

Think my taste buds are back. I've been having a few problems with red wines since finishing some prescribed meds a few weeks ago. No matter what was tried I was getting a very musty taste. opened a few old reliables thinking there must have been some bad bottles in the rack, but they turned out to be the same. Bogle Winery 2007. Great value!!

The tasting room is located in an 1850s farmhouse and the wine is the Cline Cellars Cashmere 2008. Cline Cellars is a national sponsor of the event and contributes $25,000 from the proceeds of 2008 Cashmere sales. was reminded of just that this past week as I chatted with an old friend and High School classmate from the mid-60's.

An Atwater Estate Vineyards , Cabernet-Merlot 2007. blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Merlot. Winemakers notes: This dynamic duo combines the brawn of Cabernet Sauvignon and the suppleness of Merlot. Tags: Cabernet-Merlot New York Seneca Wine Trail red wine Finger Lakes Can't do much better than that.

Big break in weather today here in Central New York. Temperatures will reach about 30F. Must be the annual January thaw! To celebrate I figured to open one of my usually reserved for warm weather whites. My choice is one that was recently purchased at Lakewood Vineyards on Seneca Lake at the December 'Deck the Halls" event. 2007 Riesling.

Trentino Traminer Aromatico Casato Montfort 2004 Varietal: Gewürztraminer Region: Trentino Aged 5 months in steel vats and 3 months in bottle. Andrea Oberto Barbera d'Alba 2008 DOC Cherry pie, red berries, blackberries, tobacco, polished. This wine is an excellent fruit forward California Cabernet. Well, here they are.

purchased the Bonterra, because I have already reviewed two other of their wines, the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Sauvignon Blanc and enjoyed both. Somewhere among my 50 New Year's resolutions (99.9% failure rate) was to leave my wine comfort zone more often as I continue to expand my trapped palate. It just never happened.

Syrah has always been one to those wines I could take or leave it. Almost all that I had ever tasted were the Shiraz from Australia. While visiting Damiani Wine Cellars on Seneca Lake this past spring I tasted an excellent Syrah and I was sold. From that day on I was a fan. enjoyed the Syrah with Shirley's three bean chili.

This has been one fantastic year of enlightenment for me when it comes to all things wine. Believe I may do a year end article on the subject. If I do, I will have to include the German grape, Dornfelder as one of the highlights. Dornfelder is a cross between Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe grapes. It is the 3rd most planted red wine grape in Germany.

The first one I opened was the Martellotto 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon. A4C has released three wines from Central Coast California: a Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, and a Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend. Tags: Cabernet Sauvignon California red wine Paso Robles Zinfandel Now Cabs I have no problem with.

Can't seem to find a Finger Lakes Riesling I don't like. Thanks to my son, this past weekend I opened a dry Riesling from Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars located in Lodi, NY, on the east side of Seneca Lake and my first stop on the annual " Deck the Halls " event on Dec. have to say his timing was impeccable. g/L pH: 2.93 Alcohol by Volume: 12.1

Winemaker's notes: Grape Varieties: Sangiovese, Canaiolo Nero, Cabernet Sauvignon Chianti may well be the single best-known wine in the world - historically celebrated, universally revered and enjoyed over centuries. Tonight I added another favorite place to eat in Syracuse, Joey's Italian Restaurant.

Now I have a few and tonight I chose a 2008 Reserve Reisling from Fox Run Vineyards. Thankfu lly for me, a no sugar guy, the 2008 vintage is a dry Riesling, 1.0% Only in years when ripening conditions are outstanding will this wine be produced and the 2008 is well worth it. The downside of this Riesling is the price.

passed over many of my favorites before keeping out a Billsboro Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2008. remembered commenting on an older post that this was may be the best Sauvignon Blanc I tasted outside of my favorites from New Zealand. find many good Sauvignon Blanc's from New Zealand and Chile between $9 and $12. Good Buy!

Every Friday and Saturday after work, a few friends and I visit our favorite lounge for some great food off the bar menu and to down a few glasses(maybe more than a few) of wine. Of course, the lounge is owned by my son and his fiance and has become our regular hang out since opening one year ago. Finally, he has listened to his dad. At that price.

About two years ago I found a special deal on a gift pack of two wines from Candoni Wines. The gift pack wasn't what sold Shirley and I on the purchase, it was the label. The gift pack included a bottle of Merlot and a bottle of Pinot Grigio, of which we opened at a dinner dance held during my annual military reunion. First, the label. for $11.

Alright, here's my dilemma or at least one of them. Tonight Shirley and daughter Pam are making 'halupkies' for dinner. Halupkies are also known as stuffed cabbage or as we called them in our house as kids growing up in the Pennsylvania coal region, 'blind pigeons.' The dilemma, I have no clue as to what wine to open. That only added to the dilemma.

Cabernet Franc is not supposed to be this good. Tonight I dug into my modest wine vault and found a Ravines Wine Cellars , Cabernet Franc 2007. Tags: New York Cabernet Franc red wine Keuka Wine Trail Finger Lakes There comes a time when you believe that a certain wine just can't get any better. Such is the case today! It has!

lot like between a Sauvignon Blanc and a Gewurztraminer. While in Virginia on vacation, I picked up four bottles of Virginia wines, figuring I would try all four and choose one to review. Tonight I opened up the second bottle and had maybe the best white wine find of this summer, a 2006 Michael Shaps Viognier from the King Family Vineyards.

I 'm currently making room in my wine cooler for a recent large quantity buy, so I pulled out a Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2005 Riserva for a pizza dinner tonight. had this wine about four years ago and wasn't fully impressed at that time, but thought I'd give it another chance and the price was right. Turned out to be a good move.

One of the problems with bringing home lots of wine from a Finger Lakes wine tour is deciding which ones to try first. Shirley helps make that decision easier by planning some meals ahead of time or by just giving me a warning of what's on the menu for the night. Sometimes though, it can be challenging choosing the right wine for the meal.

Unfortunately, I found only one, besides another Anthony Road Vinyards 2008 semi-dry Riesling which I already have in the cooler. OK, today I sinned again, at least according to some. took my list of New York medal winners to another local wine shop. Winner of the New York Wine and Food Classics's 'Governor's Cup.' I Don't Like Sugar."

Well it's time to try a new wine, at least new to me. Before now I have never tasted Gewurztraminer. Please, no comments on that issue. It took me over 30 years to appreciate any white wine, and now that I do, I am trying them all. The first was OK and will be nice at a evening get-together, but not one I would bring to the party. Great Buy!

Based on what I found on the net, it is probably a 2004. With ample experience in making and aging great wines dating back to 1964, Santiago Ijalba García left his position as general and technical manager in a historic Haro bodega to launch his own personal project. In 1998 under his newly-incorporated company Santiago Ijalba S.A. Great Buy!

Looking for great buys in wine? Just look to Australia. Don't know what's going on Down Under but right now some of the best buys for wine are Australian. The Lindeman's Merlot 2007 was recommended by a friend this past week-end. Our wine taste profiles are about 180 deg. apart, so I was a little hesitant, but he hit this one right on the nail.

Sometimes you just get lucky when searching out a wine. dropped into a local shop this week and during a conversation with the shop owner I had asked if he had any wines from Oregon. He did. He actually had one. It was a Pinot Noir. have had some really nice Pinot's from Oregon before, but they were a bit pricey. Pricey, but good. Great Buy!

Can't Wait) While out doing her bidding, I was informed that my daughter Pam was doing a broiled Salmon dinner, so I was looking for a nice Sauvignon Blanc to accompany the meal. OK, NZ is still the best, but the Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc 2006 is as good. Tags: white wine Sauvignon Blanc California organic made the right choice.

It seems every winery in the Finger Lakes has a Meritage. Most are nice bordeaux style blends that are very popular and very tasty and very distinct to each winery. Years ago I struggled to find one to like, now I am finding it difficult to taste one I don't like. And then, there comes along one that is over and above any I have tasted before.

On our recent wine tour through the Finger Lakes , I begrudgingly tasted a dry Cabernet Franc Rose' from Heron Hill Winery. Doesn't beat my favorites, (dry Rieslings and Sauvignon Blanc), but is a very pleasant add to my summer wine collection. Tags: Rose' New York Cabernet Franc Keuka Wine Trail Finger Lakes Great Buy!

Further, Grant Phelps, the Viu Manent winemaker, said that the Viu 1 was “identical in almost every respect&# to the 2003, 2004 and 2005, three vintages that he also made. What does a 62 point wine taste like? Not that I follow scores for wine very much, but a 62 pointer? Man, that had to suck. accepted. Was it inferior?

The shop had a small selection of Portuguese wines and I only had about $15 in my wallet, so I chose a inexpensive Quinta Da Cortezia 2004 Reserva. One of the most difficult time's I have on a short vacation is waiting for the train to take me home. This past week-end was one of those days and that great deal was in a wine shop. Great Buy!

Today, I stopped in to buy a Sauvignon Blanc for the evening. Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008. Tags: white wine Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand I really enjoy shopping for wine and finding one that I never tried and end up putting it on my list of must have wines. Today, I chose a good one. This wine is awesome!

2008 Grosset Wines Polish Hill Riesling, Clare Valley. 2001 Cullen Wines Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Margaret River. 2004 Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra. 2004 Mt Langi Ghiran Langi Shiraz, Grampians. 2004 Penfolds RWT Shiraz, Barossa Valley.

From 95% cabernet sauvignon, with 3% merlot and 2% petit verdot.makes me think they should add 2% petit verdot to the final blend of the 2008, in an attempt to recreate the longevity of the sweetness here. Tags: 2004 Central California 2006 1988 3 stars Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Napa Valley 4 stars Still delicious.

Tenuta Il Borro Toscana 2005 IGT From Arezzo, Italy this blend is a balancing act of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah, and aged in French barriques for 12 months. Castiglion Del Bosco Dainero 2004 IGT From the Tuscan region of Montalcino comes this mouthwatering blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Sangiovese grapes.

This wine helped us two on our goal to the Wine Century Club since it has 40% Kékfrankos, 30% cabernet franc, 15% syrah, 5% Kekoporto, 5% pinot noir, 5% cabernet sauvignon. Someone else brought in the Produttori di Barbaresco, Barbaresco 2004 ($30; find this wine ) after trying it at the wine shop Vino. Good times!

The Golan Heights winery's Yarden 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon came in at 91.  Having followed Israel wines for many years I knew this day would come.  Having worked at Israeli wineries I was sure that others would eventually acknowledge the high quality of up-and-coming Israeli wines.  How cool is that!  Happy Israeli wine tasting!

Those were a Seavey cabernet and a Hansell chardonnay I purchased at Scotto's Wine Cellar nearby before we left. 2004 Mouton Cadet Bordeaux. 2004 Cantina Zuccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva * (Previously reviewed) Nice bright fruit this tasting, with good acidity and a lightly silty texture. drink beer.  Pirque, Chile.

The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon and Primitivo displaying intense ruby red color with aromas of blueberries and plum along with flavors of black cherries and notes of black pepper and spice. I found this Bonello red wine blend from Sicily (An Italian branch of the Beringer Blass Wine Estates) for a mere $5.99

Lot 93, a 2004 Tempranillo from Spain: Deep purple, ultra fruity nose very nice aromas of violets and flowers and red cherries/ red fruit on the palate, really nice. Lot 75, a 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa California:, Nose: oak, Fig Newtons (Eric G called it), raisins, slightly bitter on the palate.

2004 Napa Valley Merlot **+ Thoroughly enjoyable. 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ** The merlot was so good I went back and bought a bottle of the Cabernet Sauvignon. This is 100% Napa cabernet , "47% from the Oakville AVA, with the majority of that (43%) from Robert Mondavi Winery's To Kalon Vineyard."

Chateau Cadillac Bordeaux 2004 smooth cherries, nice. made from 70% Merlot with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and a 12.5% first impressions sent via twitter. more to come. Here's more. alcohol content, this Bordeaux is aged in oak barrels for 12 months on one of the oldest properties in all of Bordeaux.

Audrey, reading Wine Spectator in Lake Tahoe, Spring 2008) So it was with glee and trepidation that I ordered one ticket for the California Wine Experience at the Marriot in NYC - but mostly glee. Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley "Eisele Vineyard" 2005 * Smoky garnet color. This year, the 2004 was underwhelming.

tasted the Artemis cabernet sauvignon and Karia chardonnay only briefly. The 2004 S.L.V. The 2004 Cask 23 was similar to the S.L.V. and Fay, in my opinion, but lacked the spice nuance, and I thought it was the winery's attempt to follow the cult crew in producing a chocolately rich cabernet for immediate consumption.

On the night of the great VP debates, the Imbibe Wine Club met to sample some 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon from California. We had three from the Napa/Sonoma region, and one from Carmel Valley in Central Coast.

A favorite Cabernet of mine is the Yarden Cabernet.  The 2003 is drinking great, the 2004 is delicious and the just released 2005 is gorgeous.  Both of these wines are lush and concentrated wines that provide a change from the usual Cabernet's. are their single varietal Merlot , Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz. 

Coeur D'Alene Cellars focuses mostly on the Rhone varietals Syrah and Viognier along with Cabernet Franc and the of course the usual suspects Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. We have the 2004 Coeur d' Alene Washington syrah. Often wines forms The United States seem unapproachable in price. Idaho? Yes, Idaho. Cheers

1991 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard. 2004 Produttori del Barbaresco. 2005 Puzelat Touraine La Tesni è re , a lovely smoky and funky white made of Menu Pineau, and the 2004 Puzelat Touraine La Tesni è re , a red made of Pineau D'Aunis. The more I learn about wine, the more I realize that I don't know.

©2008 photo by Dave Trieger This is another one of my favorites from the tasting I attended this past weekend at The Restaurant at Sun & Surf Beach Club in Atlantic Beach, N.Y. On the palate is a mature fruitiness and a rounded vanilla mouthfeel really nicely balanced in a fine example of what a Cabernet is all about.

The Les Tourelles is a Merlot based blend with cabernet sauvignon making up 40% and cab franc rounding it off at 10%. The special occasion wine this week is a beautiful and approachable Bordeaux blend form the village and appellation of Pauillac. The label is classic and at thirty-eight bucks it won't really cost you an arm and a leg.

Another pick from the 25 plus wines sampled at the Murcia Tasting at the Astor Cente r this week, from Yecla, Spain, comes this blend of 50% Monastrell*, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Syrah with 10 months in French and American oak and 14% alcohol. Color is a clear, ruby red. The finish is long and smooth with oak influences.

Levendi's 2004 Napa Valley Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a perfect, "special occasion" wine. It sits on the shelf for seventy-five bucks but what is inside are plenty of reasons that make it worth every penny. This wine shows that it is possible to bring subtly to Napa Valley. personally love this wine.

This is the second time I've had this red wine from Maremma , Tuscany (actually the first time was a 2004). Called Tommasi Poggio Al Tufo Rompicollo , this Supertuscan is 60% Sangiovese and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Paired well with a tagliere of prosciutto, speck, gorgonzola and smoked gouda cheeses at Uvarara

The one that really stood out to me was the Michaud 2004 Pinot Noir from the Chalone region.  And finally, the 2004 "The Big Easy" Syrah had big ripe blueberries that were so well integrated with the soft tannins and velvety mouth feel that Fess Parker has a new advocate in The Wine Tasting Guy. But it wasn't all perfect. 

Even though this red wine from California is labeled Cabernet Sauvignon , upon further research I found that it is in fact a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Syrah , 4% Merlot and 1% Tempranillo. On the finish there is a spice and vanilla on the palate. This is a decent every day Cab and can be found in the $8 range.

Reds: 2005 Chateau la Rame, $13, Rosenthal Imports (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot). Reds: 2006 Clos Roche Blanche Touraine Pif, $14, Louis/Dressner Selections (blend of old vines Malbec, young Cabernet Franc). 2004 Sandro Fay Rosso del Valtellina, $13.50, Omni Wines importer (100% Nebbiolo). range. Yup, it costs over $1.50

Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 This Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, California is made from 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petite Sirah, 5% Syrah, 4% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot and 1% Malbec- quite an intense mix, but it works. Here are 7 of my most recent favorite inexpensive but good wines.

began in a French table area and tried some Sancerres (made from Sauvignon Blanc), some white Burgundys (made from Chardonnay) and some white blends. His 2004 Neiman Cellars Napa Valley Red is a blend of 1/3 Cab Sauvignon, 1/3 Merlot, & 1/3 Cab Franc. Sadly Pam was not there, but her 2005 Cab Franc & 2004 Cab Sauv were.

Called Black Coyote Bates Creek Vineyard 2004 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. it's 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot and barreled for 19 months in new and used French oak. Today after work a few of us got together and sampled a really powerful bottle of wine from California. Powerful because it is 15.1%

Like the 4 bottles of 2004 Puzelat Touraine Pineau D'Aunis I found the other day. Sitting there sandwiched between the J Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon and the Jacob's Creek Shiraz. 2004 Thierry Puzelat Touraine La Tesni è re Pineau D'Aunis , $18, Louis/Dressner Selections. Well, not exactly, but you get my point. alcohol.

Diamond Creek's three vineyard-designate 2006 Cabernet Sauvignons: Gavely Meadow Red Rock Terrace and Volcanic Hill (all $145). Ramey's 2006 Pedregal Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($125) might have been the best wine of the night. Eric Baugher (left) Sean McBride (right) holding bottles of 2006 and 2007 Monte Bello.

This Mendoza red wine blend from Argentina is composed of 34% Cabernet Sauvignon , 33% Malbec , and 33% Merlot , aged in French oak for 12 months. It has a very intense floral nose, deep purple red color, the palate is dark cherry, toast. It's full bodied and long on the finish. Recommended by the restaurant ( Alberto's

Tommasi Poggio Al Tufo Rompicollo 2004 IGT. This deep red is 60% Sangiovese and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Today at Uvarara Vineria E Ristoro I had the pleasure of experiencing wines paired with wonderful dishes inspired by cuisine from Tuscany, Italy. First up was a 100% Sangiovese. Giaconde Sangiovese Rubicone 2006 IGT.

Rather it was a 2004 (I think) Recanati Reserve Cabernet Franc. Cab Franc is one of the 5 Bordeaux varietals (grapes which can be used to make French Bordeaux wine - others being Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec & Petit Verdot), and it is usually used as a complementary grape as opposed to a primary grape in Bordeaux.

Remembering a 1996 Hagafen Cabernet Sauvignon that I bought and saved until 2004 I knew this was a question I needed to address. I received a very good question from a reader yesterday. The question by Wayne W. is as follows: "One question I still have about red wines is how long to cellar them before drinking. BAD RULE.

Amazingly enough the Galil Cabernet has gotten so good it even does well with a little age. Of special note is the KING, the Cabernet Sauvignon from Gamla , of which many vintages are still available. Rogov gives the 2004 the best score of the bunch, but any will do the trick at $14 or so. The Dalton Canaan Red. category.

Cabernet Franc is known for having green bell pepper notes, and these green herbaceous notes simply do not jive with my palate. And their 2004 "Right Bank" Red, a blend of Cab Franc (53%), Merlot (30%), Petit Verdot (9%) & Cab Sauv (8%) was beautiful. She had a nice Sauvignon Blanc and very pleasant Merlot as well.

The Bleasdale Cabernet Sauvignon Mulberry Tree 2004 was given a 91 by the Wine Advocate. It has been a while since I've posted/found a wine deal, but this one seems to fit the bill. have not tried it but is being sold at the retailer linked above for $12.84.  Other online retailers advertise it for between $15-$18. 

White 2004 Vergé Viré-Clessé Vieille Vignes - barnyard funk is overpowering on the nose. This can't be sauvignon blanc. Red 2004 Peyra Côtes d'Auvergnes - somewhere between the south-eastern edge of the Loire and the north-western Rhône is Côtes d'Auvergnes. And this wine is made from CABERNET SAUVIGNON.

©photo 2008 Dave Trieger Italy • The grapes are 90% Sangiovese with the remainder a mix of Malvasia nera, Colorino , Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from one of the original Chianti regions, Rufina. This red wine is #57 on the Wine Spectator's Top 100 list for 2007 and received a 91 rating for the 2004 vintage.

photo ©2008 by Kristen Trieger Monte Antico Toscano 2004 IGT • This red wine by Italian wine specialist Neil Empson and winemaker Franco Bernabei is made from 85% Sangiovese , 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. Aged in oak barrels for a year and in bottle for 6 months, this ruby red medium weight wine is 12.5%

We drank a 2004, a vintage that might not need as much time to unwind as say, 2000, 2003, or 2005. 2004 Calon-S é gur , St-Est è phe , $40 when I bought futures almost three years ago, and only a few bucks more now. How nice to try a wine that is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (70% in 2004) and at merely 12.5% Anyway.We

also tasted Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Biancos, Gewurtztraminers, Sylvaners, Muller Thurgaus, and a few whites which were blends of some of the aforementioned varietals. The Andriano Cantina "Tor di Lupo" Sauvignon Blanc 2006, a wine the pourer called a CRU wine, was quite interesting. new record high for me. BUT, do it SOON!

©photo by dave trieger Label reads: Grand Bordeaux Chateau Saint Genes Premieres Cotes de Blaye 2004 Bernard Magrez Proprietor. Grapes: Merlot / Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a heavy weight ruby bordeaux, with chocolate covered cherries on the nose, and a full fruitiness on the palate.

• Castel Sallegg 2004 Traminer Aromatico (Alto Adige-Traminer Aromatico) This is a Gewurztraminer, Alto Adige's signature grape, which Augosto says, may have originated that region. • La Castellada 2002 Sauvignon (Friuli-Sauvignon Blanc) To come. • Movia 2000 Veliko Rosso (Friuli- Cabernet Sauvignon. Amazin

Here are the wines that I really liked: 2005 Chinook Cabernet Franc - Nice young cab franc nose of raspberries and rose petals, a bit of spicy pepper too. imagine this would retail at about $20, a pretty good value for a delicious and young drinking Cabernet Franc. Primehouse New York hosted the event. That is one busy bull.

Claude Gay, a French immigrant set up a green house in Chile isolating many exotic plants as well as vitis vinifera vines including carmenere an d cabernet sauvignon before phylloxera devastated Europe. So with that being said our fourth wine is a 2004 Domaine Gayda Three Winds Vin de Pay d'Oc syrah from the Languedoc. Cheers