Cabernet Franc Syrah 2011 (60% CF, 40% Syrah unoaked). Tannat Cabernet Franc (50/50) 2011. Filgueira winery … Alan and Sebastian show us around the winery and introduce their wine, which is now owned by a Brazilian company. liked all the wines, especially the high end reds. Great property and quality across the line.

You will find Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Vigonier here along with Tannat. Have you ever considered moving to what some people think is the 'end of the world?" The landscape in this remote part of Uruguay is somewhat luner, yet it's the special terroir that makes the wines of Alto de la Ballena so good.

Pueblo de Sol Tannat Blend (70% Tannat and Merlot/Cabernet Franc) Limited Edition 2007 Barrel aging, eep garnet purple color, nose of rich ripe purple and black fruit, vanilla notes from the oak, lots of black licorice. Fabulous visit today to Familia Deicas winery today, home of some of the best Bordeaux style wines in the world.

blend of Tannat Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon  Malbec Merlot). "What exciting wines!" is my first reaction to meeting Marcelo Irurtia, who is in charge of vineyard management for his family's 100 year old winery, and Maria Silvia Bianchi, who is in charge of exportation. The brand of these two wines is Km.0 naked viognier.

must compare it to a Petite Mansang from France. Blend of Tannant Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc and Merlot. … so the first thing you notice as you drive to Bodegas Carrau near Montevideo is the gorgeous grounds and the stunning classic “Spanish Style” Hacienda with flowers all around. They buy 25% new oak every year.

2009 Cabernet Franc. 2007 Tannat Cabernet Sauvignon  (85 Tannat 15 CS). "This is an incredible park!" I couldn't help but exclaim as Victoria  Varela, the fourth generation of her family who is also in charge of the export market, shows me around her Varela Zarranz estate. you can see them both in the picture above. Herbal.

At 8:00, fellow journalists and I make our way to the “big house” where Laure’s mother Marie-France lives. Marie-France enters the room, a very energetic woman in a Chanel-looking jacket. Due to its gravel dominated soil it is planted in grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon (35%), Cabernet Franc (35%), and Merlot(30%).

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot are the grape varieties of Pauillac. The majority of these are cabernets, with a large predominance of Cabernet Sauvignon, which give the wine its bright color, subtle flavor and great aging potential. About the history of Chateau Lynch-Bages.

had already tasted and reviewed their 2007 Cabernet Franc and found that to be one of the best Finger Lakes '07 Cab Francs from what was a very good FLX vintage. Along with the Cab Franc, I tasted a couple of blends that I thought were remarkable. Entrance sign off W. Lake Rd. On this day, I tasted only a few whites.

You probably know that in Maraux, six varietals are allowed: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. yet in the past, Carmenere was and is still allowed. The problem until now is that it was difficult to ripen fully. In my Decanter article , I explain the decision behind its revivival.

Chateau Rauzan Segla 2006 Gran Cru Classe-Margaux 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, aged in 50% French oak barrels for 18 months. Cabernet Sauvignon, 33.5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, aged in 50% French oak barrels for 18 months. Chateau Rauzan Segla 2001 Gran Cru Classe-Margaux 63.5%

The focus is on international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah. Flagship Ca' Marcanda is a blend of 50 percent Merlot, 40 percent Cabernet Sauvigon, and 10 percent Cabernet Franc. Apparently, buying the land from a merchant family took many years and hence the name.

Conceived as a marriage between the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grapes, this Italian "SuperTuscan" has evolved over the years from a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon to more Merlot, which yields more plush, supple, luxurious wines. Isn't this art incredibly gorgeous?

alcohol cabernet franc. The French have a wine term that doesn’t translate. No, it’s not terroir. It’s vin de soif. wine that’s thirst-quenching is a fun drink that accompanies food or a moment but doesn’t dominate them. It’s lowish in alcohol and in price. ” The replies were telling.

Wine Spectator called Bob's first Cabernet Sauvignon "a Cellar Selection.". In 1991, Bob became general manager for the California operations of Stimson Lane, again producing award-winning wines, including a Cabernet-based Conn Creek  wine that received the highest Wine Spectator ratings of any Stimson Lane label to that prized consultant. 

delightful blend of Merlot and Cab Franc. There were also some very nice Cabernet Francs from the Finger Lakes and surprisingly my pick for Best Red Wine is from the Finger Lakes. blend of 40% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, 15% Carignan, 10% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. should be back on track after the holiday season.

Cabernet franc usually shows well for the uninitiated in warmer vintages and this one convinced most people while others found it to be green. I recently tweeted that I’d be leading a tasting of hipster wines. “Will you wear a wool hat?,” ” someone asked in response. What can you do? Why is it a hipster wine?

Africa and daughter of Warwick founder Stan Radcliffe, is the force behind the famous Bordeaux blend, Trilogy, popularized Cabernet Franc, and was instrumental in launchng the Pinotage society so it is natural that these wines are consistent award winners (though there are other award winning red blends, and Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc as well).

The two Bordeaux blends are the Constantia Glen Three and the Constantia Glen Five, with the “Five” containing the typical five grapes (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc) and the “Three” containing the major Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. “Welcome!” News S.

Today the French insurance company AXA owns several wineries which produce the world’s most exquisite wine, such as Chateau Pichon Longueville, Chateau Suduiraut, Chateau Petit-Village, Chateau Belles Eaux, and two other properties outside France, Disznoko in Tokai and Quinta do Noval in Portugal. “A French insurance company owns a Chateau?”

He had originally bought a case to commemorate the birth of his 2nd son, and I thought it was very generous of him to show up with this wonderful Bordeaux blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. The world of wine has been good to me. Ray O., Julien 2003. Thank you, Ray! Score: 98.

Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon round it all out, along with Petit Sirah and Merlot. Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Sauvignon fruit comes from an alluvial fan on Ritchie Creek in Calistoga, and the 8% Merlot and 8% Malbac comes from a vienyard along the Napa River. Terrezas de los Andes. 21.99.

The 2009 Te Kahu is a Bordeaux style blend of 80% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec. First, this is the first New Zealand red wine I have tasted in a least four years. The last was an unimpressive Pinot Noir that, along with some not so favorable press about NZ reds, kept me away from trying anymore.

Bordeaux style blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, & 10% Merlot.This was one of my few remaining wines I brought home for my visit to Keuka Lake in August. One full week of gorgeous weather in now over. got out of work tonight and walked into the chilly and rainy night.

He marketed one of his wines as “Anjou Pur Breton,” which somehow made it past the authorities for several years despite containing a place name and a grape name (Breton is a local name for Cabernet Franc). His transgression? Goofing around with names. The decision of how to proceed now lies with a prosecutor in Angers.

On Sunday I opened my favorite Finger Lakes red wine, a Cabernet Franc. Sunday October 9th kicked off the fourth annual Regional Wine Week, an event started in 2008 by Jeff Siegel ( The Wine Curmudgeon ) and Dave McIntyre ( Dave McIntyre's WineLine ) and hosted by DrinkLocalWine.com. This one was a 2008 for Sheldrake Point Winery.

Of course, I did come to the rescue with a Cabernet Franc Rosé just brought home from my recent Keuka Lake Wine Tour and a visit to McGregor Vineyard and Winery. McGregor Vineyard and Winery Rose' d'Cabernet Franc 2009 ( $15 ), Fantastic Tonight Shirley made one of her classic catastrophes. digress, now back to my Rose'.

Two years ago, I fell in love with their 2007 Cabernet Franc. Although I have tasted some awful good Cab Francs since, that one is still my favorite and may be the wine that finally convinced me that the Finger Lakes region is capable of producing some world class red wines. Our first stop was at Hunt Country Vineyards.

had already finished the two white wines and found them very enjoyable, so this afternoon I chose to open and try their 2007 Cabernet Franc ( $14 ). This is a very good Cab Franc and will pair very well with tonight's chicken: ALERT: WARNING: Oh no, not now! Cabernet Franc Skaneateles Lake Finger Lakes

did pass on a few nice California reds though and stayed with the Finger Lakes and a Salmon Run Meritage 2008 ( $11 ), a blend of 54% Cabernet Franc, 39.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6.5% Grilled a few NY strip steaks this past week-end and looked forward to opening a nice red wine for change. Merlot. Lots of nice aromas.

Cabernet Franc, 9.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5.6% To me, sometimes fruit is a better thirst quencher than a simple glass of water. And the Macari Rose 2010 from Long Island's North Fork is a case in point. The wonderful wet aromas of a freshly cut watermelon. luscious ripe strawberries picked this morning. merlot, 14.5% alcohol.

When storing the wines after retuning home, I found that I had tasted and selected more red wines than white, especially the Cabernet Franc. This past Sunday, Shirley, Pam and I along with two good friends attended the Finger Lakes Wine Fest in Watkins Glen, NY. My day started with a pace car ride around the 2.5 Wine Fest

And the winner was: a Hosmer Winery Cabernet Franc 2008( $18 ). did like many of the Finger Lakes '07 Cab/Francs, but this was my first '08 and I was not expecting anything grand after the fantastic red wines of '07. Well, I was wrong to think that way. There were some hints of dark fruit, black raspberry or maybe black cherry.

A few weeks ago I read a very nice review on the New York Cork Report about a Long Island dry Rose` made with 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. It's only been about three years since I started to appreciate Rose` wine and they have all been 100% Finger Lakes Cab/Franc. This Long Island wine sounded very interesting.

Tannat is a red wine grape, historically grown in South West France in the Madiran AOC and is now one of the most prominent grapes in Uruguay, where it is considered the "national grape". dry mouth feel with taste of mineral and currants and a long dry finish with a little spice was a lot like a good Cabernet Franc.

very nice dry rosé of 100% Cabernet Franc grapes. courtesy of Lenndevours.com Trying to save my Finger Lakes Rieslings for mid summer, so I started opening some of the wines I brought home from my last Finger Lakes visit. This past week, I opened a fantastic Vidal Blanc from Swedish Hill Winery and a few of the dry rosé in the fridge.

My wine highlight of the weekend was uncorking a Domaine Baudry 2010 rosé, made from cabernet franc in the Loire appellation of Chinon. Ah, Memorial Day. Grilling. Veterans. And politicians pandering to motorcycle groups. It also happens to be the kickoff to summer drinking season and here in the Northeast, we had terrific weather.

Cabernet franc grown on limestone from a top grower in Chinon. Napanook 2007 cabernet sauvignon : This wine’s list price is about $50 but I’ve seen it online as low as $35. Even though it is the “second&# wine from the Dominus estate, it has the seductiveness of good cabernet. And around $30 a bottle?

85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc. 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc. 56% Cabernet Franc, 44% Merlot.Fabulous rich ripe fruit (more figs, ripe plum, spikes of blue fruit), with a long finish of sultry nuances of chocolate, tobacco, anise. La Tour du Pin. Le Petit Cheval. Second Wine. Chateau Cheval Blanc.

The vintage was a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc with 70% new oak. Did any of you happen to read Neal Martin’s blog today on the eRobertParker.com site? In person Neal is charming and a bit subdued, yet his columns are bold and colorful and he is never afraid to say exactly what he means.

Traditional Cabernet Blends. 2008 Moss Wood Ribbonvale Cabernet Merlot – Margaret River. 2006 Giant Steps Harry’s Monster Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc – Yarra Valley. 2005 Penley Estate the Chertsey Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc – Coonawarra.

The blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Peite Verdot and Malbec was again delightful. Tonight was one of them nights when Shirley did not feel like cooking, I was not hungry and the NCAA Basketball National Championship was being played. game I have not missed in 38 years. Great way to end the night.

Some one said it was a Cabernet Franc. Sounded plausible, but it didn't remind me of the Cabernet Francs that I know from the Loire. A lot of people don't like blind tasting, but I enjoy it a lot. The point for me is not to try to guess the wine, although that is fun and definitely a part of the learning experience.

This medley of five grapes is a cross blend of Bordeaux and Rhone varieties that includes 82% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Shiraz and aged for six months in oak. All round this is a very good value at $19.95 retail per bottle

2008 Macari Cabernet Franc (USA, New York, Long Island, North Fork). Style note: Elegant and vibrant style of Cabernet Franc, "Old World" in the sense of slightly subdued fruit with many nuances of texture and flavor. color: purple medium + intensity, tears fast to form and fall. body is med, alc est 13.5

How does cabernet franc age? The Domaine makes only wines from cabernet franc, with the exception of a white wine from chenin blanc at the Croix Boisée vineyard. The 2002 Grezeaux still had plenty of freshness and a bit of that herbal–but good herbal–character of cab franc. I’d tend to agree.

This is ripe but controlled and perfectly balanced, absolutely drinkable Cabernet Franc. I stopped into the Jenny and François spring portfolio tasting the other day to taste some of the new releases. Check out their new website , by the way - it's a million times better now. It's a portfolio to get to know, if you haven't already.

The Show is a big, rich, deep Cabernet, although according to the website there are also small quantities of Merlot for softness, Cabernet Franc for earthiness and acidity, and even Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot to give it a deep ruby color. all aged in French and American oak. Big is the key descriptor here.

The blend is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, aged in French Oak Barriques for 24 months and six months in bottle. Enticing aromatics of cigar box and spicy smoke, a ripe fruit bouquet of black cherry and plum, with seductive vestiges of herbal sachet, vanilla, glycerine, spices, and even earthy hints of tar.

From vines adjacent to the Tignanello vineyards this Super Tuscan is made from 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese with 5% Cabernet Franc, and only produced in exceptional years. Aged for 12 months in new French oak barriques and 12 months in bottle.

will add some more flesh to these bare bones in a future posts, particularly for Muscadet, some cabernet franc, and one heirloom variety. The Loire has such diverse wines–red, white, pink, sparkling, sweet–that there’s enough to keep a wine enthusiast’s attention for a long time. French wine

The St Emilion maker of bold blend of merlot and cabernet franc paid for the placement in cash and wine. Jean-Bernard Grenié told me today that the laws prohibiting advertising wine in France made the producer pursue a strategy of product placement in movies. Grenié said that they “loved&# the wines. TV and movies

just need to open a nice wine and sitting on the table was a 2007 Cabernet Franc I picked up yesterday at a local Mom and Pop liquor store. Cabernet Franc Keuka Wine Trail Finger LakesOne in particular was my total disdain for Feta cheese and also for Goat cheese. While there Pam insisted that I try a Feta cheese.

When it was purchased by Albrecht Seeger and his family in 1978, the winery moved to the Brae Burns Estate (where you can find Icewine varitals such as Riesling, Cabernet Franc, and Vidal. so I am in Canada to celebrate the Icewine festival. Today the winery, located in Niagra-on-the-Lake, is covered in fresh snow.

have three Ravenscroft glasses, for example, that I use for Cabernet Franc and Syrah. I have a lot of wine glasses, but they are mismatched, as I have broken many over the years. had four but I broke one. had two of those enormous Riedel Burgundy glasses - BrooklynLady and I were given them as a gift for our wedding.

also have become more interested in the wines of France. My best Rosé - Heron Hill Cabernet Franc Dry Rosé 2006. Although known primarily for white wines, the Finger Lakes does very well with Cab Franc and Lemberger and their red blends. Here at home, I guess eventful would be saying it a tad mildly. Marvelous Wine!

As a student in various wine educational programs, yes, I have – and when faced with several wines fitting this description, it can often be choosing between Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Cabernet Franc (assuming it is traditional old world varieties). would not know if they were Gamay, Pinot Noir, or Cabernet Franc.

From The North Fork of Long Island, this Cabernet Franc opens with an earthy barnyard funk, violets, dried flowers and sour cherries, on the palate ripe strawberries and vanilla. After decanting for a few hours the flavors mellowed a bit and veered back towards sour cherry.

Gassier Sables d'Azur Rose 2009 From Cotes de Provence in France, this Rose comes in an hourglass shaped bottle and is a Grenache blend loaded with flowery aromas, waves of grapefruit, apricot and orange peel, with flavors of cherries and roses. The crisp palate shows a tart freshness that sings with the essence of rose water and cherries.

From The North Fork of Long Island, Macari produces this delicious blend of 42% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Petit Verdot. alcohol, retails for $42/bottle. Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Macari Vineyards

know it's a bit bulkier than is ideal, but I tend to bring Loire Cabernet Franc wines to Thanksgiving dinner because people expect their red wines to be brawny and dark, and I certainly do not want to rain on my family's parade. How do I pick wines to bring for Thanksgiving, Brooklynguy? What should I buy? They don't hate it, anyway.

After a very formal coffee and croissant breakfast, we were met by the energetic blonde Corinne Michot, who along with Marie-Louise Schÿler, Director of Communications, spent several weeks planning the extensive details of our very extensive trip to various AXA properties in France and Hungary. Visiting Pichon Longueville. The Cellar.

Tenuta Tignanello 2007 IGT 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, aged in new oak barriques after fermentation until December, blended and aged in barriques for a year, each barrique was individually tasted before bottle aging for another year. complex and sexy.

Today the French insurance company AXA owns several wineries which produce the world’s most exquisite wine, such as Chateau Pichon Longueville, Chateau Suduiraut, Chateau Petit-Village, Chateau Belles Eaux, and two other properties outside France, Disznoko in Tokai and Quinta do Noval in Portugal. Sunday: Dinner in a Chateau. The Lunch.

2007 Claux Delorme Valençay , about $16, is a delicious blend of Malbec, Gamay, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir. I was very fortunate to be invited to dinner by JD Headrick , the philosophical and articulate wine importer based in North Carolina. Headrick's portfolio is small, but well selected. By the way, Rouge Tomate is really good.

The lineup includes about six wines, red, white and rosé, all from France. Other notable wines in the lineup are Chateau les Maines, a 2009 rosé from Bordeaux that I wish I had discovered at the beginning of the summer, and the 2007 Chateau Moulin de la Roquille, with right-bank Bordeaux that has a nice note of cabernet franc.

blend of Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc, Long Island Merlot and Hudson Valley Baco Noir delivered pleasant aromas, a very nice mouth and a long, dry, fruit filled and smooth finish. Last year during regional wine week, I was able to taste (and consume a bit) some of my favorite wines from the nearby Finger Lakes.

At Christmas last year, we had a superb bottle of 1992 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet. The cabernets are from a largely bygone era, one of lower alcohol, less extraction and more subtleties than power. But sometimes we still need encouragement to take time to smell the flowers and such is the case with enjoying mature wine.

If you like Cabernet Franc from the Loire and you haven't tried this wine, you honestly should make a point of buying this. In the way that the general wine drinking public under-values Loire red wines, I think that us Loire lovers under-value the wines of Domaine Filliatreau. promise you, you will not be disappointed.

Of note, the charismatic vigneron Pascal Collotte makes a solid red (merlot-cabernet franc) and a rosé from his 30 acres in the Entre-Deux-Mers region; The Bernaults, of the 30-acre Chateau Beauséjour in Montaigne-Saint-Emilion, make a merlot-cabernet franc blend from 45 year-old vines.

Now I surely needed some vino, so I stopped at Benmarl Winery (America's oldest vineyard) to sample their Cabernet Franc (my favorite) and Merlot. The stalls are set up under the FDR Drive so it's semi-protected from the elements. headed to the market having had a light breakfast, so I would have room for as many samples as possible.

Eric and his wife Deborah took a trip to Trepass Vineyards last year and returned raving about their wines, so I was really happy to unwrap this Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Franc is used for blending Bordeaux and other varietals in the Loire Valley, but is being seen more and more around the world

Getting time to clean out the old wine fridge. After two months of laying around, drinking coffee, tea, water and gatorade and laying off the good stuff I am beginning to feel the need for a long day of wine shopping, but the fridge is full and I will just have to do my part in making room for more. Here the grapes for Frascati are grown.

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. don't always know where she gets her inspiration and last night I did not see any of her cookbooks on the counter, so that means she thought about this recipe while trimming her herb 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.

I've been holding out on the wine reviews until everything gets back to normal after my surgery. At present, my Cardiologist has OK'd 3-4 oz. of wine per day and, for me, that just don't cut it. do cheat a bit and I also skip some evenings. That is what happened with the first bottles I opened. little lighter bodied than what I'm used to in Zin.

Now that the cabernet sauvignon is ready for racking and blending I've started playing with sample blends. To get the party started I divided our cabernet sauvignon, which represents the lion's share of our available wine, into four categories: (1) Tight, and tart raspeberry notes. 2) Dark fruits. 3) Mellow and round. with a 3.9

Last March I posted a press release on a new collection of artisan wines in an innovative attractive new package. An international wine collection with six brands and ten items packaged in a new exciting premium 3L wine cask from the Octavin Home Wine Bar ™. The Chardonnay was not impressive. Definitely a good party wine.

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. The hard part was deciding which ones I would post on the blog. After this article I will post once more on a NY Riesling and may list all those I have had. Both were opened with a BBQ chicken dinner.

From Chile's Rapel Valley, comes this blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Syrah, 5% Carmenere, and 2% Cabernet Franc, 68% of which was aged for 7 months in French oak barrels, while 32% was aged in stainless steel tanks, before bottle aging. Aromas of red berries, spices, licorice, dried figs and cassis.

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. You can add comments or photos or just sit back, relax, read what others are having and just sip away on your own wine.

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. Gary noted four wineries, one of which I vaguely remember from an article written by Evan Dawson for the New York Cork Report. Sipping later was delightful.

Now this is a relatively new region producing quality wines, among them Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and "Yarden Rom" which is a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot (percentages depending on the vintage), aged in French oak barrels for roughly 21 months and bottled without filtration.

Hercules 06 was first, a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. The middle wine was a single varietal Cabernet Sauvignon 05, ripe and succulent with notes of black current. This was one of the evening favorites until the main course wine of Orion, which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.

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. Other than ordering on line, it is very difficult to find New York wines other than Finger Lakes and Adirondack wineries in the local shops. Enough history.

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. The 2008 Red Tail Ridge semi-dry Riesling was suggested by my sister-in-law. This is now one of her favorites.

From Valle de Uco in Mendoza, Argentina comes this unbelievable 100% Cabernet Franc, aged for six months in oak barrels. On the mid-palate is cola, black pepper and dark glycerine with a wonderful finish of resinous black cherry. Sampled a day later and then two days later and only improved as time went by.

Certainly a light-bodied Loire Cabernet Franc would be beautiful (I was thinking specifically of the lightly chilled and delicious 2007 Filliatreau Saumur-Champigny , $15, Louis/Dressner Selections, but I didn't have any in the house because I am a fool). prefer an actual spring, but when life gives you summer weather, grill.

The vineyard area is 90 hectares (222 acres) and the grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon 65%, Merlot 30%, Cabernet Franc 5%. Oak vats are used for Cabernet and Merlot from the plateau of Brane, and for the others fermentation is carried out in stainless steel tank or epoxy-lined concrete tanks. Henri Lurton.

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!

At 21 hectares for red varietals, the vineyard is composed of 82 percent Merlot, 13 percent Cabernet Franc, and 4 percent Petite Verdot. Jean-Jacques & Florence Dubourdieu. So here I am in Bordeaux the Sunday before the beginning of En Primeur, where journalists will sample the new 2009 vintage. I quite agree. But wait! The 16.5

I'm leaving Chile(till later) and heading over to California to try a few more Zin's. I'm starting to surprise myself with what I am finding with Zinfandel and also a bit disappointed that I wasted so many years with such a limited selection or narrow palate. Deep dark fruit aromas with some cherry. Hey, you're never too old to learn.

This is slightly rustic Cabernet Franc. Is it possible to drink great wine on a daily basis if you're not rich? I'm talking about wines that cost between $8 and $12 a bottle? think it it is possible, yes. can (and will) name some cheap wines that I think are excellent wines. European wines cost more now that they did 5 years ago.

Jamesport Vineyards 2005 Melange de Trois Bordeaux blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc. Wölffer Estates 2006 Fatalis Fatum 42% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Franc, 27.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5% million per year. Barbera, and aged 22 months in oak.

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. The first two left me with mixed feelings about the wine. did enjoy this with some Muenster and Dubliner cheese. It'll be fun!!!

The chateau was bought by a negociant who replaced the tanks with stainless steel and grubbed up the vineyard to plant a majority of cabernet sauvignon, with a smaller percentage of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. The percentages vary yet as is the case in most of the Medoc, Cabernet Sauvignon is the major varietal.

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. If I remember right, it was a take it or leave it, nothing special, too many other fine wines, don't shop for wine. The first was disappointing.

Sausages stuffed with Rosemary & Garlic) Wine: Anthony Road 45% Cabernet Franc, 55% Lemberger from The Finger Lakes Region, Placed Silver at The Indy International Awards. This weekend I bought all my produce at The Union Square Farmers market in NYC, then made a simple but delicious dinner that was both healthy and locally grown.

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

A blend from Verona of Cabernet Sauvignon with a bit of Cabernet Franc, this is loaded with intense aromas of black raspberries, vanilla, stewed prunes, and even hints of bacon with an even smaller hint of varnish. Ovaltine. Seems like a perfect match for a cold snowy February night