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. The family started in 1979, when Juan Carlos Deicas (Fernando's father)  purchased the property. 2010 Tannat.

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

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. Crisp dry finish.

Tannat Merlot 2011 50/50 Unoaked. 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. 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. You can almost taste it in the wine.

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. all this gorgeous sunshine!" she says, "And just listen to the birds chirp!

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?

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.

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. 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!

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. Social climber?

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. have always liked New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc's, but red wines were just not attractive to me. It has a twist off cap.

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'.

We did not taste the Merlot or the Lemberger, but were amazed with the Gruner Veltliner and the Pinot Noir. Two years ago, I fell in love with their 2007 Cabernet Franc. Some very nice reds and delicious whites, by my favorite was the 2010 Rosé d' Cabernet Franc. Our first stop was at Hunt Country Vineyards.

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% Merlot. Grilled a few NY strip steaks this past week-end and looked forward to opening a nice red wine for change. Lots of nice aromas.

merlot, 14.5% 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.

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.

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.

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? The reason I bring this up is because we also briefly connected at En Primeur, and now I am comparing his notes to mine.

Traditional Cabernet Blends. 2008 Moss Wood Ribbonvale Cabernet Merlot – Margaret River. 2006 Cullen Mangan Malbec Petit Verdot Merlot – Margaret River. 2006 Giant Steps Harry’s Monster Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc – Yarra Valley. So now you are asking: did it work?

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.

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

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 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

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. Now you know the Merlot went incredibly well with this dish! so I am in Canada to celebrate the Icewine festival.

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

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.

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.

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.

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. Good idea. OMG, imported Garafolo macaroni, pork and beef, with san Marzano tomatoes.

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.

My second choice was a 375ml bottle of white Merlot that was given to me by winery owner Dave Mansfield when I visited his Three Brothers Winery in May. Our visit to the winery just happened to be the same day that the white Merlot was being bottled. The white Merlot has been released and can be purchased at the winery for $17.

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.

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.

Now looking forward to 4 day trip to New York City and some Long Island Merlots and some more Hudson Valley wines. 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.

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.

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.

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!

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. This wine is 90% Merlot from Bordeaux. always enjoy this wine, a meaty Malbec with a bit of Merlot in the blend. 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.

Here are a few of my favorites: Channing Daughters 2007 Sculpture Garden 88% Merlot from the Sculpture Garden vineyard (the oldest on the South Fork, planted in 1982) and 12% Blaufrankisch from Sylvanus vineyard, aged in French and Slovenian oak barrels for twenty-two months. Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5% million per year.

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 percentage here is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot. Chateau Rauzan Segla.

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.

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

Grattamacco Bolgheri Rosso Superiore 2006 DOC 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 10% Sangiovese. All of them were exceptional and I took very brief tasting notes of each. Herbal, tar, cherries, smoky. San Felice Pugnitello 2007 nose: tobacco, sour cherries, flavors: plums, violet candies.

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!!

This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, is temperature control fermented in stainless steel tanks then aged in 5-hl casks for over 18 months. Tags: petit verdot Cabernet Sauvignon VINO2010 cabernet franc merlot

One of Peconic Bay Winerys’ sister brands, Nautique is a hearty blend of 95% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc produced in Cutchogue, Long Island. First thing that stands out is the bottom-heavy and tapered shape of the bottle, kind of like… well, a lighthouse. In the $15 range, 13.6%

One of the great things about social networking is that you often get in contact with friends and classmates from a time when all was great, life was fun and we were all going to live forever. was reminded of just that this past week as I chatted with an old friend and High School classmate from the mid-60's. Here's what I learned.

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. So much so, at half time of game, I got on-line and ordered more Atwater Cab-Merlot and Syrah.

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.

Grapes from Napa, Sonoma and El Dorado make up this Claret (or English Bordeaux) blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 3% Cabernet Franc. very generous finish displays itself via a robust rich texture and silky tannins. 13% alcohol and in the $15-20 range. Very nice.

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. Alcohol 14.5%

Punica Montessu 2007 Varietal: Carignan Blend Region: Sardegna From Giacomo Tachis of Sassicaia fame comes this Super-Sardegnian blend of 60% Carignano, with 10% each of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah. This was one of my favorites of the tasting and seems to me like a great value at $32 per bottle.

Winemakers Notes: Syrah has found an ideal home in the Finger Lakes , where our climate mimics France's Rhone Valley, where the grape produces some of the finest wines in the world. 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. From that day on I was a fan.

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. The wine is 85% Cab/Sauv, 10% Merlot and 5% Syrah which gives it a nice fruity and peppery finish. A4C has released three wines from Central Coast California: a Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, and a Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend.

From the Columbia and Walla Walla Valley in Oregon comes this tasty blend made from 35% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 14% Syrah. Select Cuvees of Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah from top sites in the Walla Walla Valley were blended with choice lots from the Columbia Valley to produce this unique wine.

dark purple, made from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, very earthy, barnyard and mushroom, creamsicle fruitiness, plums, banana peels, tight tannins, could use a little time. Quick notes on a Bordeaux blend. 50-60

From the Macari Vineyards in Mattituck, Long Island's North Fork, comes this blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 4% Malbec. The four grapes used here are also found in many Bordeaux, usually with a bit higher percentage of Cabernet. The business is led by owners Joseph Macari Sr.

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

This was my favorite from the first flight at the Snooth Cabernet tasting last week. Initially, beautiful dark ripe blackberry aromas assault together with wafts of berries, and hints of vanilla, spices and cassis. 15% alcohol and $16.99

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. As usual, she always gets it right.

Sometime near the end of the year, I would like to post all that I have learned and the wines that I have come to enjoy over the past two years. From a European reds only wine drinker who could not tolerate most white wines or any wines over 0% RS, to be even drinking the many wines I am now, I think I have come a long way.

From New Zealand, this Bordeaux blend of 87% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Malbec is fermented in stainless steel and aged in oak for 17 months. Tags: Cabernet Sauvignon cabernet franc merlot bordeaux stainless steel oak New Zealand malbec

The breakdown was 5 flights of 4 each of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay (unoaked), Chardonnay (oaked), Merlot and Cabernet Franc. This past week the Long Island Wine Council sponsored a seminar and blind tasting of its wines to compare them with others from international regions. So, here we go.

I think it gets a little scary when you choose a not so good wine for three consecutive nights. When the fourth night comes and you just get home from work and you are looking for a nice wine just to sip, watch a little TV and catch up on a little blog work, you check every bottle in the wine fridge and just can't decide for fear of failing again.

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.

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. blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot. About two years ago I found a special deal on a gift pack of two wines from Candoni Wines. Both wines were well liked by all of us at our table.

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.

The 108 acres of vineyards are almost entirely dry-farmed (no irrigation) and largely planted to cabernet sauvignon although there is also merlot, petit verdot and cabernet franc. I’ve wanted to visit the Dominus Estate in Napa since it was built in 1997. But it’s not open to the public. dominusestate.com.

Cabernet Franc is not supposed to be this good. have been tasting more Cab/Franc this past year than any other red and although I had some that were very good, I would not have ever thought it can get much better. Tonight I dug into my modest wine vault and found a Ravines Wine Cellars , Cabernet Franc 2007.

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. The wines are produced with a traditional old-world style.

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.

was impressed with all the Rieslings and the Martini-Reinhardt Cabernet Franc. Especially noted were the 2003 Pinot Noir reserve, the 2005 Cabernet Franc reserve and the 2005 Merlot reserve. Can't think of a better way to start a 2 week vacation then to spend it at some fantastic wineries in the Finger Lakes.

OK, today I sinned again, at least according to some. took my list of New York medal winners to another local wine shop. Unfortunately, I found only one, besides another Anthony Road Vinyards 2008 semi-dry Riesling which I already have in the cooler. Oh yeah, for those who don't know, that wine was judged the most outstanding New York wine for 2009.

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!

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. he created the VIÑA HERMOSA brand. The first night I opened the Crianza.

From Macari Vineyards on the the North Fork of Long Island comes this Sette Frati (seven brothers) blend of 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot. The distinct aromas of green olive along with sour cherries dominate this medium bodied red done in the wine stylings of Southern Rome. Retails for $16.99.

The Lindeman's Merlot 2007 was recommended by a friend this past week-end. Palate: A medium bodied palate is defined by abundantly ripe plum fruit, a touch of earth and trademark Merlot spice. The wine is smooth and supple, very much in the keeping with the modern style of Merlot. Tags: red wine merlot Australia

There I tasted more reds and found an interesting blend 'Viridescens', a bordeaux style blend of Cab Franc, Cab/Sauv and Merlot. was impressed with the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Cabernet Franc. took home a bottle of the Classic Pinot Noir and the Ingle Vineyards Cabernet Franc. They were all sweet.

Latour a Pomerol is roughly 20 acres of gravel interspersed by loam and clay, planted 90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc, with an average age of 35 years. Tags: Cellar Selection France Bordeaux 3 stars 2005 know what you're thinking. You're thinking this guy doesn't know squat. And maybe you're right.