It is a quaint vineyard and after a tour of the ferementation vessels we have our tasting in the cellar, surrounded by oak barrels. 44 Cab franc 28 Tannat 18 Cabernet Sauvignon 10 Merlot. "Welcome!" says attractive dark haired Federico Domingo, Export Manager for Bodegas Castillo Viejo as we squeeze into his tiny car. Viognier 2011.

As we arrive a the winery Carlos proudly shows us his “new and old” cellar … one part dates from 1910, and the other part(s) they had built in stages, with the most recent part built just last year. The cellar is artfully done, designed to showcase and link both the new and the old. Don Prospero Merlot Rose 2011. “Welcome!”

The tasting room above is very "old school" yet the cellar and vat room are located in this incredible structure. It's an icon, just like the wines which include Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. There are 741 acres here, and the soil includes "metal rich hills," calcareous outcroppings, clay, and alluvial.

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. Promis is 55 percent Merlot, 35 percent Syrah, and 10 percent Sangiovese (all planted on darker soils).

Good Sauvignon Blanc plus Merlot 09 and Syrah 09. Very interesting seminar at the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers -- a "bean tasting" with various wines from Cakebread! It is based on Cakebread's American Harvest Workshop which features five innovative chefs and eight small purveyors. very balanced yet lots of luscious oak and butter.

The grape varieties grown include: Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot, Pecorino, Passerina Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.  . The wines are aged in traditional French oak barrels located in Domodimonti’s wine cellar. Do you like sulfates in your wines? No one does. Sustainably-grown, using organic matter. Low-yielding vineyards.

delightful blend of Merlot and Cab Franc. This year's best though is the Damiani Wine Cellars semi-dry Riesling 2010. I guess saying that 2011 was not as eventful as 2010 would be understating it a little. Seems I have found the pounds that were lost or misplaced during the early part of the year. At least new to me). So, here goes.

Reds include Merlot, some Rhone varietals, and red blends. They even have a Kosher range (sparkling brut, Chardonnay, Pinotage, Merlot). In the fullness of time he became a butcher, then bought the farm that is today Backsberg Estate Cellars. Arco Laamar & Harry Haddon (checked shirt). Two wineries being neighborly!”.

I ask Charles Hopkins, cellar master at De Grendel wines in Cape Town. We try several wines, two Sauvignon Blancs, their signature Bordeaux blend called Rubaivat, a Merlot, a Pinot Noir, and all are incredibly delicious. "So what's the story with these gorgeous horses?" Charles explains that this winery (they are called farms in S.

The Cellar. Corrine Michot gave us an excellent tour of the cellar, both the “old cellar” and the new cellar which is gorgeous and so high tech it even has “skylights” that allow a visitor to look up at the sky through a thin film of water, as the cellar is located below the water table. Secrets of the Cellar.

Mercer Estates wines sampled at lunch included the Pinot Gris (one of the best selling wines in Washington), the Merlot (absolutely my favorite of the Mercer Estates wines with its mouth filling, rich flavor, incredible balance, and pure elegance of fruit) and Cabernet Sauvignon. "This Gone Fishin wine label is great!"

Well, we had places to go and people to see, so back on the road heading for Dr. Konstantin Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars. We did not taste the Merlot or the Lemberger, but were amazed with the Gruner Veltliner and the Pinot Noir. Around the lake and now heading north on the East side our first stop was Ravines Wine Cellars.

Merlot. In 1993, Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars expanded production with the introduction of a value brand , Salmon Run, which is in honor of the majestic landlocked Salmon and beautiful Keuka Lake. Grilled a few NY strip steaks this past week-end and looked forward to opening a nice red wine for change.

We began with base blends of our varietals -- Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot -- and then experimented with single barrel additions and reductions, "reserve" or "barrel selections," and blind tasted everything with friends and family repeatedly. Merlot from Oak Knoll and 1.7% might not understand them yet; they might not show themselves.

SInce I'm in NYC, I am so luck as I can go to my favorite Park Avenue Spring restaurant and have three vintages of Cabernet from their family cellar paired with four courses of chef Kevin Lasko's cuisine! The vines planted are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Look at the incredible aerial view of Marston Family Vineyard above.

From Tuscany roars this Super blend of 70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot, showing an intense nose of resinous oak, black cherries, violets, and on the palate cassis, blackberry, bright ripe cherries, white pepper and spices. complex. silky. balanced. beautiful.

Portugal’s entry into the EU paved the way for modernization and raised capital for winemakers, improving cellars, equipment, and vineyards. … so when you think of Portugal, you probably think of Port, yes? And it’s true, Port has been the signature drink of the country for decades. About Lisbon. Meeting Producers. Alorna.

The Cellar. Corrine Michot gave us an excellent tour of the cellar, both the “old cellar&# and the new cellar which is gorgeous and so high tech it even has “skylights&# that allow a visitor to look up at the sky through a thin film of water, as the cellar is located below the water table.

The Cellar. Corrine Michot gave us an excellent tour of the cellar, both the “old cellar&# and the new cellar which is gorgeous and so high tech it even has “skylights&# that allow a visitor to look up at the sky through a thin film of water, as the cellar is located below the water table. The Tasting.

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. King Ferry Winery was founded in 1984.

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.

Honey Spice fingered A soft-dried apricot And sipped cream fresh From a cup- Spotting a cluster of fungi She pulled a knife And stepped from the cellar Into light Chåteau D’Yquem 1995 Merlot answered the door In a dark purple plum dress Waving a ringed hand As he entered Foot bare On a path [.].

a limited selection of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah from different harvests. was specifically produced for the 60th anniversary of the cellar, and the winery decided to continue with the same brand and same varieties (with different harvests for each one). Aurora Ochoa of Penin Group and Marta Tornos Camacho of Groupo BSV.

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.

One in particular was a "white" Merlot which was being bottled in the adjoining room. Our next stops were Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars and Wagner Vineyards. Back on the road and headed to Red Newt Cellars and Bistro for one fantastic lunch and of course more fantastic wines. Maybe both!! It will not be in my rack long. WoW!!!

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.

He headed back up to the valley that same afternoon to make his best offer, and Cakebread Cellars was born. served with pasta and ultra-fresh peas and morels, 2004 Merlot (the real winner)and the 2006 Syrah paired with Steak, and the 2008 Zinfandel served with the dessert course shown below. "So what did the first winery look like?"

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.

By 1839, his first underground cellars were dug and Mr. Jacques fermented his first wine vintage. Those cellars, the oldest and largest in America, are still in use today at Brotherhood Winery. Now looking forward to 4 day trip to New York City and some Long Island Merlots and some more Hudson Valley wines. Enough history.

The wine is nothing like shiraz, cabernet, merlot blends of Australia, but it’s not really very Margaux either since it is fuller and richer and showing more of the syrah character now. Priced the same as Chateau Palmer ex-cellars, this isn’t your typical vin de table. in the one I tasted last week.

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.

Grass fed sirloin steak cooked this way , salsa verde, and raw kale salad in olive oil and a dab of fish sauce. -- Oma , a raw cow's milk washed rind cheese made by descendants of the original Von Trapp family, and aged in the Jasper Hills cellars. The assertive herbal flavors might mess with Cabernet or Merlot. Sounds good. alcohol!),

All week long, I overheard other fine wine journalists raving about Brane-Cantenac — not just this vintage, but as the “first of the seconds&# and that many of them collected it in their cellars. think also in those markets, buyers will want to have some Brane-Cantenac in their cellars. Henri Lurton. We learn every vintage!

Recently, the wife and I have been discussing a possible trip to California next year. few of the issues are for how long and where. Of course my choice would be Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley or Russian River Valley, the home of some of the best wines in the world. Oh, I'm sorry, did I leave out Paso Robles, Lodi, Central Coast or Livermore Valley.

Though the land and cellar that are Chateau Camensac have been around for nearly two hundred years, parts of the actual Chateau are quite new and its original owners would be hard-pressed to recognize it today. The Vineyard has a density of vines per hectare 10.000, with 60 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 40 percent Merlot.

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 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!!!

Monte Bello, the estate’s top wine, is a blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and some Merlot, but also, in some vintages, some petit verdot. Estephe-like in its tannins; turns out it was 76% cabernet sauvignon and 24% merlot. The wines were all from their cellars. The road to Monte Bello. That’s about when the first vines appear.

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. My last review confirmed that feeling, but in a very serious attempt to expand a lazy palate I purchased a few different labels to compare. The first was disappointing.

Here is a complex wine that is very drinkable now but can probably be cellared for many years to come From the family-managed Cirotto Vini in Asolo in the Veneto region of Italy (the foothills of the Dolomites).

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

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!!

Also tasted (blind): 2003 Ridge Vineyards California Mountain Merlot and 2005 Duckhorn Merlot Napa Valley Both very similar in style to the 2005 Monte Bello. The Ridge Merlot was surprisingly pure, with developed dark fruit notes, soft but still present tannins, and notes of dried flowers, perhaps even violets, on the nose.

The story cites the 2006 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars merlot available at the tasting room for $45 when it is available at Target in the Bay Area for $31.99. “We have to upgrade everything! Get me Facebook and Twitter!&# So says renowned Napa winemaker, Mike Grigich, age 87, in a story in today’s NYT dining section. Doubtful.

The winery is Cline Cellars. One of the first wineries on the road to wine country, Cline Cellars is located 45 minutes north of San Francisco in Sonoma-Carneros. The tasting room is located in an 1850s farmhouse and the wine is the Cline Cellars Cashmere 2008. This disease is not reserved for just women. 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. Alcohol: 13.0%

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.

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. To do so, I will have to taste, I mean drink, more wines that I never tried or wines I just never liked. So, to start off the new year I opened one of my least favorite wines, Zinfandel.

While visiting Damiani Wine Cellars on Seneca Lake this past spring I tasted an excellent Syrah and I was sold. 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. 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 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. Such was the case with one of the two wines received from Martellotto Wines. Now Cabs I have no problem with.

We tasted some of their reds and brought home a nice Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. From Lamoreaux we went on to visit Wagner Vineyards, Penquin Bay Winery, Red Newt Cellars and Atwater Estate Vineyards on the east side of Seneca Lake before heading up the west side. We were able to visit 16 of the 30 participating wineries.

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.

So I'm not going to start filling my cellar with this stuff. The Antinori growers and wine makers were amongst the very first to blend Tuscan Sangiovese with the non-native grapes Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Tignanello contains about 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. Yes, I drank a Super-Tuscan, and I loved it. Not so.

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. Can't seem to find a Finger Lakes Riesling I don't like. have to say his timing was impeccable. g/L pH: 2.93

Tonight I added another favorite place to eat in Syracuse, Joey's Italian Restaurant. Shirley and I have been dining here for the last 10 years and it seems that the food just keeps getting better and better. Best of all is the fabulous and always changing wine list. The only downside is the lack of New York wines on the list and no NY reds.

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.

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.

no sooner sat down on Friday when he brought out a Glenora Wine Cellars Gewurztraminer. Glenora Wine Cellars has been producing award winning wines in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State for more than 32 years. Of course, the lounge is owned by my son and his fiance and has become our regular hang out since opening one year ago.

When he said, “the worst thing you could do is die with a full cellar,” the room burst into laughter and a smattering of applause. note the appellations of the six right bank wines since they are mostly Merlot based as opposed to the Cabernet-based wines from the Medoc. The air practically buzzed with anticipation. Pavie, St. Emilion.

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.

The winner was; Row House Cellars White Table Wine NV, brought home from a recent visit to the White Springs Winery in Geneva NY. believe this is the first year of Row House Cellars. Alright, here's my dilemma or at least one of them. Tonight Shirley and daughter Pam are making 'halupkies' for dinner. That only added to the dilemma.

Tonight I dug into my modest wine vault and found a Ravines Wine Cellars , Cabernet Franc 2007. There comes a time when you believe that a certain wine just can't get any better. hope I never get to that point in my lifetime. have my favorite Finger Lakes wineries and my favorite Finger Lakes wines. Such is the case today! It has! Great Buy!

According to the website, "A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon , this right-bank inspired blend shows high-toned aromas of blackberry, black raspberry and bitter chocolate." Tags: Cellar Selection USA 2006 3 stars Napa Valley Just make sure you pay for it on the way out.

Our first stop was at Damiani Wine Cellars. short ride north of Damiani is the Red Newt Cellars. There I tasted more reds and found an interesting blend 'Viridescens', a bordeaux style blend of Cab Franc, Cab/Sauv and Merlot. put this stop first because it is definitely my favorite New York winery. The first was a must do.

Instead of drinking crisp sauvignon blanc and dry Mosel in poorly air conditioned rented apartments I’ve been opening cabernets and merlots which I briefly cool off in the fridge. Just last night we opened a Robert Sinskey 2005 Los Carneros Merlot ** that was nicely textured and tart. Flights are delayed. Could this be right?"

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 I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I haven't been overly impressed with the 2005 Bordeaux I've tasted to date.

Last year, on the Cayuga Wine Trail, I finally found a few very nice reds and this past year discovered a new Finger Lakes winery that is producing some very excellent reds, the Damiani Wine Cellars. The wine is a bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, but more of a medium body and a bit fruity.

2001 Cullen Wines Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Margaret River. 1995 Cullen Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, Margaret River. 1998 Petaluma Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot. 2005 Howard Park Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc, Great. Yes, it’s 249 bottles of wine on the wall! Valley.

The 2008 Monte Bello will (probably) be made from just cabernet sauvignon and merlot for the first time in twenty-five years. Difficult to compare to recent vintages (which have all included at least some cabernet franc or petit verdot) this is less flamboyant than the 2006 and 2007, and will benefit from extended cellaring.

Jean-Michel Cazes of Chateau Lynch Bages ran the operations, which included upgrading the winemaking as well as overseeing a renovation the cellars and the chateau. Rivalries and conflicts simmer throughout the world. At least one was resolved peacefully last week in a historic vertical tasting of the wines of the two Pichons.

From 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 4% Petite Verdot,5 % Cabernet Franc.,5% Tags: Cellar Selection 2004 2 stars USA Central California 3 stars Ridge Vineyards 2007 Sonoma Napa Valley Ridge Vineyards Z-List Spring shipment included the 2007 Geyserville, East Bench, and Paso Robles zinfandels.

Varietals grown and produced include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petite Sirah." Tags: Cellar Selection USA Corrections 2005 Napa Valley 4 stars Warning: This is a knock your ass to the floor wine. You will be tempted to drink the whole bottle in one sitting. That would be a mistake. Deep and brooding; virtually opaque. Try not to.

This included eschewing some major wineries, including Atalon, Cakebread, Diamond Creek, Franciscan Estate, Freemark Abbey, Grgich Hills Estate, Heitz Wine Cellars, Saintsbury, and Silver Oak Cellars. Sean Larkin is producing exceptional cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot (on the Jack Larkin label). didn’t even try.

Charmail **, a 2005 Mondavi Napa Valley Merlot, 2000 Ch. The Mondavi 2005 Merlot, which we had opened the night before but left half-full, uncovered, had already spoiled. Emilion Grand Cru, displayed strong but round, dry tannins, with mint and pine on the back end, and I would have fingered it for a Heitz Cellars Napa Valley.

They are all pretty much blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot. Some are Cabernet Sauvignon based (meaning the majority of the blend is Cab) and some are Merlot. Ah, the Holidays. New York is full of festivities and gatherings and friends and family. Speaking of the perfect gift what about wine. promise.

Quilceda Creek, for example, releases its proprietary cabernet sauvignon and merlot in January, and its estate vineyard cabernet sauvignon (the "Galitzine Vineyard") and its second label "Columbia Valley Red Wine" in August. Most of the cults aren't even bottled yet when they are purchased as futures, and this fact might give you the "blues."

Some are Good Values , others are Cellar Selections , all are American. Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Merlot 2004 ** a very good merlot with blueberry notes and solid body that can be had for under $20 Bryce Vineyard Pinot Noir 2004 * ripe and succulent but with sufficient acidity to hold it all together. But more on that, later.

Those were a Seavey cabernet and a Hansell chardonnay I purchased at Scotto's Wine Cellar nearby before we left. NV Concha y Toro Reservado Merlot C.O. Mexico is a difficult place to find a good bottle of wine. I've listed what we tasted, below, in no particular order. My advice on traveling to Mexico: Do what we did. drink beer. 

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 opened up very nicely after a few hours, but never really showed the complexity and big fruit of the 2004 Merlot. had never even been to the estate.

Cellar for 2 years and enjoy for the next decade. Kapcsandy State Lane Vineyard "Estate Cuvee" 2005 This is the estate blend - that is, the third wine from this property after the "State Lane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon" which serves as the flagship wine and the "Roberta's Reserve," a merlot based blend. love their events. Very fine.

Now out of the cellar and away from the barrels I get to taste the Lenz Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 from the bottle. Eric said that he added some "Old Vines" Merlot to this Cab to inject some black fruit into the flavor profile for more complexity. The grapes' response to that much sun is to produce pigment.

its cellar. They will be adding Petit Verdot and Merlot (both fermented separately) to the Cab later to help fill up the tannin structure. I have to admit I was intrigued at the prospect of visiting the inner sanctum of a winery. Our first taste is the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon which is 93% Cab and 7% Petit Verdot.

Made from 85% Cabernet Sauvignon aging in French oak barrels for 18 months, then 15% Merlot added to the final bottled blend. This rich deep rose colored Cabernet from Napa , California is full-bodied, clean and smooth. On the nose wafts chocolate, oak and herb. Extremely concentrated and complex with an alcohol content of 14.9%

This bottle was purchased for me in Tuscany on release and was stored in my cellar since. I'd always enjoyed Argiano's wines, and I was disappointed to learn that the brunellos had - just maybe - been doctored with cabernet, merlot, or syrah. But even if that was true, this was just too good to ignore.

Also used in the wines/blends was Tempranillo, Carignan, Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah and Tinta del Pais (which I learned is really just another name for Tempranillo). It isn't a wine to be cellared, but its forest berries and nice structure made it a very nice quaffer, especially at $9 a bottle. But I found out today. It is in Spain.

Some young Bordeux (a red wine blend generally containing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and up to 3 other "Bordeaux varietals") can be so acidic & tannic that one really needs to wait as many as 10 years or more before it softens enough to be palatable. What is better, an old wine or a young wine? Up to your personal preference.

After the deBord Attack » Meet the Sean Hannity of the Wine World May 13, 2008 [link] I wish on Mr. Matt, nothing else in his cellar but Au Bon Climat, Flora Springs, Joseph Phelps, Far Niente and Ridge. If you can find any, try Alain Chabanons Les Boissieres or the Petit Merle (mostly merlot). Commentary to follow. Comments ".weird

There was also a Merlot, Cab, and then 4 zinfandels. Their 2004 cabernet which is actually a Bordeaux blend of 76% Cabernet, 18% merlot, 4% Petit Verdot & 2% cab franc. The wine is then kept in the winery cellar for 18 months before being released. tried to get down a "bug juice" of sorts that was simply awful. Great stuff!

Ben Hagan, one of the wine buyers at Slope Cellars in Park Slope, Brooklyn recommends (Slope Cellars prices listed) : Whites: 2006 Caves de Saumur Saumur Les Pouches, $13, LVDH Imports (100% Chenin Blanc). Reds: 2005 Chateau la Rame, $13, Rosenthal Imports (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot). range. Yup, it costs over $1.50

We had some Merlot & Cab from both a regular series and a reserve one. So off to Chase Wine Cellars to visit my (new) friend Jeff Blaum. From Chase Cellars I called the people of The Terraces Winery. Another blend was the 2005 "Vicarious red blend" by Modus Operandi that was 75% Cab, 20% Petit Verdot & 5% merlot.

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. alcohol. We are in the $12 range.

tasted some nice Chardonnays by Foxglove/ Varner Wines , L'Angevin , DuMol and Neiman cellars. Drew Neiman of Neiman Cellars is someone I had not met before, but whom I engaged in conversation as I noticed a wine I was familiar with on his table. But now, my long overdue summary of the wines I was able to try at the Polaner tasting.

went with the 2002 Domaine des Baumaurd Coteaux du Layon Clos du Sainte Catherine , $28 on release, imported by Ex Cellars Wine Agency. GW Bush - 2000 Yellow Tail Merlot. The other night Alice Feiring stopped by for a glass of wine. That's right, Alice Feiring! What do you pour for Alice Feiring? think so. Enough said. Enough said.

It may need a little time to cellar? Eric Baugher (left) Sean McBride (right) holding bottles of 2006 and 2007 Monte Bello. traveled down to Wasihngton D.C. April 12 for the Twenty-third California Futures Tasting at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, featuring wines from 48 producers' 2006 vintage, plus a number of additional samples. Awesome.

I'm on my way home and I can't think of a reason not to get those two bottles of 2003 Seavey out of the cellar - they are just. Philippe Melka is Seavey's blue chip flying rainmaker - I wonder if he's necessary.These are all "full throttle" expressions of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. calling to me.

The Muri-Gries Estate & Monastery Wine Cellar (how would you like to be the person to answer the phone at that place?) The 5 varietals used in this blend were Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Merlot (30%), Lagrein (30%), Petit Verdot (5%) and Cab Franc (5%). I was fortunate to be able to attend the Alto Adige Grand Tasting this afternoon.