My favorite wine of the evening was the DiamAndes Gran Reserva 2007, the first wine produced by this promising vineyard with the help of Michel Rolland: it is a blend of 70% Malbec and 30% Cabernet. Bruno himself poured me a glass of the 2010 Malbec, and one of the first things I noticed was that it immediately expressed the potential to age.

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

2006 Clarendon Hills Astralis Vineyard Shiraz (Syrah), McLaren Vale. 2006 Wendouree Shiraz/Malbec, Clare Valley. 1996 Clarendon Hills Astralis Vineyard Shiraz (Syrah), McLaren Vale. 2005 Château Mouton Rothschild Cabernet/Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot, Pauillac. 2002 Castagna Genesis Syrah, Beechworth.

And two wines in their appellation series that are of interest are the Carmel "old vine" Carignan & the Carmel Petit Sirah.  Those are: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot & Malbec. I'm sorry for the delay in writing this post.  I have gotten MANY requests for my Rosh Hashana suggestions. 

Their 2004 cabernet which is actually a Bordeaux blend of 76% Cabernet, 18% merlot, 4% Petit Verdot & 2% cab franc. Although Ridge is known for their Zins they do make other very fine wines and we were started off with a Chardonnay and finished with a Cab/Merlot blend and finally a Petit Syrah. Serious pretension.

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.

At a wholesale price of about $150/bottle the 2005 Gemstone Cabernet (blended with 6% Petit Verdot) was another BIG NAPA CAB. The 2005 Altus Napa Cab was blended with 5% Malbec, Petit Verdot & Merlot (3 of the Bordeaux varietals) and was aged in 80% new medium toasted oak (a high percentage). don't know.

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. Stainless steel fermentation, then 14-16 months in oak casks. a glass. alcohol

Merlot, Cab, Syrah - been there done that. lighter wine than a Cab, merlot or Syrah, Barbera is said to be the most (or second most) planter varietal in Italy. No, not the Petit Sirah/Zin blend - another people know is a favorite of mine. This was the 5th year that this event was held and there seem to be more wines each year.