At their winery the host what seems to be lovely wine pairing events with hors d’oeurves and produce several varieties of wine: Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay, Semillon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot, Syrah and Grenache. Hermanus is a coastal town about in the most southern part of S. link].

It is planted with a majority of Malbec and some Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot as well as Chardonnay and Viognier that will be used for futurewines. Do you recall the California gold rush from your fourth grade history class? The 130?hectare Argentina News argentina brune laplane diamandes

Appellation: Spain Inaugural Release: 10,500 cases Blend: 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 18% Syrah, 8% Petit Verdot, 8% Tempranillo, 8% Grenache and 8% Graciano Alcohol: 13.6%. Tonight I am finishing up my latest 3L box wine from the Octavin Home Wine Bar, Artisan Wines.

Clovis Point 2007 Archaeology 56% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Syrah, whew! When Steve Bate drove to the North Fork of Long Island for the first time, he was surprised at the working farms and vineyards in operation there. million per year. Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5%

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. 1996 Clarendon Hills Astralis Vineyard Shiraz (Syrah), McLaren Vale. 2005 Château Mouton Rothschild Cabernet/Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot, Pauillac. 2008 Sutton Grange Winery Fairbank Rosé Syrah/Cabernet/Merlot, Bendigo. Day One. Day Two.

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. The 2007 Lytton Estate Syrah/Grenache ** is also tight, almost light, almost too searing, with blue fruits and tons of tannin.

Another blend from Il Borro of 75% Syrah and 25% Sangiovese reflects a subtle nose of red cherries, currants and leather, with hints of vanilla and a finish of spices, namely cinnamon and cloves. ??The This Chardonnay has a pale yellow color, fruity rich aromas of apple and peach with notes of floral & lemon. alcohol content.??

They are all pretty much blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot. Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan, Cinsaut, these are the most popular grapes of Southern France and vignerons (French winemakers) play around with them in the cellars to create their own identities. Ah, the Holidays. promise.

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. 

Of interest is that the Murcia region, in addition to cultivating the popular Monastrell, had wines made with Cabernet Sauvignon and is increasing its plantings of Syrah and Petit Verdot, two varietals that are apparently doing well there. What a difference a little marketing & the word FREE can do.

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.

The wines that stood out though were their Syrahs. enjoyed the 2003 Havens Syrah but mentioned to Connie that I thought the nose was a little closed. She proceeded to open a 2000 Syrah that they recently re-released and it was great. Upon arriving we started with a very nice rose' made from Zin with a little Syrah.

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.

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). Zinfandels and 1 Syrah.

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. 

And finally the Peay 2005 "La Bruma" Estate Syrah, which I was told came from a very cool Syrah site, was also not a fruit bomb like some of the other Syrah's I tried. The 2003 "1er Etage" Cab Franc was blended with 2% Petit Verdot and had very subtle green notes but was was nice as well. Great stuff.

No Cab Franc, Petit Verdot or even any Syrah (shiraz). I just got back from a fabulous impromptu Italian wine & pizza tasting with several of my wine tasting group members (and some guests/possible new members??). wine lovers who have sacrificed a good livelihood for one we infatuate over. They were not Bordeaux style wines.

Well ladies and gentlemen, the results are in. will be copying a list of wines & their scores from Israeli Wine Critic Daniel Rogov's "Wine & Food Forum".  I am waiting for my physical copy of the issue to arrive before I comment specifically.  More comments later.  Without further ado, the scores.

Probably because Cabernet based wines and Syrahs are not my passion. hope she'll let me slide with my blend of 48% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Franc, and then Cabernet Sauvignon and petit Verdot making up the balance. Hard to believe it's already Wine Blogging Wednesday time again. West coast wines are daunting to me, I must say.