• Cabernet Sauvignon,  California,  Exceptional Red,  Merlot,  Napa

    Exceptional Red

    Taken 2012 Napa Valley Red Wine Taken Wine Company was founded in 2009 when next generation winemakers, Carlo Trinchero and Josh Phelps realized their mutual dream to start their own wine label. Josh and Carlo grew up together in the winegrowing town of St. Helena, in the Napa Valley; wine is in their DNA. The wines are crafted to appeal to the millennial generation in terms of both what’s inside and outside the bottle. The names (Taken, Complicated, and Available) all tie into social media and are relevant to their generation.  The two friends launched their Taken line of wines in 2010, with the tagline, “great wine made by great…

  • Cabernet Sauvignon,  Chile,  Exceptional Red,  Maipo Valley

    Exceptional Red

    Establo 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Humanity Marketing & Branding is a Social Impact Investing Company: “Doing Well by Doing Good” The founder, Michael Gilerman, discovered a huge unmet need in our society and made it his mission to figure out a way he could make a difference.  Michael took his knowledge and experience of the wine industry, teamed up with his friend the renowned Winemaster, Cesar Baeza to create two lines of high quality / affordable wines.  Part of the proceeds is to be donated through their unique “GIVE BACK” program to support nonprofit organizations dedicated to enrich the lives of people with special needs.  Establo introduced two distinct lines of wine:…

  • Cabernet Franc,  Cabernet Sauvignon,  California,  Cellar Selection,  Merlot,  Napa,  Petit Verdot

    Cellar Selection

    Ramey 2009 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Ramey Wine Cellars crafts outstanding quality wines that are both delicate and magnificent and comes from some of the finest vineyards in Napa and Sonoma.  Ramey selects vineyards for their ability to continue producing the highest quality fruit.  David and his wife Carla founded Ramey Wine Cellars in 1996 after spending time at Matanzas Creek, Chalk Hill, Dominus and Rudd.  Ramey Wine Cellars is located in Healdsburg, in the heart of the California wine country.  Ramey’s varietals are basically Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Syrah.  Today I will review their Napa Cabernet. The Ramey Wine Cellars 2009 Napa Valley, consists of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon with small…

  • Cabernet Franc,  Cabernet Sauvignon,  California,  Malbec,  Merlot,  Napa,  Petit Verdot,  Weekend Selection

    Weekend Selection

    Sequoia Grove 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Who would have guessed Napa Valley, a small pioneer community established during the gold rush days would flourish into one of the most prestigious wine growing regions in the world today? Surrounded by its purple hued mountains, Sequoia Grove Winery sits on 22 acres right in the heart of the valley floor in a region referred to as the “Rutherford Bench”. Here the alluvial soil, rich in minerals, combined with the fog from the bay, mingling with the warm inland temperatures create the ideal location to produce Cabernet Sauvignon.  Michael Trujillo, the Director of Winemaking and President, has been with Sequoia Grove since its…

  • Cabernet Franc,  Cabernet Sauvignon,  California,  Exceptional Red,  Merlot,  Napa,  Petit Verdot,  Petite Sirah

    Exceptional Red

    Clos Du Val 2011 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Clos Du Val, French for “small vineyard estate of a small valley,” was founded in 1972 in the now legendary Stags Leap District of Napa Valley by Franco-American entrepreneur John Goelet. After a worldwide search to purchase vineyard properties from which to craft world-class wines, 150 acres in Stags Leap and 180 acres in Carneros were chosen, solidifying Clos Du Val’s iconic stature and formidable place in Napa Valley history. Today, Winemaker Kristy Melton, handcrafts wines to reflect the classic style, finesse and grace Clos Du Val is known for. The Three Graces, Splendor, Mirth and Joy have adorned Clos Du Val’s labels…

  • Cabernet Sauvignon,  California,  Exceptional Red,  Malbec,  Petite Sirah,  Sangiovese,  Sonoma

    Exceptional Red

    Ferrari-Carano 2012 Siena The Ferrari-Carano Winery was founded in 1981 by Don and Rhonda Carano and is located in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley.  If you enjoy pairing food with wine, be sure to visit the Ferrari-Carano website where Rhonda has a number of recipes.  So if you are adventurous and have a passion for good food and wine, then try some of her recipes. I opened the 2012 Siena, which is a blend of Sangiovese, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon.  Deep Ruby color with aromas of red and black fruits and spicy notes.  The palate shows the fruit well as berries and cherries take over with almost a jammy…

  • Cabernet Sauvignon,  California,  Cellar Selection,  Merlot,  Napa

    Cellar Selection

    Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 2010 Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is considered by many one of the “first growths” of Napa and produces celebrated collectible wines from the historic Stags Leap District.  The winery was founded in 1970 at the time Napa Valley was undergoing a rebirth after the lingering effects of prohibition.  During the mid-60’s there were less than 20 wineries at the time this new enthusiasm was entering Napa Valley.  The distinguishing event that put Napa on the map was the famous 1976 Paris Tasting “Judgment of Paris” (click on for Wikipedia link) when their 1973 Cabernet S.L.V won the event.  At this point I would…

  • Cabernet Sauvignon,  California,  Cellar Selection,  Rutherford

    Cellar Selection

    Rubicon Estate 2002 Cask Cabernet Rubicon is the image of what was once the historic Inglenook property located in the heart of the western Rutherford Bench in Napa Valley’s prime Cabernet Sauvignon appellation.  In 1975, Francis and Eleanor Coppola purchased a majority of the Inglenook Estate and introduced the Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery with the plan to revitalize its Cabernet heritage.  In 1978 Coppola’s plan became a reality and launched the first Rubicon vintage that became the Winery’s flagship wine.  Much later in 1995, the Coppolas purchased the remaining part of the property, including the Inglenook Chateau, which restored the Estate to its historic dimensions (I guess he made him an…

  • Cabernet Franc,  Cabernet Sauvignon,  California,  Cellar Selection,  Merlot,  Paso Robles

    Cellar Selection

    Justin 2011 Isosceles In 1981, Justin Baldwin purchased 160 acres in Paso Robles, with the aim of crafting wines that belong in the company of the finest in the world by making world-class Bordeaux-style blends.  Rich in limestone, the soil of Paso Robles produces grapes with intense flavor and great structure, making it a perfect location for JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery.  Limestone “stresses” the vines, producing grapes that fully express their varietal character. Rich dark purple color with aromas of black fruit, spice and a whiff of dusty chocolate.  The wine is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc that spent 24 months in new…

  • Alexander Valley,  Cabernet Sauvignon,  California,  Weekend Selection

    Weekend Selection

    Silver Oak 2010 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon I recently wrote about Silver Oak Cellars having its roots dating back to 1972, see January 6, 2015 review of Silver Oak 1998 Napa Cabernet.  Over time, Silver Oak continued to acquire vineyard land, including the Red Tail and Miraval Vineyards in Alexander Valley and the Soda Canyon Ranch and Jump Rock in Napa Valley.  The winery also developed close relationships with longtime growers in both appellations.  The result is that both the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and the Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon are blends, made from grapes grown in both wineries’ estate vineyards as well as growers’ vineyards in both regions. The…