Category Archives: Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends

Les Sentius, Celler Joan Simó, Porrera, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2009, 15.5% abv, 11 Euros

This version of the Priorat comes from the Porrera celler of Joan Simó (the celler complete with wall-mounted sundial is left), but was given to me by a UK wine buyer who was at Hotel-Hostal Sport in Falset when we ate … Continue reading

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Viatge al Priorat, Celler Joan Simó, Porrera, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 14.5% abv, 15 Euros

This youthful version of the Priorat comes from the Porrera celler of Joan Simó, but was given to me by a UK wine buyer who was at Hotel-Hostal Sport in Falset when we ate dinner there. As he was leaving, … Continue reading

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Chateau Musar, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, 1996, 13% abv.

To say Lebanese wines are some of the oldest in the world isn’t a stretch – there are production records dating back to the 8th century BC. When Gaston Hochar decided to reinvigorate the fine wine industry and increase the quality … Continue reading

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Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder Winery, Napa Valley, 2011, 14% abv

While at Trader Joe’s last summer on a cross-border run, I did a scan for the most expensive red wine I could buy and this was the one- a whopping $20.  “Go big or go home”, I thought. I went … Continue reading

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Pacific Breeze Urban Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, New Westminster, BC, 2009, 14.9% abv

Ask most Canadian winemakers about CIC wines and they become rather tetchy; after all, it’s not as if there isn’t already a lot of product floating about here on the local market.  What, we have to import more?! Ask most … Continue reading

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Wayne Gretzky Estates, No 99, Cabernet Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA, Ontario, Canada, 2013, 12.5% abv, $15.95

I’d forgotten how cold Ottawa is in the winter time.  Chilly.  Icy.  Brrrr. But alcohol is warming, so the first thing I did after I made it to my hotel was make a beeline for the closest wine store.  Of course, … Continue reading

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Canoe Ridge, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington, 2010, 13.9% abv, US $20

I’m sure you’ve either had Canoe Ridge before or seen it on a shelf or restaurant menu. Canoe Ridge is one of Washington State’s largest wineries and is located in Horse Heaven Hills AVA, just north of the moderating influence of the … Continue reading

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Gillmore, Cabernet Sauvignon, Old Vines, Loncomilla Valley, Chile, 2009, 14.9% abv, C$16

If all Cabernet Sauvignon tasted like this, I would drink it every day, all day long and twice a day on Thursdays. And here is a double whammy – if you visit the Gillmore website, they play my favourite piece of … Continue reading

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Viader, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, 2001, 14% abv, US$80

The first thing Doug said when I met him was ‘I only drink vodka and Californian wines’.   Who says that?!  Then he sent me a bottle of Viader.  Now at least I understand the method of his madness – … Continue reading

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Salentein Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina, 2012, 14.5% abv

Argentina’s vineyards are some of the highest in the world – most start at about 600m and can go as high as 1,600m. Almost all of them are on the country’s western strip bordering the Andes mountains toward Chile and … Continue reading

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