Category Archives: Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends
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
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
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
Il Fauno Di Arcanum, IGT, Toscana, Italia, 2008, 14% abv.
Oh happy day – a Supertuscan wine from the Castelnuovo Beradenga region of Chianti Classico that has been declassified to IGT status because it’s a blend of 62 Merlot, 23 Cab Sauvignon, 8 Cab Franc, 6 Sangiovese and 1% Petit … Continue reading
Lillet Rouge, Podensac, Gironde, Bordeaux, France, NV
Imagine you’re at the Le Mans 24 Hour Race in France. Oh look – here I am! What to drink? A little apéritif served by a handsome bartender will do nicely. Meet Lillet Rouge – a blend of Merlot and … Continue reading
Chateau Maison Blanche, Médoc, Cru Bourgeois, France, 2009, 14% abv, C$29
There’s no two ways about it. Bordeaux is confusing. What does Cru Bourgeois mean? You’ve probably heard about the Premier through Cinquième Crus – the famous First through Fifth Growths. The Premier level includes renowned chateaux Lafite, Latour and Margaux, … Continue reading
Craggy Range Single Vineyard, Te Kahu, Hawkes Bay, Gimblett Gravels, New Zealand, 2010, 13.5% abv.
Gimblett Gravels – try saying that 10 times over after a few glasses of wine. The area is renowned for its Bordeaux blends. Located in Hawkes Bay on the eastern side of New Zealand’s North Island, Gimblett Gravels is a … Continue reading
Vasse Felix, Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Australia, 14.5% abv, 2010, C$41
Margaret River, part of the Western Australia zone, is one of that country’s most isolated wine regions. Located furthest west on the continent, it is about 240 km south of Perth. It’s a stunningly beautiful land and combines great surfing, … Continue reading
Mission Hill Family Estate, Compendium, Okanagan Valley, 2008, 14% abv, $50
At 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, this classic Bordeaux blend or Meritage (rhymes with ‘heritage’) has been hand harvested and sorted and gravity fed into small French oak fermenting barrels. After fermenting for four … Continue reading
Trine, Pepperbridge Winery, Meritage, Walla Walla AVA, Washington, 2009, 14.1% abv
Purchased back in March 2013 during a trip to Walla Walla and a visit to the winery, this wine made an appearance over Canadian Thanksgiving with friends, family and a chilli dinner. Clear and bright, ruby turning to deep purple … Continue reading
