Wine on the Radio - June 11, 2004

Cabernet Grape Talk                          Recommendations

Cabernet Sauvignon is often called the king of grapes.

Some folks wonder what makes it so special.

One big reason is the way it captures the sense of the place where it was grown.  It's sort of like heritage in a bottle.

Cabernet is rich and deep in color.  And the scent?  A cedar chest or even a box of chocolates.  Sometimes the dark and dense fruitiness can even remind you of black currants or blueberries.

It loves food . . . especially grilled meats like lamb and beef and its natural acidity blends perfectly with the higher fat content of those meats.

With all of those features, it was cabernet that thrust California wines into the bit time.

Cabs are among the priciest wines in the world but you don't need a second mortgage to find some delicious examples.  Just ask your wine person.  Whether it's for dinner tonight or to put away for your grand kids, there's a cab for every pocketbook.

Recommendations:  If you're interested in Cabernet Sauvignon for "everyday, here's a mixed case to get you started and help you find the style you like, all for under $25 per bottle (prices approximate). All are widely distributed and generally available.

Australia
Penfold's Bin 407 $25
Rosemount Estate "Diamond" $10

Chile
Los Vascos "Reserve" $12
Montes "Alpha" $15

France
Chateaux Beau-Site St. Estephe $20
Chateaux Coufran $15

United States
Gallo of Sonoma $12
Kenwood $15
St. Francis $15
Chateau Ste. Michelle $15
Estancia $12
Franciscan Oakville Estate $25

If you are interested in more special, limited production or collectable labels of Cabernet Sauvignon check below or just send us an email and we'll be happy to recommend some at any price you want. Click here to contact us and we'll help you . . .

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More Cabernet Sauvignon - All Prices Approximate

Columbia Crest 2000 Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon $12
Columbia Valley, Washington
Winemaker's Notes
"This is a deep, dark wine with black cherry, blueberry and mocha aromas woven with cedar and toast"

Ch. Ste. Michelle 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon $15
Columbia Valley, Washington
Winemaker's Notes
This Cabernet Sauvignon always scores high on the value to price index, and the 2001 vintage is one of the best in recent memory

Dynamite Vineyards 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon $15
North Coast, California
Winemaker's Notes
This wine displays aromas of cedar, ripe currents, spice, and leather with a soft, silky finish and a lingering aftertaste

Beaulieu - BV 2001 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon $16
Napa Valley , California
Winemaker's Notes
Dark ruby-black color. Lovely herbal, black cherry, plum, cassis and dark chocolate aromas. Medium full-bodied, with lush berry, anise and jam flavors, balanced by sweet lush fruit and supple tannins

Geyser Peak 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon $17
Sonoma County, California
Winemaker's Notes
Berry and cassis cabernet fruit character enhanced by cedary vanillin oak

Ch. Souverain 2000 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $20
Sonoma County , California
Winemaker's Notes
This Cabernet Sauvignon is always a great value from California . An open aroma dominated by dark, blackberry and currant-like fruit

Franciscan 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon $26
Napa Valley , California
Winemaker's Notes
From the awesome 2001 vintage! This powerful Cabernet Sauvignon captures the essence of Napa Valley 's Oakville

Atalon 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon $28
Napa Valley, California
Winemaker's Notes
From prized vineyards in the Oakville, Rutherford and Mount Veeder appellations of the Napa Valley, this medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon is well integrated with succulent red and black fruit flavors, dash of white pepper, dried herbs, leather and smoky oak notes

Raymond 2000 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $30
Napa Valley , California
Winemaker's Notes
"A lovely wine, in the classic Raymond style, soft, voluptuous, balanced and ripe. Not a blockbuster, just a beautiful sip, with cassis and blackcurrant flavors and gentle, complex tannins. A success for this difficult vintage."
- Wine Enthusiast

Hess 2000 Collection Cabernet Sauvignon $33
Napa Valley , California
Winemaker's Notes
Dark garnet red, with an aroma of blueberries, raspberries, cherries, and cassis

Silverado 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon $34
Napa Valley, California
Winemaker's Notes
A good value in scrumptious Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, with forward fruit of crushed berries, vanilla, cedar, bay leaf and cocoa in the aroma

St. Clement 2000 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $35
Winemaker's Comments
Delicate notes of plum, black currant, tobacco and leather lead the nose of this wine into aromas of cassis and leather surrounded by hints of wet stone. An elegant and medium-bodied entry begins to tempt the palate with flavors of cola, cocoa and caramel. Fine grained tannins surround notes of black truffle and blueberries that continue throughout a long roasty finish

Dominus 2000 Napanook Vineyard $35
Napa Valley , California
Winemaker's Notes
Napanook, a historic vineyard that dates back to 1836, is located at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains in Yountville, Napa Valley.  The Napanook wine is blended from blocks in the vineyard that were carefully selected for their lively fruit, soft tannins and early maturing characteristic

Concha y Toro 2000 Don Melchor Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $40
Chile , South America
Winemaker's Notes
"Terrific personality, with prune, cocoa, loam, mineral, dark currant, blackberry, tar and sanguine flavors that don't quit. Well structured, with fine balance and harmony already and a very long finish."
- Wine Spectator "Highly Recommended"

Robert Mondavi 2000 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $110

Napa Valley , California
Winemaker's Notes
This 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is the first vintage made in our new To Kalon Cellar and represents our highest values - our finest vineyards, our respect for both tradition an innovation, and our unwavering passion for excellence

Caymus 2001 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon $140
Napa Valley , California
Winemaker's Notes
This bottling marks the 24th vintage that we have designated a Special Selection at Caymus. Supersaturated deep ruby color. Aromas of ripe, vanilla-tinged black currants and black cherries, roasted coffee beans and exotic spices