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Posts Tagged Cabernet Sauvignon

Robert Mondavi 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Feb 23

Posted by greatWineSource in Wine of the Day | Comments off

What is in a rating?

The other night I purchased a Robert Mondavi Napa Valley 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon for our Bunco game. The store indicated that Wine Enthusiast rated it a 91. Wine Advocate gives it a 90.

Wine Enthusiast’s rating scale indicates that 90-94 — Excellent. Extremely well made and highly recommended.
Wine Advocate’s rating scale indicates that 90-95 — Outstanding; exceptional complexity and character.

I tried the Mondavi 2006 and while it was good, it didn’t wow me. I expected for a rating of 90, 91 that it would be complex with a myriad of deep flavors and aromas.

According to the winemaker, it is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Syrah.

“Dark and densely concentrated, expressive aromas of blackberry, currants and subtle notes of thyme and cinnamon lead to flavors of blackberry, black plum and a bit of black olive. Knit together with big, mouth-coating tannins, this is an engagingly well-structured, bold-statement wine.”

Wine Advocate notes that: “Slightly superior to the 2005, the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa possesses a dark ruby/purple color as well as a creme de cassis, spice box, and floral-scented bouquet, and a medium to full-bodied finish. A strong effort, it should drink nicely for 12-15 years.”

Maybe it does need to age more because for me (and another Bunco guest), it did not have the complexity and that we long for in Cabernets. The tannins were softer than preferred (I prefer very firm). I noted subtle hints of berries, and a medium finish, but there was very little expressive about this wine. It was only $19.99 at Festival Foods, so for a Cabernet in that price range it was very acceptable.

Would I buy it again? For $19.99, perhaps, but not for anything more than that.

Next up, Benziger 2006 Sonoma County Cabernet. Rated by Wine Enthusiast at 90 points, it will be interesting to see which wine I prefer.

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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Wine of the Day – Sangiovese

Jan 19

Posted by greatWineSource in Italy, Reds, Wine of the Day | Comments off

Wine of the Day for January 19, 2010

Sangiovese

Sangiovese grape  

Whenever I talk about this wine, I remind tasting guests that Sangiovese is the dominant grape in Chianti … which leads us to remember “Silence of the Lambs” and the famous “fava beans” scene, generally not something one likes to remember when having fun at a wine tasting, but it does add an element of interest.

Origin

Sangiovese originates in central Italy and is believed to date back to 600 BC. The name is derived from Latin and means the “blood of Jove”.

Style

Sangiovese is a red grape varietal and is affected even more than other grapes by soil and climate as well as the fermentation and aging techniques. Traditionally, Sangiovese is aged in large oak tanks. These tanks are neutral and serve only to concentrate the wine through evaporation and allow the slow absorption of oxygen to create more complexity through chemical reaction.

Newer oak techniques involve introducing oak chips and blending into the aging process. In the 1970’s, winemakers began creating what is called “Super Tuscans” blending Sangiovese with non-Italian varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, and introducing these newer or modern oak treatments into the production process.

Wines made from Sangiovese

Sangiovese is the dominant grape in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano produced in Montepulciano, Italy – at least 70% of this wine must be Sangiovese. Chianti must be produced from 80% Sangiovese and Brunello di Montalcino is produced from a clone of Sangiovese in a style that provides for long-term aging.

Characteristics

Wines made from Sangiovese vary greatly based on region, production and aging. In general, younger wines emit fresh, fruity flavors of strawberry with hints of spice, but when aged transforms aromas and flavors to cherry, oak and leather.

Pairing

Sangiovese pairs very well with pizza, spicy pasta dishes and tomato based pastas. I’ve paired it with Caprese Salad and it was delicious.

I’m including a recipe for an Italian Pesto Burger to help you savor and imagine how this fabulous wine will pair with simple and fun meals for any occasion.

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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Wine of the Day – Sauvignon Blanc

Jan 15

Posted by greatWineSource in California, France, Whites, Wine of the Day | Comments off

Wine of the Day for January 15, 2010

Sauvignon Blanc

White Chicken Chili — that’s what I made for lunch today. At my full-time job at Alternative Solutions in Sheboygan, we had “soup week” where each day someone brought in a different soup. Today, a co-worker and I brought in Chili: she brought in red chili and I brought in White Chicken Chili. So, as I was making it and putting the ingredients together, I was thinking of what wines would pair well with it (I happen to have a few bottles in my overhead bin at work).

Sauvignon Blanc grapesWell, Chenin Blanc will actually pair nicely with White Chicken Chili, and so will a nice light Sauvignon Blanc. Read on for more info on this elegant and adaptable grape and follow through to the end to see what wine will pair well with your red Chilis.

Sauvignon Blanc is an earthy wine, commonly generating aromas of grass, and as mentioned in previous blogs, is used as a blending wine with Sémillon to create a Meritage or Sauterne wine.

Sauvignon Blanc originated in Bordeaux and its name refers to “savage white”, so when you drink a Sauvignon Blanc, you can picture yourself as enjoying a wild white wine, which is one of the reasons I’m going to enjoy it with the White Chicken Chili. Researchers have recently discovered, and this is amazing to me, that Sauvignon Blanc – a white grape – is a parent grape along with Cabernet Franc to Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wines from this widely-planted grape should be fresh and crisp, with grassy aromas and citrus flavors. Other foods you can pair with this bright wine are shellfish, summer salads, Havarti cheese and I like it with green olives.

Alternative Solutions is a fantastic company, developing software solutions for small to medium property and casualty insurance companies. They are so supportive of my wine business and have often had wine tastings in the office. When we have food weeks or festive lunches, we crack open a bottle of wine or beer (wine for me, thank you, even with a last name of ‘Brewer’). I will be enjoying a Sauvignon Blanc with the White Chicken Chili and those who will enjoy the red Chili could pair it with Zinfandel or Sagrantino de Montefalco. What is Sagrantino di Montefalco you ask? You’ll just have to check back on another day.

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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Wine of the Day – Malbec

Jan 14

Posted by greatWineSource in France, Reds, Wine of the Day | 1 Comment

Wine of the Day for January 14, 2010

Malbec

I was approached this morning by a member in my networking group who wanted to find a way to learn about wines and know what the right wines are to select with foods. Well, of course, I let her know that my wine tastings are a fabulous way to do that AND have fun at the same time – visit: www.greatWineSource.com\wine_tastings. I also recommended that she visit this blog daily. We are all so busy, but this is a quick way for the new wine enthusiast to learn a little bit about wines, aromas, flavors, and food pairings.

On to the Malbec …

Malbec When you think of Malbec, what region of the world do you think of? I think of Argentina. Well, did you know that it actually originated in Burgundy, France? This dark, inky wine was one of the six grapes blended into the red Bordeaux, and is still grown in France, but in the Cahors region in Southwest France.

I imagine Argentina when enjoying Malbec because Argentinean Malbecs have a certain romance surrounding them, producing such beautiful, robust wines, while remaining lovely and enjoyable for the newer wine enthusiast.

In Argentina, it is generally made in the style of Cabernet Sauvignon (and can be blended with). Malbec is more approachable when young, with somewhat softer tannins than Cabernet, but still retains structure and body.

You may enjoy your Malbec with aromas and flavors of leather, blackberry, chocolate, with subtle hints of flowers and herbs. Interesting foods to pair with this favorite are bread dipped in olive oil with garlic, chile peppers and cilantro (bringing in a bit of sassiness to match this sexy wine); casseroles, anti-pasta and grilled steaks (really steaks and most red wines are a delicious combination).

As a shout-out to Kelly, if you need to furnish your office, hotel, hospital, restaurant, see Kelly Nething, Lakeshore Business Interiors: www.lakeshorebi.com, 800-236-8497 (be sure to ask for Kelly and tell her Kathy Brewer sent you!)

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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Wine of the Day – Cabernet Sauvignon

Jan 1

Posted by greatWineSource in California, France, Reds, Wine of the Day | 4 Comments

Wine of the Day for January 1, 2010

Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy New Year everyone! Can you believe another year passed already? I’ll probably still put the “2009” date on my checks and documentation for a few more weeks yet until the “2010” is embedded in my brain (isn’t it funny how that “09” wants to hang around?)

Today I thought I’d share Cabernet Sauvignon as the Wine of the Day. The reason? It’s one of my favorites and it was the wine that my husband and I celebrated with at Little Sweden on New Year’s Eve. We enjoyed a Charles Krug 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, and much to my surprise, my husband drank more of it than I did! Why? We didn’t go out – we’re not one for going out on New Years, and because I forgot to bring my good wine stems, we used the little ones that were in the condo – you know the little Libby style. So, he got about two sips out of a glass, and just kept re-pouring. Luckily it was a very good wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon grape

Cabernet Sauvignon grape

Cabernet Sauvignon is a hybrid offspring of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc (bet you didn’t know that). This gorgeous wine is often blended with other wines to create the Bordeaux style of wine (Bordeaux wines are only produced in France – more on Bordeaux in another WOTD). It is high in tannins (causes bitter taste) so properly aged or decanted Cabernet will be most enjoyable.

Surprisingly, I’ve experienced new wine drinkers at my wine tastings actually finding Cabernet Sauvignon to their liking. This surprised me because Cabernet is a full-bodied dry wine and most new wine drinkers like the lighter sweet wines. But, I believe this is because Cabernet has such an abundance of aromas, fruit flavors and complexity, that it provides the interest on the palate for the newbies.

Aromas and flavors you may experience in different Cabernets: vanilla, molasses, tobacco, black currant, mint, cherry, cassis, and others. It is a wine that generally ages very well. Check with your vintner or wine consultant on the ideal age for your wines.

I love Cabernet on its own, but it is enhanced with proper foods. If you love food with Cabernet, it pairs well with robust meals and foods (venison, lamb, portabello mushrooms). My favorite treat to have with Cabernet (and really any red) is Sartori Bellavitano Reserve Gold. This cheese is without a doubt the best to pair with your full-bodied reds. I also like to pair it with Werther’s Original Caramel Chocolate, Dark with 42% Cacao. You might try it with bitter dark chocolate, but I prefer my chocolate creamy, so highly recommend the Werther’s.

I’ll leave you a toast to close out this post and to ring in the New Year.

May all of your days be blessed, all of your troubles be few, and may you always have great wine and great friends surrounding you. Cheers!

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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