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Wines
of the Week: Cabernet from the USA
Cabernet
is still king. Even with all the new trends of blends and the
rising popularity of other grape varieties, Cab remains on top.
With so many choices out there, here's a little guidance for
a handful of them from the good old USA. Cheers and enjoy!
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Kenwood
2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Kenwood
Grape(s): 90%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec, &
2% Cabernet Franc
Region: Sonoma County, California
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
A combination of blackberries, currants, and black cherries
meets hints of toasty oak, brown spice, and dried herbs
on the nose. Flavors of bramble berry and dark cherry
come together among notes of herbs, barrel spice, and
vanilla on the palate. Much less fruit driven than almost
any Cab in its price range, fans of an old world style
should check it out.
Rating: 89 |
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Chateau
Ste. Michelle "Indian Wells" 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Chateau Ste. Michelle
Grape(s): 88%
Cabernet Sauvignon & 12% Syrah
Region: Washington, USA
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
A bouquet of black cherry, blackberry, spice, and bacon
rises up from a glass. Dark cherries, plums, and cassis
flavors intermingle among suggestions of game, cocoa,
and spice on the palate. Offering good balance for a Cab
under $15, if you like a more robust style (instead of
lush and fruity), this is a bargain.
Rating: 90 |
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Tuck
Beckstofer "75" 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Tuck Beckstofer
Grape(s): 100%
Cabernet
Region: California
Year:
2016
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
Blackberry, strawberry and red currant aromas mingle among
suggestions of toasty oak, butterscotch, and spice on
the nose. The palate presents with flavors of blackberries
and strawberries that flow into expressions of toasty
oak, butterscotch, and earth. Polished tannins and welcoming
fruit make this an approachable Cab.
Rating: 88 |
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Educated
Guess 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Educated Guess
Grape(s): 84%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, &
1% Cabernet Franc
Region: Napa Valley, California
Year:
2016
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
On the nose, blackberries, cherries, and currants play
among nuances of dark chocolate and barrel spice. Blackberry,
black cherry, and plum flavors flow into elements of cocoa,
toasty oak, and clove on the palate. With plush tannins
and welcoming fruit, it's not a Cab for a steak but it
will work nicely when you serve meat loaf.
Rating: 89 |
By
Jason Barlow
Other
Related Links:
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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*Wines
rated with a "+" need
a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will
do so over the coming years
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