Summers Andriana’s Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, California, USA 🇺🇸

🍇 Cabernet Sauvignon 77.5%
🍇 Merlot 16.5%
🍇 Petit Verdot 2.1 %
🍇 Petit Sirah 2.1%
🍇 Malbec 1.8%

🧐 Alcohol 14.1%

🍁 My Score 89 Points

🧩 Fruit 67% from Sonoma County and 33% from Napa County
      Oak treatment: 16 months in French oak, 50% new oak

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Very attractive nose with aromas of cherries, wild berries, black currants, violets, leather and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, creamy oak covering the palate with silky tannins and low acidity. The finish is medium length with ripe fruit flavour and oak spices lingering.

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A most interesting blend here. I recall a few years ago, this was 100% Cabernet. It’s definitely a wine with great appeal, beautiful aromatics, well integrated oak, smooth texture and most enjoyable. An uncomplicated Cabernet that goes down easy. Cheers my wine friends 🍷

Paradigm Merlot 2014, Oakville, Napa Valley, California USA 🇺🇸

  

🍇 Merlot 94%

🍇 Cabernet Sauvignon 6%

🧐 Alcohol 14.4%

🍁 My Score 92%

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Gorgeous nose with aromas of blackberries, plums, tart cherries, violets, spices and light cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, lively texture, silky tannins and fresh acidity. The finish is long, dry with lots of spicy cherry flavours lingering.

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Wow! A great Friday treat, from it’s intoxicating nose, bright and lively texture and beautiful length on the finish. We did not decant this wine, however it would be a great idea, as the evening unfolded, this Merlot kept getting better and smoother.  A new addition in the store this week.  Every Thursday I arrive at the store, it’s like Christmas 😀 I am always excited to see what just came in. Now that I know what to expect, another bottle for my cellar, to enjoy same time next year. Cheers my wine friends 🍷

Robert Monday Oakville Cabernet Franc 2014, Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

🍇 Cabernet Franc 80%
🍇 Cabernet Sauvignon 15%
🍇 Malbec 3%
🍇 Merlot 2%

🧐 Alcohol 14.5%

🍁 My Score 92%

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A very attractive nose with aromas of blackberries, blueberries, black currants, camp fire smoke, violets, savoury herbs and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, fantastic mid palate with smooth tannins and balanced acidity. The finish is medium-long, clean with excellent depth of flavours.

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My first time with this Cabernet Franc and what a fantastic wine experience it was. A wine with great aromatics, complex flavours and terrific oak integration. A Cabernet Franc tailor made for Cabernet Sauvignon lovers. In a sea of expensive California wines, this one represents a great value. Need I say, outstanding wine and strongly recommended. Cheers my wine friends 🍷

Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Napa Valley, California, USA

This wine is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Syrah (all Napa Valley fruit) with maturation in French oak barrels (15% new) for 18 months. It was blended, than bottled in July 2012, with alcohol coming in at 14.3%.

 

Classic masculine Cabernet Sauvignon bouquet with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, blackcurrants, tobacco, saddle leather, black olives and espresso notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, dried with robust flavours, low acidity and fine structured tannins. Very good weight and length on the finish with great flavours and a nice tannic grip. This is a very enjoyable well made Cabernet that walks a fine line between power and elegance. Enjoy now or over the next 3-4 years, strongly recommended. Score 90 points. 

 

Purchased May 30, 2013 LCBO Vintages Essential (255513) at $34.95 

Sterling Merlot 2009, Napa Valley, California. USA

 



This wine is blend of 82% Merlot, and in a supporting role 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Zinfandel and the remaining 6% on specific (other) varietals with maturation in French and American oak for 14 months, alcohol comes in at 14.4%.

 

You would think will all these different grapes that this wine would be complex and interesting, but unfortunately this is not the case. What we have is a muted bouquet of stewed berries, dirty leather, oak and spices. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, dry and not that fruity, with low acidity and fine grained tannins. This Merlot’s finish has a medium length with flavours dominated by oak characteristics.  Not the kind of Merlot I would usually prefer, which is juicy, plumy, savoury and easy drinking. This one feels highly manipulated and actually feels more like a Cabernet. Disappointing, especially at this price, score 85 points.

 

Part of LCBO Vintage Essential (330241) at $27.95



Beaulieu Vineyard BV Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Napa Valley, California, USA

This wine is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Syrah, 2% Cabernet Franc with the remaining 4% Merlot and Petit Verdot, barrel aged for 10 months in a combination of oak (42% American, 39% French and 19% Hungarian oak), of those 6% is new barrels and alcohol comes in at 14.1%.

This wine opened up with aromas of blackberry-blueberry, dried currants, white pepper, spice box and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with nice fruit and spices flavours, fresh acidity and fine grained tannins. Perfect weight on the length and on the finish, with a silky smooth texture and excellent depth of flavours. An elegant, complex and well balanced wine, which I enjoyed with cheese and charcuterie platter. It worked beautifully. Score 91 points. 

Purchased April 13, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (987420) at $25.95

Stag’ Leap Petit Syrah 2007, Napa Valley, California, USA

 

 



This wine is mostly Petit Syrah with 84% and in a supporting role, 8% Syrah, 4% Grenache and 2% Viognier with alcohol coming in at 14.3%.

A deep aubergine in color, almost black, this wine opened up with aromas of blackberry, blueberry, espresso, damp earth, dried leaves, incense and white pepper notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, structured, with bold flavours, low acidity and firm tannins. This wine finish is long, intense with flavours of dark fruit, bitter sweet chocolate, espresso and persistent tannins lingering. There is nothing “Petit” about this wine, it’s a big, bold, structured wine which needs a further cellar period of 2-3 years for optimum pleasure. What it lacks in finesse and elegance, it more than made up by sheer power, for those who like them big. Be aware of the noticeable sediments as you get closer to the bottom of the bottle. Score 89 points.

Purchased June 11, 2011 LCBO Vintages New Release (590356) at $44.95

Antica Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Napa Valley, California, USA

Italy meets California in this wine from Antica, produced through a business venture of the Antinori Family of Italy, in the Napa Valley. This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with 98.5% with Petit Verdot at 1.5% in a supporting role, maturation in French oak (55% to 65% new oak) and alcohol coming in at 14%.

Beautiful opaque ruby in color, this Cabernet opened up with a robust bouquet of blackberry, black cheery, ripe plum, cassis, tobacco, smoke cedar and exotic spices. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, layered with dark fruit, minerals and smoke with balance acidity and chewy tannins. The finish is long and intensely flavourful. A structured Cabernet Sauvignon that balances black fruit and French oak with real finesse and sophistication. A very enjoyable wine which I paired with a BBQ steak, score 91 points.

 

Purchased July 7, 2012 LCBO Vintages New Release (266551) at $49.95

PB Hein Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Napa Valley, California, USA

 

This wine is made with 100% estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon grapes with maturation taking place in new French oak for 26 months and alcohol coming in at 14.5%. This wine is from a small boutique winery that only produced 293 cases of this Cabernet. 

This Cabernet opened up with exquisite maturing aromas of dark cherry and plum, black currants, toasty with peppery-sandalwood notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, rich, velvety texture with balance acidity and chewy tannins. This wine finish is very long, creamy with soft seductive fruit flavours, vanilla, gentle wood spices and light tannins lingering.   

A superb, very tasty California Cabernet where the extra cellaring and the quality work at the vineyard paid big dividends for the consumer, strongly recommended. Score 94 points.

Purchased October 27, 2012 LCBO New Release (305086) at $46.95. 

Camus Vineyard Zinfandel 2009, Napa Valley, California, USA

 

This wine is mostly Zinfandel with a small amount of Petit Sirah, the wine lots were aged separately in a combination of French barrels over 70% of then seasoned rather than new, and finally alcohol comes in at 15.2%.

Wow what exquisite aromatics on this Zin with aromas of wild berries, blackberry jam, white pepper, cedar, savoury and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, very rich and sensuous with good acidity and fleshy tannins. This wine’s finish is very long, slightly warm with a solid core of ripe fruit, spicy and sweet oak flavours. Lovers of Zinfandel are unlikely to be disappointed with this one; it has everything that people are looking for in a Zin. Lots of fruit and flavours? You bet. Low tannins? Yes. Big alcohol? Yes With all that, it still manages to be well balanced. Love the fruity and savoury personality of this Zinfandel, strongly recommended. Score 91 point.

Purchased October 15, 2012 at the SAQ (282459) AT $40.25

Summers Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA

 

This wine is made with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon fruit and opened up with attractive aromas of cherry, blackberry, black currants, black pepper, smoky and damp forest floor notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied (alcohol comes in at 14.1%), mild acidity, silky tannins with layers of creamy richness. This wines finish is very long and fruit focused with a smooth velvety texture. Another very nice wine from Summers Estate Winery that is true to the style of the house and represented a good value for a rich and juicy Cabernet. Very enjoyable, loved the aromatics, loved the mouthfeel and the finish, enough said, well done. Score 90 points.

Purchased July 21, 2012 LCBO New Release (279380) at $29.95

Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA

 

I had the opportunity to enjoy this great wine in a restaurant, without the mark up. Actually without corkage fee as well, while dining at Le Steak Frites in Montreal. This restaurant does not sell alcohol but does allow patrons to bring their own wine.  This wine is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, maturation taking place in French and Eastern European oak (14%) and alcohol coming in at a reasonable 13.8%.

This wine opened up with aromas of black cherry, plum, clove/vanilla spice, leather, smoky and espresso notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, rich and concentrated flavours and texture yet well balanced by good acidity and firm but not overbearing tannins. The length is very good on the finish with dark fruit flavours, spicy, smoky and silky tannins lingering. In a cool vintage, this 2009 managed to achieve both power and elegance, a solid, robust Cabernet yet approachable in its youth or cellar 4-5 years. More French in its style than California, very enjoyable, score 91 points.

Purchased October 25, 2012 at the SAQ in Montreal (897454) at $52.50

Storybook Mountain Mayacamas Range Napa Estate Zinfandel 2009, Napa Valley, California, USA

Beautiful colour in this Zin, on the nose, this wine opens up with aromas of ripe berries, plum, red currants, figs, fruitcake, black pepper and savoury notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, even at 14.9% alcohol, this wine is well balanced by classic Zin ripe fruit, fresh acidity and smooth tannins. This is definitely a more restrained, less extracted, elegant style of Zinfandel. Is this a great wine? Yes, does it represent a good value? No, not in this market. I don’t feel like I am enjoying a $47.00 wine, it sells for $36.00 in the US which I feel is the appropriate price. Score 91 points. 

Purchased May 12, 2012 LCBO New Release (682989) at $46.95

Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Napa Valley, California, USA

I don’t usually enjoy a Sauvignon Blanc that t is blended with Sémillon, but I had tasted this wine at the California Wine Fair here in Ottawa last March. I liked it and thought that; paired with the right food it would be very enjoyable. This wine is a blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Sémillon. Portions of this SB were fermented in 100% French oak Château-Style barrels (60 gallons), 15% fermented in new oak, with alcohol coming in at 13.5%.

 

This wine opens up with aromas of lemon-lime, pear, pineapple and fresh herbs. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied with fresh acidity and rich flavours of lemon meringue and pineapple with a touch of honey.  Good length on the finish, almost creamy with great flavours and refreshing. I paired this wine with Chicken lasagna with artichoke and a béchamel sauce and it worked quite well. Very enjoyable, score 89 points.

Purchased April 28, 2012 LCBO New Release (094375) at $28.95

Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve 2008, Napa Valley, California, USA

This wine is a blend of all five Bordeaux grapes; Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot with maturation taking place in both French and American oak (50% new) and alcohol coming in at 14.6%.

The benefit of blending and great winemaking is in full display here, starting with great aromatics, this wine opened up with aromas of plumy-black cherry fruit, cassis, cedar, pepper and light liquorice. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, rich ripe California fruit flavours with gentle oak spices, vanilla, fine acidity and silky smooth tannins. Great length, energy and flavours on the finish. What you get from Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve 2008 is a very elegant wine, finely textured and very fragrant. Drinking well right now or hold 2-3 years, gorgeous wine. Score 91 points.  

Purchased August 4, 2012 LCBO New Release (050393) at $34.95

Duckhorn Merlot 2008, Napa Valley, California, USA

This wine is a blend of 86% Merlot, 9.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.5% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Maturation took place in 100% French oak Château -style barrels (60 Gallons), 20% new barrels and 80% second vintage for 16 months with alcohol coming in at 14.5%.

This wines opens up with aromas of cherry, plum, spice box, baking spices floral and mineral notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, smooth and complex flavours, mild acidity and fine grained tannins. Medium length and a bit hot on the finish but with soft seductive fruit flavours lingering. This wine may not represent value but is another very enjoyable wine from Duckhorn. Definetely more Bordeaux than California in style, score 90 points.  

Purchased May 28, 2011 LCBO New Release (995529) at $54.95    

Swanson Oakville Merlot 2006, Napa Valley, California, USA

This 100% Merlot has a classic aroma of cherry, plum, blackberry, cedar, toast and a hint of spices. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied (with alcohol coming in at 14.8%), rich and concentrated flavours, well structured by balance acidity and fined grained tannins. Good energy on the finish with soft seductive fruit and cedar and smoke flavours lingering. Time in bottle (375ml bottle also helping) has allowed this wine to come together nicely, somewhere between the style of a California Merlot and Right Bank Bordeaux. What you get from this Merlot is elegance, great flavours and texture, drinking at its best right now. You must remember the movie Sideways line, "I am not drinking any f..... Merlot", well if you are not drinking Swanson Oakville Merlot 2006, you are missing something good. Strongly recommended, score 91 points.

Purchased January 7, 2012 LCBO New Release (262444) at $21.95 (for a 375 ml bottle)

Beringer Merlot 2009, Napa Valley, California, USA

Not much information to be found on this wine, from the winery web site, must be a recent release. This Merlot opens up with aromas of bing cherry, blackberry, fruit cake, cedar and burnt sugar. On the palate, medium-full bodied with alcohol coming in at 14.4%, ripe black fruit flavours, low acidity and firm tannins. Medium length on the finish with flavours of plums, spices and cedar wrap up by fine grainy tannins.  I remember purchasing half a dozen of Beringer Merlot 2006 from Napa Valley release in November of 2010. Compared to that vintage (2006), this 2009 vintage lacks complexity and structure with no energy on the palate. I expected more for a $30.00 Merlot, it may get better with a few years in bottle, score 87 points.               

Purchased April 28, 2012 LCBO New Release (919647) at $29.95 

Duckhorn Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Napa Valley, California, USA

What a lovely wine here, a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot, aged in 100% French oak. This wine opens up with aromas of blueberry, black cherry, cassis, vanilla and sweet toasty oak. On the palate, medium-full bodied (14.5% alc.), dry, rich and concentrated flavours, lively acidity and firm tannins. This Cabernet finish is long, very smooth with flavours of dark fruit, black pepper notes and fine grained tannins. Awsome mouthfeel, well balanced, well priced and delicious. Strongly recommended, score 91 points.

Purchased at the LCBO New Release (186171) at $32.95

Dominus Estate Napanook 2007, Napa Valley, California, USA

This was one of those rare occasions, when you think you are opening something special, then it turns out to be a disappointment. This wine is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot with alcohol coming in at 14.1%. On the nose, this wine opens up with aromas of dried fruit, violet, dried sage, earthy, leather and pencil shaving. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, low acidity, silky tannins but no fruit to speak off. Medium length on the finish, smooth but lacking energy and flavours. It's funny that from the very good 2007 California vintage, the fruitiness is all but gone, it was not a problem of oxidation, the cork sealed this bottle very well. Memorable but not in a good way, score 85 points. 

Purchased February 19, 2011 LCBO New Release at $53.95