Tasting Room
High-end cabs and red blendsWINE OF THE WEEK
Secolo
2004 Sonoma County - Other red wines ($30)
A big, spicy, full-throttle red produced by Sebastiani. Notes of black plum, toast and white pepper. Integrated tannins. Extremely well crafted.
2002 Monte Rosso, Sonoma Valley - Other red wines ($70)
A complex cab, rich, soft and easy. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, black cherry, cassis, anise and vanilla.
2004 Napa Valley - Other red wines ($70)
Soft, seamless and supple. Complex, with notes of black raspberry, blackberries, cassis, brown sugar and cedar.
2003 Diamond Mountain, Napa Valley - Other red wines ($69)
A cab with limited appeal. Aromas and flavors of cranberry, cherry, cedar and pencil lead. Soft texture.
2004 Napa Valley - Other red wines ($54)
A classic, rich and lush. Wine of the week runner-up because it's pricier than the Secolo. Balanced. Integrated. Lovely.
2002 Drummond Vineyard, N.V., Sonoma Valley - Other red wines ($60)
A bright, intense cab with good acidity. Notes of cherry, black cherry, cola and oak. Well integrated.
2003 Napa Valley - Other red wines ($60)
A good cab, with a rich texture. Medium complexity, with aromas and flavors of tart red fruit and caramel.
2004 Claret, Napa Valley - Other red wines ($38)
A complex, layered claret. Floral, with notes of soft dried cherries, boysenberries, blueberry and cocoa. Firm tannins.
2002 Generations, Napa Valley - Other red wines ($75)
A lush, complex wine. Soft texture. Lovely aromas and flavors of violets, blueberry, chocolate, cinnamon and clove.
2003 Reserve, Napa Valley - Other red wines ($125)
A ripe, smoky cab. Aromas and flavors of currants, pomegranates, blackberries and tobacco.
2002 Alexander Valley - Other red wines ($60)
Appealing, with flavors of blackberry, cigar box, dill and toast. Slightly herbal. Oak masked the fruit a bit.
TASTING PANEL: Steve Leveque, winemaker of Chalk Hill Estate; Larry Van Aalst,sommelier of Equus; Renay Santero, wine buyer of Oliver's Markets; and Press Democrat wine columnist Peg Melnik.
CRITERIA: The panel samples eight to 12 wines a week in a blind tasting. Wine of the Week is based on quality, value and availability and is not necessarily the top wine of the tasting. Price is suggested retail; actual price is often lower.You can reach Staff Writer Peg Melnik at 521-5310 or e-mail pmelnik@pressdemocrat.com