Tasting Room
CabernetWINE OF THE WEEK
Chateau St. Jean
2004 Sonoma County - Cabernet Sauvignon ($27)
A cab with great backbone. Complex, juicy and rich. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, dried cherry, chocolate, coffee and herbs. Full-bodied, with integrated tannins. Showy.
2002 Napa Valley - Cabernet Sauvignon ($40)
A lovely cab with lush fruit. Notes of blackberry, cherry, cassis, plum, pencil and leather. Well-balanced. Long finish.
2004 Canoe Ridge East, Washington - Cabernet Sauvignon ($25)
An earthy cab with a light structure. A bit gamy. Notes of black cherry, chocolate, coffee and toast.
2005 2005 Ruby-Throated Cab, California - Cabernet Sauvignon ($18)
An elegant cab wih vibrant fruit and good intensity. Aromas and flavors of cassis, blackberry and herbs. Soft texture.
2004 Napa Valley - Cabernet Sauvignon ($54)
An opulent cab. Rich, ripe and full-bodied. Notes of black plum, cherry, cassis, toasty oak and herbs. Soft mouth-feel.
2004 Affinity, Napa Valley - Cabernet Sauvignon ($45)
A lush, complex cab. Notes of cassis, black plum, chocolate, anise, cinnamon and clove. A hint of violet.
2004 Alexander Valley - Cabernet Sauvignon ($26)
A cab with a soft mouth-feel. Rich and ripe. Nicely extracted flavors. A bit tannic. Slightly earthy.
2004 Stags Leap District, Napa Valley - Cabernet Sauvignon ($65)
A complex cab with good acid. Notes of berries, toasty oak, licorice and spice. Integrated tannins. Slightly earthy.
TASTING PANEL: Steve Leveque, winemaker of Chalk Hill Winery; Stefen Soltysiak, Rodney Strong Vineyards; Larry Van Aalst, sommelier of Equus; 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