Tasting Room
Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux Red BlendsWINE OF THE WEEK
Snow Lake One
2004 Red Hills, Lake - Cabernet Sauvignon ($38)
A rich, opulent cab, with a good tannic grip. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, black cherry, black plum, cassis, sweet oak, cinnamon and clove. Rich mouth-feel. Big structure. Even better in five years.
2003 Cinq Cepages, Sonoma County - Cabernet Sauvignon ($75)
A rich cab with a great concentration of fruit. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, black cherry, plum and anise.
2003 Napa Valley - Other red wines ($54)
An earthy cab with complex flavors. Notes of red berries, plum, cola and tobacco. Bright, with great intensity.
2003 Napa Valley - Cabernet Sauvignon ($65)
Earthy and complex. Herbal, with aromas and flavors of dried cherry, plum and anise. Bright, with a soft texture.
2003 Monte Rosso Vnyd., Sonoma Valley - Cabernet Sauvignon ($50)
A big-boy cab. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, cassis, cinnamon and clove. Soft texture. Opulent and showy.
2004 Napa Valley - Cabernet Sauvignon ($39)
A rich cab with brambly fruit flavors. Notes of blackberry, black plum and tobacco. Has some slightly over-ripe flavors.
2004 Napa Valley - Cabernet Sauvignon ($27)
A hearty cab with a good tannic edge. Balanced. Aromas and flavors of violet, cranberry and tart cherry. Round.
2003 Reserve, Napa Valley - Cabernet Sauvignon ($38)
An intense cab. Aromas and flavors of red plum, dill and anise. A good cab with brambly fruit.
2005 California - Cabernet Sauvignon ($13)
A lean cab that's uncomplicated. Notes of of strawberry and rhubarb. Medium-bodied. Rich mouth-feel. Light tannins.
2003 Napa Valley - Cabernet Sauvignon ($32)
Rhone-like, earthy and gamy. Flavors of red plum and mushrooms. Bready aromas. Soft. Medium complexity.
2002 Sydney Vnyd., Reserve, Dry Creek Valley - Cabernet Sauvignon ($44)
Big and tannic, with aromas and flavors of strawberry, raisin and exotic spice. A little drying. Some off aromas.
TASTING PANEL: Ziggy Eschliman, radio's the "Wine Gal"; Steve Leveque, winemaker of Chalk Hill Winery; 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