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  Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1994, Napa Valley, CA Cost: $60/bottle A beautiful evolution of this 16 year cabernet sauvignon from one of Napa Valley’s oldest wineries. During Prohibition, the Beringer family was permitted to continue making alcohol for medicinal purposes, therefore saving many of its vineyards. I had one bottle of this wonderful […]

  Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon – Alexander Valley, Sonoma Cost: $40/bottle (restaurant retail) I happened to stumble across this Rodney Strong Cabernet, and it was fairly good. Aromas of toasted vanilla bean blended with sweet oak; a slight hint of confectionary sugar sprinkled over black currants and anise is a nice touch. […]

  Roy Estate Vineyard, 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, California Cost: $101/bottle A browse through a convenient small wine and beer shop (located in an Ocean City, Maryland Hilton Hotel) revealed a rare bottle from Roy, a “garagiste” (or rather, a premium “cult” wine)— a bit steeply priced at about $20 above the winery-direct […]

  Dry Creek Valley – Endeavor Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Cost: App. $50/bottle Lush fruit— currants, black berries, and blueberries, along with graham cracker pie crust and toasted oak, with a touch of smoke and dark chocolate. Layered in the mouth, a long decadent finish, a joy to sniff and of course to taste. Accompanied with […]

  Barkan Cabernet Sauvignon – Altitude Series 2005 – Galil, Israel Cost: $49/Bottle Wow! Who would have thought a wine like this could be made in Israel (and Kosher to boot)? This wine is unbelievable. Dark, rich, ruby in color, full-bodied, with an inky texture loaded with black fruits, currants, and black raspberries, saddled with […]

Trazado Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Maipo Valley, Chile Cost: $24.99/bottle On my way to the checkout counter at my local wine shop, I came across this in the “featured” aisle— with a sign expressing that this is Chile’s version of a

Quintessa 2004 – Bordeaux blend – Napa Valley, California Cost: $250/bottle restaurant retail or app. $125 store retail A bit of a splurge on the Quintessa 2004, a wine made predominantly of cabernet sauvignon, but with dollops of other red varietals. Nose of liquid Snickers, and mocha-java coffee that lingers above the blackberries and blueberries, […]

Oreno – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sangiovese – 2006 Tuscany Cost: $80-$85/bottle A dark opaque purple wine, moderately full-bodied with rather elevated acidity and tannins. Granted, it is young (recently released, that is). Its nose is already revealing— with great black cherries, black raspberries, violets, cedar, graphite, and a touch of vanilla bean. In the […]

PX This presents Cellar Notes by Aris Francisco. Marquis Philips Roogle Riesling 2008 and Opus One Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

PX This presents the “Cellar Notes” review of Laurel Cellars and Justin cabernet sauvignons from California.