Showkett Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 – Napa Valley, California
Cost: $49.99/Bottle
A georgeous weekend, we dined outdoors with a lovely bottle of cabernet sauvignon from Showkett Vineyards, which, as not too many know, is a neighboring vineyard literally a stone’s throw from the famous Screaming Eagle vineyards. Having visited the winery perhaps about 12 years ago, I do recall this was one of the highlights of my trip, and it’s quite nice to pick up a bottle of this hidden gem if/when I see it on a store shelf. The cabernet is the hallmark of this winery, and the 2005 appears to be an outstanding effort, with notes of blackcherry, cassis, a touch of sage, smoke and vanilla, and— with a bit of airing and swirling, a rather enjoyable confectionary sugar powder that also emerges. In the mouth, very balanced, good persistence of fruit backed by polished tannins, and a nice cherry-vanilla lingering finish. It’s forward in that you can enjoy today, but give this a couple of years resting for maximum peak enjoyment.
Rating: 92
Karl Lawrence – Aldin Chardonnay 2007 – Napa Valley California
Cost: $25/Bottle
This is a nice summer-like chardonnay… with its fine notes of buttery oak laced white wine seemingly loaded with pear, honeysuckle and tangerine oil on both aroma and flavor. Has good acid levels and becomes nice and creamy on the palate. Full bodied, full flavored, and rich from mid to back palate.
Rating: 90
St. Supery – Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 – Napa Valley, California
Cost: $64/Bottle off the menu at Johnnie’s HideAway in Kissimmee, Florida (Retails for about $30 to $35/bottle)
Recommended by the waiter, this is my first taste of this winery, and I must say it was superb. This dark plum red colored wine is medium bodied with a smoky oak, burnt firewood nose that eventually reveals black currants, anise spice, blackberries, and vanilla extract. Dry but balanced keeps this wine open and tasty with a moderate finish. Lingering flavors along with the rather fruity nose and subtle hints of oak and anise are refreshing. Worth looking for when I get back home.
Rating: 91
Chateau St. Michelle – Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Cost: $31/bottle at Bonefish Grill (retails $12-$15 at wineshops)
Medium bodied with a rather dark ruby color that becomes nearly purple in the center. Silky smooth with soft tannins and an aroma of black cherry, vanilla, and a note of damp earth. With time in the glass, the aromas become more pronounced but with a hint of celery and a touch of oak. In the mouth, it has decent tannins and acids and with perhaps just enough fruit to keep you interested. Still it appeared and tasted rather monotone having that earthy feel to the wine, which made it a bit awkward. I will admit that matching with Bonefish Grill’s famous Bang Bang Shrimp and Chilean Sea Bass with their spicy and rather salty chimichurri sauce overwhelmed the wine at certain points of the evening, but if anything, it should have been an advantage due to its fruit and sweetness. In this instance, it was not. Tasted plain and quite frankly flat at some points. Rating: 82
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