Tag Archives: Cabernet Sauvignon

90+ points, Dinner Party

Genoa Cellars ‘The Boom’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

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Purchased from Genoa Cellars Tasting Room in Woodinville, WA, $35

Aaron:  I really enjoyed this.  There’s a powerful smell of damp berries and leather.  The full flavor matches the strength of the nose with lingering tannins.  Lots of oak and big juicy red berries dance with a hint of mushroom in the background making this a fun journey.  91 points.

Teri: Warm and spicy oak on the nose with flavors of plum, sweet oak (on the finish), vanilla and tart cherry. There are noticeable tannins but they give good structure to the wine. Complex and hearty. 90 points. Overall, I enjoyed most of the wines from this winery. We will go back! 

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Red, Standard Staples, Under $10

Castle Rock Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

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Wine.com, $9.99

World Market, $9.99

Aaron: Rocky minerals and sea salt combine with dark plum.  The flavor is pretty rich with hearty tannins and a slow burn finish.  Tobacco and black fruits cloud the tongue with some porace texture at the end.  89 points

Teri: The first thing I noticed was the hearty tannins in this bottle. A nose of baking spice and fruit is followed by oaky/leader blueberries and baking spice. Less fruit overall and more rose pedals, earth and oaky flavors. Not overly complex but the finish is smooth and lingering. This is an ok bottle for the price. I wouldn’t pay more than $10. Overall ok, but I think there are better options. 87 points 

 

Dinner Party, Red

Trader Joe’s Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley Chile 2014

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Purchased from Trader Joes, $12.99

Aaron: For a Trader Joe’s branded wine I really can’t complain.  Good flavor as a stand alone bottle with some decent spice and berries.  This is a solid bottle.  89 points

Teri: I could smell mushroom and herb on the nose with flavors of vanilla, blackberry, dried fruits and oak within the wine itself. This bottle had smooth tannins with a hearty flavor and an easy drinking feel. This is a good go-to bottle for any occasion. 89 points 

Dinner Party, Great Gift, Romantic Evening

Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Cab Sauv 2013

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Franciscan Estate CabWine.com, $25/bottle

Total Wine & More, $19.97

Cellar Tracker Website

Aaron: Drink this wine with food.  It’s really not great as a standalone in my opinion but went great with a nice flavorful cheese.  The bright oak and small, red berries gave me a sense of youth while charred tobacco leaves added some complexity.  I noticed some maple syrup on the nose which was an interesting change but unfortunately, the flavor was not as full as the smell.  A little too much chalkiness is why this wine needs food and the flavor escaped too quickly for my preference.  87 alone, 90 with food.

Teri: This is a hearty but easy to drink bottle. I enjoyed the sweet blackberry flavors with a subtle hint of cedar and firm but smooth tannins and a bit of black pepper. Not too complex but delicious. Bring this one to that dinner party or give as a gift to a friend who enjoys wine. 90 points 

Red

El Barrio Chilean Cabernet 2015

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img_0583Lot 18/The Tasting Room, $16.24/bottle

New York Times Wine Club

Aaron: Sadly Teri and I disagree on this wine (which means we probably won’t get another one).  I put this in the win column for Lot 18 because the leather, blackberry, and almond nose was fascinating.  I also enjoyed the smooth flavor with lingering tannins.  This was a bit minerally with porace rocks and granite but I felt it had enough complexity to justify a flavor I’m not usually a huge fan of.  91 points

Teri: With a yeasty-berry smell and flavors of black pepper, currant and cedar this was not my favorite flavor profile. I disliked the abundance of hearty tannins (almost bitter and chalky) and a slight bite on the finish. This one leans more towards mineral and woodsy flavors vs. fruit. The flavors are reflective of the Chilean soil but this one is not a top pick for me. 86 points