Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon

What can I say, I loved the label and had to taste the wine.  Now admit it ... you've purchased wine because of the label too.  

Educated Guess 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon  is from Roots Run Deep Winery, Napa Valley, California.  This is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot.  The grapes are from Napa Valley (85% Rutherford and St. Helena, and 15% Yountville, Oak Knoll and Calistoga).  Quite the blend.  Quite a nice wine.  Educated Guess is dark purple with a jammy aroma of blackberry, some earthiness and tobacco.  The flavor was tobacco and spice.  Medium tannins. Nicely balanced.  While I was on Roots Run Deep's website getting the winemaker's notes I saw that the 2009 is available.  I am going to have to search that out.  

Winemaker's Notes:  It’s rich, ripe and focused with juicy blackberry and cherry fruit, cocoa and hints of mint all tied together with a creamy french vanilla middle and a finish that in a word is . . . lingering. Educated Guess fills all the requirements that a serious cabernet lover is looking for, while remaining fun, approachable, and food friendly!

New Age White Wine

During a few of my tastings customers have asked if the store carried New Age.  It has finally hit the shelves and I had to taste it.  

New Age White Wine, NV ($10) is from Mendoza, Argentina and a blend of  90% Torrontes, 10% Sauvignon Blanc. A pale light straw color, this wine is sweet and fruity with a little frizzante.  The aroma was sweet with a hint of citrus and grassiness.  The flavor was fruity with a hint of honey and minerality.  A great surprise for me and perfect for a hot summer day.  The back label suggests serving New Age over ice with a lime wedge.  This is a popular cocktail in Argentina called "Tincho".  I tasted New Age with a lime wedge and with a lemon wedge.  Lime was best, but I still prefer New Age chilled and straight up.  Additional cocktail recipes can be found on the website for Quintessential Wines.  

Winemaker's Notes:  A light yellow/green colored wine, with fruity and floral aromas of great intensity. Balanced acidity leads to soft, semi-sweet and slightly effervescent flavors and mouth feel. It is an extremely refreshing, vivacious and sensual wine.  This wine should be served well-chilled as an aperitif or dessert. Also tastes great with spicy Thai, Indian, Chinese or Japanese cuisine.

Berringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008

It has been a while since I've tasted Beringer wines.  There is so much wine on the market that I tend to stay away from those that have been around forever (e.g. Kendall-Jackson, Mondavi).  However, I have been hearing about Beringer's Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon so ... yup, had to try it. 

The rich black cherry and smoky tobacco aroma of Beringer Knights Valley 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon pulls you right it.  The flavor is also black cherry with star anise.  It's nicely balance with mild tannins and not overly acidic.  Just short of being smooth.  Quite enjoyable.

Winemaker's Notes (bottle back label):  Notes of blackberry, dried herbs, and star anise balance with distinct, rich tannins. 

Winemaker's Notes (website): The 2008 Knights Valley Cabernet exhibits the characteristics that I've come to know and love from this iconic vineyard – rich fruit, accented by rustic qualities. Aromas of red cherry, anise and blackberry preserves are followed by abundant flavors of black cherry and pink peppercorns. The round tannins are embraced by juicy fruit – this vintage is approachable from the start. Dusty, savory characteristics linger into the finish.

Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz, 2008

I enjoy Two Hands Angels Share Shiraz from McLaren Vale, South Australia and reviewed it on March 16th.  Costco had Two Hands Gnarly Dudes 2008 Shiraz ($23) from Barossa Valley, Australia and I had to taste it.  I purchased it with the hopes that I'd enjoy it as much as I do Two Hands Angel Share.  It did not let me down.

Two Hands 2008 Gnarly Dudes Shiraz had a dark purple color.  The intense aroma of blackberry and tobacco was heavenly.  A jammy flavor of tobacco, earthiness and spice was delicious.  Nicely balanced.  Complex.   

Winemaker's Notes: COLOUR: Black on black in colour. AROMA: This has a very intense bouquet of mineral, roasted chestnuts, fresh crushed currants, burnt toffee, spices, dark chocolate and lavender; this is brooding and will take a few more months to develop further. PALATE: The palate is very full on and juicy, starting with a huge amount of layered and penetrating black fruits. The mid palate is quite extended and leads nicely to a moderately long and supple finish. This is all very dark fruits, with an almost Christmas cake/chocolate tart-like texture, which is really fun ride. The tannins are initially sweet then bone dry finishing nicely on slow, drawing tannin. This is a drink now wine that will age well in the medium to short term and will give great pleasure for up to 5 years.

14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009

Once again I am cooking from a cookbook that I purchased while in California Wine Country.  I always cook with a wine I enjoy drinking (yes it's in the recipe).  

14 Hands 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is from Washington state and the grapes are sourced from various regions in the state.  Not 100% Cabernet - Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Petite Verdot are also blended in.  A subtle aroma of  red fruit and hint of cocoa, with a flavor of cherry and chocolate.  The tannins are smooth and this is well balanced.  Another favorite of mine that I recommend to customers.  

Winemaker's Notes: 14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon features aromas of red currants and raspberries with subtle hints of spice. Spiced cherry & plum flavors are joined by notes of cocoa and complemented by fine, velvety tannins.  Pairs well with Tomato-basil bruschetta, eggplant parmesan, herb crusted prime rib, grilled beef steak, hearty venison stew.

Kris Pinot Grigio

I enjoyed Kris 2008 Pinot Grigio.  Their 2009 ... not so much; the acidity was overpowering.  Their 2010 is finally on the store shelves and I had to taste it.  

Kris 2010 Pinot Grigio ($9.89 at Costco) is 100% Pinot Grigio and from Delle Venezie, Italy, DOCG.  A clear, pale, straw color this wine has a floral aroma with a hint of honeysuckle.  A crisp lime flavor that is not too tart.  Nice acidity.  Once again, I can enjoy Kris Pinot Grigio again.   

Winemaker's Notes:  Acacia flower, lime, honey and a unique almond touch.

California - Caymus Winery

     My visit to Caymus gave me the opportunity to taste five wines.  All were enjoyable.  I've now added Caymus and the Wagner Family vineyards to my list of must haves.


Belle Glos 2009 Taylor Lane Pinot Noir is from Sonoma Coast.  100% Pinot Noir, this is a blend of Dijon clones 113, 114, 115 and 777.  A light bodied wine with a dark ruby color.  A fruity aroma including raspberry and black cherry, also smoke and oak.  The flavor is black cherry, oak and spice.  Nicely balanced and complex. 

Winemaker's Notes:  Very dark ruby color. Deep aromas of bright berries mixed with sweet toasty cedar notes. The flavors of cherries, berry pie and cola are abundant with great focus. The medium weight on the palate with balanced acidity lead the flavors through and beyond a supple, tannin laced finish.

Caymus Napa Valley 2005 Sauvignon Blanc is a winery only wine*, producing 800 cases.  Aromas of citrus and grapefruit with a hint of oak.  (This wine is made in the old world style and oak aged.)  The flavor is grapefruit and grapefruit pith. Not as fruit forward as a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.  Nice acidity.  Crisp and refreshing.  

Winemaker's Notes:  (Not available)


Caymus Napa Valley 2007 Zinfandel  has a little Petite Sirah blended in.  Also winery only* (750 cases were produced).  The aroma is black cherry, plum and licorice.  A marvelous flavor of  licorice, black cherry and spice.  Soft tannins, medium body and silky.   

Winemaker's Notes:  A deep, purplish-red color, this vintage offers a rich raspberry aroma which includes ripeness and rustic qualities. Abundant black cherry and plum are full, forward and richly-flavored, with the zinfandel’s high acidity balanced by fruit.

Caymus Napa Valley 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet.  This is a big Cabernet with a dark garnet color.  The aroma is black cherry, chocolate and coffee.  The flavor is black cherry, spice and a hint of oak.  A lucious long silky finish.  Balanced.  

Winemaker's Notes:  Dark scarlet color and near opaque. Nose is assertive with a vibrant array of showy characteristics—cassis, vanilla, cranberry, French oak, coffee and potpourri. The palate of this wine shows ripeness of mature grapes, fruit impressions then expands to richness with fine gritty tannins.    Abundant with layered flavors of brown spice, toasted oak, white pepper and creme de cassis— very rich yet harmonious and supple.


Caymus Special Selection 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is a big full body Cabernet and has 14% Merlot blended in.  The grapes are from several Napa appellations -

32% Rutherford, 15% Atlas Peak, 14% Oak Knoll, 9% St Helena, 6% Yountville, and the remaining 24% are lesser known. Again, dark in color, the aroma is cassis, and a hint of dark fruit.  The flavor is spice and dark fruit with a long silky finish and tannins.   

Winemaker's Notes:  Dark youthful purple color. Nose of berries, cassis and brown spice – expresses crushingly rich, homemade, rustic yet supple characters. Flavors have nuance of ripe Cabernet grapes, cocoa, dark chocolate, vanilla and cassis. The abundant array of flavors is supported by fine grain “chocky” texture. This vintage exhibits a balance in abundant ripe tannins and serious fruit – grape skin extraction and French oak provides a tasting experience that begins delightful, broadens and expands on the palate – a brooding, supple, finely textured wine.

*I've included the winery only wines just to indicate the quality of wine Caymus produces.  Besides, if you ever have the opportunity to visit Caymus you know you should taste these wine.