Category Archives: Cabernet Sauvignon

PINE RIDGE ONLINE TASTING, PART TWO. ZOWIE!

Posted on April 15, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

As a follow-up to the Friday, April 13th post on the Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc+Viognier (visit www.thefrugalwinesnob. com/?p=1064 for the review as well as some details about the winery), here’s my report on the online tasting as a whole. Not … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Tastings, Viognier | Leave a comment

RECOMMENDED: Concannon Conservancy 2009 “Crimson & Clover,” Livermore Valley, CA. Red blend: 50% Petite Sirah, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, 10% Zinfandel. 13.7% ABV. $15, available for as little as $9.99.

Posted on February 14, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

“Crimson & Clover” is our Valentine’s Day selection, because this wine was based on love. Not romantic love, mind you, but true, lasting, and growing love. Our Samples Policy states, “We love a good back-story” and invites winemakers and publicists … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Petite Sirah, Red Blend, Syrah/Shiraz, Zinfandel | 1 Comment

STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Dependable 2009 Red Blend (50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon), Coteaux de Bessilles (Languedoc). 13% ABV. Difficult to find; $17.50 at Civilization, a bistro in Gainesville, FL, where it is their house red.

Posted on February 10, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Single-grape varietal wines can be astonishing, even stunning, when weather, harvest, and winemaker are in perfect synch. But it’s no secret we also admire, and often prefer, the skills of those winemakers who successfully blend superior (and dependable) wines, both … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Grenache/Garnacha, Merlot, Red Blend, Syrah/Shiraz | 3 Comments

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Wente Vineyards Estate Grown, 2009 “Southern Hills” Cabernet Sauvignon, Livermore Valley/San Francisco Bay. 13.5% ABV. $12.99.

Posted on February 6, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Of the four wines the two of us tasted with two friends recently, this was our favorite of the night. (This was the only Wente we had that evening, by the way.) It was ruby with pink edges, surprisingly clear … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California | 4 Comments

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: elements by Artesa, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, AND elements 2006 Red Wine.

Posted on February 3, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: elements by Artesa, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petite Verdot and 1% Malbec), 62% Napa County, 38% Sonoma County. 14.4% ABV. Around $17 but available for as little as $12.99. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Graciano, Grenache/Garnacha, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Red Blend, Tempranillo | 1 Comment

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Leese-Fitch 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, California. 13.5% ABV. $9.99.

Posted on January 12, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Three of us tasted this beauty, and all of us were stunned that a Cab this young (and inexpensive!) could possibly be this complex and delicious. Turns out there’s a reason: while it is indeed mostly Cab, it is in … Continue reading →

Posted in Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Carignan, Merlot, Petite Sirah | 8 Comments

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Château La Bonnelle, 2008 Saint-Émilion Grand Cru. Around $22 but you can find it on sale for $18-19. 13.5%.

Posted on December 24, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

This beautiful red Bordeaux is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Sounds simple enough, but somehow the vintner managed to turn it into an unusual, very interesting, highly aromatic wine with the heady bouquet and taste of flowers including violets … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Food, France, Merlot | Leave a comment

RECOMMENDED: Tamás Estates, 2009 Double Decker Red (includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Barbera), Central Coast, CA. 13.5% ABV. Around $10.

Posted on December 14, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

This is an interesting wine with fun contradictions. Maybe that’s one reason they named it “Double Decker!” First example: in the decanter, this big boy was nearly opaque and nearly black, yet in the glass, it was dark ruby-red with … Continue reading →

Posted in Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Petite Sirah, Red Blend | Leave a comment

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Warwick, 2009 “The First Lady” Cabernet Sauvignon (97% Cab, 3% Petit Verdot), South Africa. 14.0% ABV. $12.60-16.99.

Posted on December 10, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

There is quite a story behind the name “The First Lady,” but let’s get down to the brass tacks of the wine first. Deep ruby red with pink edges and clarity, this intense wine temporarily tinted the glass! The nose … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, South Africa | Leave a comment

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Sterling Vintner’s Collection 2009 Meritage. Central Coast, CA. 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 7% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot. $12.99. 13.5% ABV.

Posted on December 9, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Delicious! Oak, vanilla, and cinnamon. A first impression of brown sugar and jam gave way to a dry, beautiful wine. This is a wonderful, versatile everyday (i.e. inexpensive) blend that’s good enough for a dinner party. Delicious and classy, made … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Red Blend | Leave a comment