Tag: Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine of the Week: Bressler 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

A More Special Than Usual #WineWednesday

In our house, we usually follow the mantra that wine can make a special occasion, rather than holding great wines to consume on special occasions. Today was a mix of both, being that it’s my birthday and I was granted the freedom to pick any wine I desired from our collection. I eagerly scanned the racks and opted for a big, sexy bottle – a Bressler Vineyards 2008 Cabernet – so my style…

I learned about Bressler a few years ago while on a work trip to Scottsdale, AZ. My group was out for a steak dinner and the sommelier strongly suggested we give the 2004 vintage a try. At one point in the night, the entire table stopped to comment on the complexity and quality of the wine. After our meal, I returned to my hotel room and immediately jumped online to learn more about this fantastic find.

Husband and wife duo Bob and Stacey Bressler produced their first vintage in 2000 with grapes from their St. Helena property. Since then, their vineyard has grown to include 5-acres of their flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot for blending. We had the pleasure of sharing a glass of wine with the Bresslers while visiting Napa on a subsequent trip and gained an appreciation for just how passionate they are about their craft. Since that first sip of the 2004, we have made sure to grab each release since. Continue reading Wine of the Week: Bressler 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine of the Week: Vineyard 7 & 8 2001 “7” Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Review and Rating

 On a fluke, I decided to stop by a local wine shop on my way home from work and was thrilled to find the one and only bottle of Vineyard 7 & 8 2001 “7” Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. This was the result of challenging the shop employee, whom I hadn’t met before, to “show me something from Napa I haven’t tried.” (Thanks, Darren!) This wine caught my attention because A) I love a good Spring Mountain Cabernet, B) Vineyard 7 & 8 is one of the few Spring Mountain wineries I have yet to visit/taste, C) I’ve never actually had the pleasure of having a wine produced by 7 & 8 and D) Who doesn’t want to grab the last of anything? Thus, I was willing to swallow the $80 price tag.

Vineyard 7 & 8 produces Estate Cabernets and Chardonnays, as well as what they call their “growers” wines, like the “7” Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from Spring Mountain fruit grown by others and the “8” Chardonnay from Russian River Valley grapes. I recently wrote about two mountain wines, so you know how much their intensity excites me. Not surprisingly, this bottle of 2001 “7” lasted all of about 20 minutes in my possession before I opened it. Given the tight timing, I used a Nuance Wine Finer aerator to help give it some air as I poured it into my glass. (I actually use this tool quite frequently.) Continue reading Wine of the Week: Vineyard 7 & 8 2001 “7” Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Celebrating Four-Legged Friends with Some of the Best Wines I Ever Drank

Wine Reviews and Ratings

Some nights just call for an incredible roster of wine… Within the past couple of months, our closest friends, who happen to live just down the Living Napa Cabulousstreet, lost their two sweet dogs, “Wile E” (yellow) and Sullivan aka “Sully” (brown and white) to old age. When Sully passed yesterday, we collectively knew it was the right time to grab some of our most special wines from the cellar. We took time to look at old photos and share funny stories about these furry boys in their youth and turned the night into more of a celebration. Both wine enthusiasts, we opened four bottles and toasted to great pets past and present, a delicious meal and good, lifelong friendships. Together, we pooled four mind-blowing bottles from the West Coast of the U.S. and Australia. I love Napa wine because it’s what I know. I do enjoy opening my palate to wine from other areas in an effort to continue to broaden my knowledge and appreciation.

Wine Reviews and Ratings

I think I could even go out on a limb to say these were four of the best wines I’ve ever had:

  • Lewis Cellars 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley – The tone of our night was set with this beautiful, fruit-forward wine, produced by former pro race car driver, Randy Lewis. It’s a complex 100% Cabernet with grapes from Calistoga and Oak Knoll.  It began with aromas of cocoa, black fruit and spice and included flavors of oak, anise and chocolate. This vibrant wine had elegant supple tannins and a dramatic finish. Rating: 4.63 Continue reading Celebrating Four-Legged Friends with Some of the Best Wines I Ever Drank

Our Christmas Wine: Caymus 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley Wine Review

With the 2012 holiday season winding down, we hope that you’ve enjoyed a month of memorable experiences with loved ones. photo (3)We’re feeling especially thankful for all that we have. And, like us, we hope you’ve indulged in some unforgettable wines over the past few weeks.

Tonight, we opted for Caymus 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (14.4% alcohol) to accompany our now traditional Christmas Day dinner of Spicy Soy-Glazed Short Ribs. Admittedly, all but half a glass each was remaining by the time this slow-cooked meal was ready. Among the handful of special-occasion bottles we plucked from the cellar, this one seemed the most fitting for our meal. There’s just something comforting and consistent about the wine from Caymus Vineyards – which complements the feelings of Christmas night. The 2009 ($65/bottle) again delivered on our expectations. What surprises us more than anything is that its production nears 70,000 cases. (The good news is, you can get it just about anywhere.)

Continue reading Our Christmas Wine: Caymus 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Weekend Roundup: Napa Wine Ratings and Reviews

Selections from Buehler Vineyards, Frank Family Vineyards, Grgich Hills and Heitz Cellar

Holiday parties and group BYOB restaurant outings offer great excuses for tasting a variety of wines. (They also are the reason it’s taken me longer than usual to write.) I’m excited to share four wine ratings and reviews from some of Napa Valley’s most iconic wineries.

Wine Ratings and Reviews
  • Grgich Hills Estate 2008 Fume Blanc – This is a great varietal and a crisp, refreshing wine to start with. It’s light and straw colored, having gone through all stainless-steel fermentation. (Ahem, this means it’s a great pick for those who want a non-oaky, non-buttery but still complex wine.) Aromas and flavors of citrus (grapefruit) and lemongrass are most prominent. Fun fact: Grgich Hills was the site of my first-ever tasting in Napa Valley. Rating: 4.25

    Continue reading Weekend Roundup: Napa Wine Ratings and Reviews

A Weekend of Wine; a Bounty of Reviews

Five Napa Valley Wine Reviews

Every so often, we enjoy what I call a “Weekend of Tasting” with the goal of sharing a series of Napa Valley wine reviews. This usually involves gathering with a few others who equally appreciate the beauty each bottle brings and are open to reaching into the far corners of their cellars to share their favorite picks with the group. This past weekend, we spent time with family in Michigan and opened some pretty wonderful wines. Five of my top Napa picks are well worth recommending: