Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards-Prologue-Cabernet Sauvignon-Napa Valley-California-2007-$16.99-Very interesting nose of dark fruit and green vegetables, very dark color, a unique taste for a Cab, I enjoyed it very much, was smooth for what would be considered a very young wine. This vineyard puts out some great Cabs, most in the $50 range, so this delivers like a $35 bottle due to its unique qualities.            NR         CR-4-4.5        Great with steak, burgers, pasta.

Forth Vineyards-Historie-Cabernet Sauvignon-Medocino-California-2006-$14.27-Another great value, this northern California area has been putting out some very good wines. Distinct nose, good favor, just a solid Cab, drinks also like a $25 wine.          NR          CR-4-4.5         Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

Bergevin Lane Vineyards-Cabernet Sauvignon-Columbia Valley-Walla Walla-Washington- 2005-$20.99-A nose of dark fruit and spice, very dark in color.  A smooth, pleasant Cab, cherry, black currants, blackberry, sweet spices.   The second time I have tried this wine in the past year, consistent both times.          WS-90        RP-89         CR-4-4.5        Good with chicken, meats, pasta.

Caldwell-Rocket Science-2006-Proprietary Red-Napa Valley-California-$45.00-Another wine I had a few months back, and also from one of my favorite Napa Valley wineries, Caldwell Vineyard. I have met John Caldwell a few times at tasting dinners, he is a character, makes great wine. This is the third vintage of Rocket Science that I have tried and is the best so far.  It is a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petite Verdot and is already a smooth drinking wine despite being young. Big wine, spice notes, vanilla and clove. Drinks like a $80-100 Napa Valley wine. The bottle is a collectable one since it’s shaped like a rocket ship, the base is wide and the bottle tapers towards the top, the label is cool, the design is unique as far as wine bottles go.              WS88    CR-5           Great with steak, burgers, pasta.

Hunt Family Cellars-Cab Ovation-Destiny Vineyards Mt. Christo Block-Cabernet Sauvignon-Paso Robles-California-2001-$62.50-A big bold nose of dark fruit, very dark dense color.  A big smooth Cab, black cherry, currants, butterscotch, vanilla with right amount of toasty oak.  A special wine from a winery that delivers with all the different wines they make, beautiful property located in the Central Coast region in California.        NR      CR-5      Good with meats, pasta, ribs.

Conn Valley Vineyards-Anderson’s-Prologue-Cabernet Sauvignon-Napa Valley-California-2006-$16.99-Good nose of dark fruit.  Nice dark ruby color.  A solid Cab, smooth, good mouth feel of dark fruit, not over oaked.  Hard finding a Napa Cab at this price. The interesting difference between the 2007 which I recently reviewed and the 2006 is quite different and a great example of how the vintage can change from year to year.          NR            CR-4           Good drinking with streak, chicken, pasta.

Chateau Faugeres-Saint-Emilion-Grand Cru-Red Bordeaux-La Reserve-France-2006-$26.98- Now I am not a big French wine drinker, but a good friend brought this wine to dinner after we had played a round of golf. It had a good nose, less earthly and more fruit and after we let it breathe some, was very good, especially for a wine that should sit for another 5 years before it starts to reach it’s potential.  It was too young to drink, had lingering tannins that had not smoothed out yet,  it opened after we used a bottle aerator and the wine got better as the meal went along. A very good wine, especially since it’s a Grand Cru.    WS-91   CR-4-4.5   Great with pasta,  and most foods since a good French wine is so food friendly.

Forth Vineyards-All Boys-Dry Creek Valley-Cabernet Sauvignon-Sonoma County-California-2006-$15.99-A nose of dark fruit, normal Cab nose, dark color.  Dark berries, some chocolate, a bit tannic, liked it more the last time I tried it, decent for the price.          NR        CR-3.5         Good with chicken, pasta.

Louis M. Martini-Reserve-Cabernet Sauvignon-Napa Valley-California-2005-$17.99-A big dark fruit nose, dark red color.  a blush, mouth filling red, black currants, black cherry, cedar, right amount of oak.  A enjoyable wine that delivers like a $50 Cab.            RP-89         WS-85      CR-4.5      Good with steak, pasta, ribs.