Archive for the ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ Category

3 comments

Going Back In Time


02.24.2010

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Wine | 3 Comments »

2005 Burgess Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

First a little history about the winery:

View of Bell Canyon Reservoir

Burgess Cellars is a family owned and operated winery located in the picturesque Howell Mountain region of Napa Valley. The original winery dates back to the 1880’s and has been known as Burgess Cellars since Tom Burgess purchase it back in 1972. Tom and his family believe in the idea of only producing varietals which are suited to the individual characteristics of the vineyard. That is why they only produce hand-crafted estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah wines. Burgess is also one of the few wineries to employee the same winemaker (Bill Sorenson) since their very first vintage. Visiting Burgess Cellars is almost like taking a step back in time. They are an extremely laid back unpretentious winery which still hosts its “tasting room” visitors in an old barn of sorts, complete with wine aging in the barrels all around you. To date, this is the only winery that I have visited and was offered a library wine (1995 Cabernet Sauvignon) as part of our tasting. Loved it by the way!
(more…)

6 comments

My first Blind Tasting


02.16.2010

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Wine | 6 Comments »

Ever since my friends and neighbors found out that I was writing a wine blog, I have been getting the not so subtle hints to host an event so they can have some fun too. Well I finally put a little gathering together and decided at the last minute that it would be more fun to have it as a blind tasting. Looking back, it made me think of the old adage “Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail”. Suffice it to say that I wasn’t completely prepared and had to improvise.

The only guidelines were that each set of neighbors were asked to bring one bottle of red wine at a cost of $15 -$30.

After the bottles were concealed and marked, everyone got a glass, notepad and pen. Each person was then instructed to make any type of notes that they could about each wine. They were to try and pick out the varietal and after tasting all three, choose their favorite. The wines were labeled WDO#1, WDO#2 and WDO#3. Complicated, I know!

This is what everyone had to say about each wine.
(more…)

No Comments

a french vine in my wine


02.15.2010

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Wine | No Comments »

2007 337 Cabernet Sauvignon Lodi, CA

I was reading through some blogs recently and ran across one that caught my eye. It was talking about the 337 Cabernet Sauvignon and its “roots”. I had seen this wine on the shelves before but had yet to venture out enough to try it. It wasn’t that I had anything against it, I just didn’t know enough about it. So, when I stumbled across the blog I was curious to hear what they had to say. What is the significance of the “337”? No it doesn’t stand for the area code from Louisiana nor does it have anything to do with a family member’s birthday. It is actually named for the French vine clone 337 which hails from the Bordeaux region.

The 2007 337 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi California has 14.5% ABV and has a nice dark color to it. I got aromas of mocha, licorice and black currants. The palate had touches of blackberry, currants and a peppery spice which all worked well together. This wasn’t a big bodied wine nor was it an overly complex wine. It had light tannins and too short of a finish for my liking.

The wife said “the finish and tannins are too soft, but still likes the wine”.

Would I buy/drink this wine again? The 337 is an average wine to me and at $13 – $15 isn’t a bad buy. It just doesn’t quite rate as my daily drinker.

I give this wine 2.5 out of 5 corks!