TWENTY ROWS CABERNET SAUVIGNON - 2004

After trying the phenomenal 2003 Twenty Rows Cabernet earlier this year, I couldn't wait to taste the 2004 vintage. There were 3,500 cases produced of this red which is made from 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot and has an alcohol content of 14.4%.

TASTING NOTES:

Rich color with big blackberry punch and chocolate flavors. Dark cherry on the finish and mouth drying tannins. Smooth with lots of creamy oak that echoes on and on.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

91 PTS
I would love to taste this wine side by side with the 2003 vintage. Both are excellent. Perhaps the 2004 isn't quite as lush or vibrant as the 2003 which had less Cabernet but Petite Sirah and Malbec mixed in which made for an extraordinary blend. For $15 this a complete steal. You need to spend $40 - $50 to usually get this kind of quality in California Cabernet. Highly recommended.

SUMMERS NAPA VALLEY CHARBONO - 2005

Charbono (pronounced Shar-BO-no) is a rare, bold, red grape that is grown primarily in California. Its origin is somewhat of a mystery. Some believe it is an Italian grape since it can be found in both Dolcetto and Barbera vineyards while others believe it comes from France where it can also be found.

While often used in blending, very few vineyards actually produce Charbono labeled reds. I am a huge fan of this varietal that is deeply saturated and concentrated. Perhaps the only other grape that comes close to the purple ink color of Charbono is Petite Sirah.

Summers Charbono is estate grown from their "Villa Andriana" Vineyard in Calistoga. The production is limited (about 2000 cases). The wine has an alcohol content of 13.2% and is aged in a mix of new and old American Oak.

TASTING NOTES:

Full bodied, rich, lush texture with a lively smoothness. Wonderful grape Bubblicious bubble gum scents and flavors along with blueberry/blackberry on the palate. Tremendous purple color.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90 PTS
I adore this wine. Its candy nose and bright fruit are heavenly. Really happy I bought two bottles of this one, almost regret that I didn't buy more. Highly recommend. Although I bought this wine for much less, it retails for around $28 a bottle if you buy direct from the Summers Winery.

BOTALCURA LA PORFIA CARMENERE - 2003

Made from the Carmenere grape in Curigo Valley, Chile, this red wine is very Bordeaux-like. Strangely enough the Carmenere grape once was a large part of Bordeaux blends but eventually lost its appeal to due low yields. It was first planted in the Medoc region of France and used as a blending grape. Brought over from France, it has thrived in Chile and is often mixed in with Merlot in order to take advantage of its low tannins, yet ripe black fruit flavors.

TASTING NOTES:

Pomerol-like nose of pencil shavings and dark fruit with cherries, tobacco, herbs and dry toasted wood undertones.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

89 PTS
Impressive structure and flavors. The complexity here overdelivers for its $16 bottle price. Very solid wine. If you haven't tried this varietal the Botalcura is an excellent introduction.

BARLOW NAPA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - 2000

The Barlow Vineyards estate is located between Calistoga and St. Helena. Barlow primarily produces Merlot, Cabernet and Zinfandel and has been producing wine for over 10 years.

TASTING NOTES:

Sweet berry nose of cassis with flavors of cherry popsicle on the tip of the tongue, chocolate, dried herbs and black currant. On the second day, plum and licorice flavors emerged.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS
Relatively smooth Cabernet that is medium-bodied and needs some additional cellaring before it really hits its stride. Although drinkable now, I found this wine to be overpriced for what it delivers. Twenty Rows Cabernet, for example, is far superior at less than half the cost of this $36 bottle.

CHAPELLE ST-ARNOUX VACQUEYRAS - 2003

Vacqueyras are Cotes de Rhone reds that are traditionally a mix of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre.

TASTING NOTES:

Light red in color with a Pinot Noir like body. Twizzlers candy on the nose with red licorice, cherry, spice and melted licorice on the palate.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS
Simple and straightforward. Nice candy fruit and light, soft mouthfeel. Very easy to drink. A good weeknight wine and a bargain at around $9.

HOUSLEY'S CENTURY OAK RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - 2001

Housley's Century Oak Winery gets its name from the famed valley oak tree that heads the 40 acre main site. The winery strives to make top quality wine for reasonable prices hence its motto: "Not all expensive wines are great, not all great wines are expensive."

The Reserve Cabernet is made from Lodi grapes, aged in new American Oak barrels and sports an alcohol content of 13.5%. This wine has also been highly touted by the Wine Report as one of the top 50 wines of the year.

TASTING NOTES:

Purple-red in color with nice hints of vanilla cask on the nose. On the palate, oak, tea leaves, dried herbs, tobacco and cherry flavors dominate before giving way to a tart black currant finish. There is nice complexity here and bright acidity, but the mouthfeel is a bit thin for Cabernet.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS
Good complexity and pleasant aromas. I like this wine but it does need some time to breathe to settle down the tart finish. There's a lot of acidity and enough alcohol here to suggest that this wine will improve quite a bit with some cellaring. At $19 a bottle, this is a very good value for California Cabernet.

KANU SHIRAZ WESTERN CAPE - 2002

"The name Kanu is derived from a veteran farm hand on Goedgeloof, who told of the legend of a mythical bird of promise. The story tells that when the bird appeared, all those who fell under its shadow would be blessed with a bountiful harvest."

TASTING NOTES:

Ruby red color with slight burnt toast on the nose. Syrup-like red cherry flavors with a hint of smoke, licorice and pepper. There is some sharp alcohol and tannins that dominate the mid-palate. It finishes with acidic, tart, sour cherries.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

83 PTS
I do not like this wine at all. Its medicinal undertones and artificial fruit are unpleasant. Not at all approachable. When I tasted it the second day, it did not improve. It softened a bit but was really flat and lackluster. The only thing more disappointing than the taste is the price: $19 a bottle. Complete pass and huge disappointment for a South African red. There's wonderful South African red wines at this price point or less, but this is not one of them.

EAGLE POINT RANCH SYRAH - 2001

Eaglepoint Ranch Winery is a partnership between sparkling-wine pioneer/chocolate-maker John Scharffenberger and viniticulturist Casey Hartlip. This Syrah uses grapes grown exclusively from California's Eaglepoint Ranch.

TASTING NOTES:

Rich concentration and a smooth mouthfeel with bright cherry flavors, licorice, pepper and a black currant finish. Almost Cotes De Rhone-like in its style and structure.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS
A pretty good wine but somewhat disappointing to me. Being very familiar with what Sean Thackrey is able to get out of his Eaglepoint Ranch grapes I found this red to be lackluster. It left me desiring more character and depth. I think my problem with this bottle is that there just isn't anything that made it special. An OK wine. Hard to complain too much since this bottle retails for about $15, but I still wouldn't recommend it.

BURGESS MERLOT - 2002

For 30 years, Tom Burgess has made wine in California. Winemaker Bill Sorenson has been with Burgess since its very first vintage insuring quality and consistency. This Napa Valley red is made from 100% Merlot in 100% French oak barrels.

TASTING NOTES:

This is a big, hearty Merlot with wonderful rich berry aromas. Earthy cherry flavors with notes of dried herbs and cedar oak. Excellent color and concentration, heavy mouthfeel and a good finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

89 PTS
Wonderful structure and richness with dense, dark flavors. Excellent nose that smells a little like a more expensive, complex and aged California Cabernet. Retails for around $20.