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Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $28
Producer: Conn Valley Vineyards
Region & Country: St. Helena, California, USA
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: N/A
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 5/9/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home; 10/12/2009
Appearance: Deep dark red-purple; full-bodied
Nose: Slightly hot at first; rich berry scent with cherry
Taste: Light, average-plain; berry taste, but slightly watered down; tastes a little like sugar-free grape Kool-Aid
Finish: Lingers slightly, but lightly; light juicy sweetness
Overall Impression: I like to find wines that can stand alone or be paired with food. This wine is definitely a dinner wine. I really wouldn't want it alone. It has a good palate cleanser and a lot of great berry scents, but it still has that mild grape Kool-Aid flavor that really threw me off. It's just average to me.
Overall Rating: 88/100
Overall Value: ** / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2000
Price Range: $10
Producer: Agustinos Estate Vineyard
Region & Country: Cachapoal Valley, Chile
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: N/A
Place & Date Purchased: Alpha Food, Liquor & Gifts - Chicago, IL - 5/15/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 8/21/2009
Appearance: Very dark red - almost black; very cloudy; full-bodied
Nose: Berry jam scent, but somewhat hot
Taste: Some berries, somewhat sour and heavy
Finish: Dry and lingers slightly; the finish is the best part
Overall Impression: So I took a chance by purchasing this wine. The bottle many have not been touched for quite some time. Plus, I'm suspicious that there may have been a little cork rot. I just needed to let this one breathe... a lot! Seriously! I wasn't very impressed by it. It was just way too sour and very hot even after I gave it plenty of time to breathe.
Overall Rating: 70/100
Overall Value: * / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $20
Producer: Clos La Chance Winery
Region & Country: San Martin, CA
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: WineClub
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 12/8/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 5/5/2009
**HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO**
Appearance: Raspberry red and full-bodied
Nose: Fruity, earthly and sweet scents
Taste: Light, fruity & sweet; Very juicy taste
Finish: Fruitiness lingers; not acidic
Overall Impression: This Cabernet Sauvignon seems to just wet the mouth perfectly. It's so juicy and fruity, but the best part is that it's not acidic at all. It's just lush, delicious and sweet. I think this would make a great summer cab.
Overall Rating: 97/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2004
Price Range: $17
Producer: Cecchetti Wine Company
Region & Country: Graton, California
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: N/A
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 2/7/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 4/21/2009
Dinner: Giordano's Stuffed Pizza
Appearance: Deep red, but slightly brown; medium bodied
Nose: Copper/Mineral scent, like a penny; a little hot
Taste: Copper and ash; almost like blood; tastes hot also, even after airing
Finish: Lingers with an ash taste and acidic; it just leaves a horrible after taste
Overall Impression: Not impressed at all. It's been a while since I have had a Cabernet that was just not good. There may be a fruit or berry taste, but I could never tell you which one. It was just overall metallic and not very good. This seriously should have been a "Critter" wine.
Overall Rating: 70/100
Overall Value: *.5 / 5 Stars
Greetings and Holiday Wishes!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday. I certainly did. Now that the New Year is approaching, you should definitely be ringing it in with bottles of bubbly. Here's what entertained my Christmas day.
Vintage: 2004
Price Range: $10
Producer: Henri Moreau
Region & Country: Bordeaux, France
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon from Medoc
Recommended By: Wine Club
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 10/08/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 12/25/2008 - Merry Christmas! Ho Ho Ho!!!
Appearance: Full-bodied, deep red garnet
Nose: Lingering scent of plum; sweet scent
Taste: Smooth, sweet and clean; this has the taste of raspberry
Finish: Sweet and slightly acidic
Overall Impression: This cab is sweet but in a good way. I did feel like I needed to eat something salty with it to counter the sweetness. It definitely is delicious and very juicy. I liked it and for the price, it's even better!
Overall Rating: 90/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $9
Producer: Vampire Vineyards
Region & Country: Creston, California, USA
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: N/A
Place & Date Purchased: World Market, Evanston, IL - 10/26/2008
Place & Date Tasted: The home of Dr. Lawrence Swain and wife, Mrs. Erika Swain - 10/26/2008
** A little after dinner wine.
Appearance: Garnet, slightly cloudy; lot of legs
Nose: Light; Red cherry and plum
Taste: Black cherry; Erika noted that she tasted a "hint of celery." This could be true, but I think it's also fair to note that Erika had a cold.
Finish: Slightly dry and the taste lingers
Overall Impression: This wine is good for a seasonal thing. For example: If you go to a wild Halloween party with over 15 people, bring this wine. If you are having a dinner party with friends, don't bring this wine. It will not impress very much. It's a good wine, but I have had so much better for the same price.
Overall Rating: 83/100
Overall Value: **.5 / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $17
Producer: Maryhill Winery
Region & Country: Goldendale, Washington, USA
Grape Variety: Red Combination: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc
Recommended By: Maggie Noonan of WineStyles, Evanston
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 09/17/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 09/30/2008
Dinner: Variety of cheeses and salami
Appearance: Cloudy, ruby red
Nose: Clean & powerful, spices and vanilla
Taste: VANILLA and sweet
Finish: Sweet with medium acidity
Overall Impression: If you like vanilla in anything, this is your wine. The taste was sweet and strong with vanilla, but it also had a great finish to it. I liked that it was sweet yet spicy at the same time. Great wine!
Overall Rating: 92/100
Overall Value: ***.5 / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $10
Producer: Top Wine Chile
Region & Country: D.O. Colchagua Valley, Chile
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: N/A
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 09/09/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 09/22/2008
Dinner: Italian sausage stuffed portobella mushrooms and pasta
Appearance: Deep ruby red
Nose: Hot scent, slightly fruity with a little pepper
Taste: Lightly fruity, cherry taste
Finish: Lingers, acidic and dry
Overall Impression: You can't go wrong when your bottle comes in a sack, right? It's right there on the bottle. This is a good dinner wine, even though it did not go very well with the dinner made. I'm sure it would have been better with something lighter. I do think that this is the kind of wine that would do better with food than alone.
Overall Rating: 88/100
Overall Value: ***.5 / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $16
Producer: Vina Santa Alicia
Region & Country: Maipo Valley, Chile
Grape Variety: Malbec
Recommended By: N/A
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 09/09/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 09/11/2008
Dinner: Barbecue chicken wrap
Appearance: Thick, blood red; very opaque
Nose: Vibrant chocolate with fruity tones
Taste: Complex flavor and very bold
Finish: Lingers with spice and slightly dry
Overall Impression: I loved this wine. There were so many flavors in just one sip. It had very complex tastes and such boldness. This is definitely one to pick up. KB's Malbec was good, but this cab is awesome!
Overall Rating: 97/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2003
Price Range: $22
Producer: Chateau Saint Christoly
Region & Country: Saint Christoly de Medoc, France
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: N/A
Place & Date Purchased: Eiffel 38, Paris, France - 08/20/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Right across the street was the Eiffel Tower - 08/21/2008
Dinner: Duck patte, steak and pieces of Ray's blue cheese crumbles
Special Note: I had crazy dreams where I was dizzy and seeing all kinds of colors. When I woke up the next morning, I was so dizzy. Every time I would turn in bed, the room would spin. I think the blue cheese may have been psychedelic blue cheese.
Appearance: Burgundy
Nose: Light, but not much of a fruit scent
Taste: Sweet, but also slightly bitter
Finish: Dry with very bitter aftertaste.
Overall Impression: I have had so much better. Being that this was my first wine to drink in France, I expected a little bit more. It was an experience.
Overall Rating: 80/100
Overall Value: *** / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $8
Producer: Concannon Vineyard
Region & Country: Arroyo Grande, California, USA
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: N/A
Place & Date Purchased: Dominick's Grocery, Chicago, IL - 07/21/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 07/21/2008
Appearance: Shiny, black cherry tone
Nose: Light and fruity, yet warm
Taste: Light, sweet and full
Finish: Warm on the tongue with light flavor
Overall Impression: I find this is a very versatile wine. You can have it alone or with dinner. I thought it had a great taste and I liked it.
Overall Rating: 88/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $7
Producer: Five Rivers Winery
Region & Country: Hopland, California, USA
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: N/A
Place & Date Purchased: Jewel Grocery Store, Chicago, IL - 06/06/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 07/02/2008
Appearance: Glossy, ruby red
Nose: Fruity and sweet-like scent
Taste: Very sweet & fruity-cherry
Finish: Starts to warm the tongue
Overall Impression: Five Rivers is a good, cheap wine. Maybe good to bring to a party because it is cheap. There was nothing great in particular. It was pretty plain.
Overall Rating: 84/100
Overall Value: *** / 5 Stars
Vintage: April 2003
Price Range: $20
Producer: Pretty Sally Estate; McKay-Davies-Corney Family
Region & Country: Melbourne, Australia
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: Wine Club
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 02/15/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 02/20/2008
Appearance: Reflective purple
Nose: Extremely fruity; scent of cherries
Taste: Smooth, sweet, very fruity and cherry
Finish: Fruity and had a semi-candy tasting finish
Overall Impression: It was fair, yet dry. It had a nice fruit flavor, but I didn't think it was worth the price.
Overall Rating: 83/100
Overall Value: **.5 / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $18
Producer: Hess Collection Winery
Region & Country: American Canyon, Napa Co., California, USA
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: N/A
Place & Date Purchased: Dominick's Grocery, Chicago, IL - 02/12/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 02/15/2008
Appearance: Dull purple
Nose: Fruity, sweet; It has a soft scent
Taste: Full, tangy and full bodied
Finish: Dry and slightly acidic
Overall Impression: Even though the first taste is full, the after-taste is very acidic and bitter. It's not a very smooth finish or wine.
Overall Rating: 84/100
Overall Value: *** / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $20
Producer: Francis Coppola - Diamond Collection
Region & Country: Geyserville, California, USA
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: N/A
Place & Date Purchased: Dominick's Grocery, Chicago, IL - 02/12/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 02/14/2008
Appearance: Dark plum color
Nose: Fruity aroma
Taste: Dry and fruity
Finish: Acidic and warm
Overall Impression: Even though it is a little dry, I have to say it is still a good wine. It has a great flavor.
Fun Note: Happy Valentines Day!!!
Overall Rating: 89/100
Overall Value: ***.5 / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $16
Producer: Toasted Head Winery
Region & Country: Woodbridge, California, USA
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: N/A
Place & Date Purchased: Dominick's Grocery, Chicago, IL - 02/12/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 02/12/2008
Appearance: Solid dark red
Nose: Light fruit scent; has lots of spice aroma
Taste: Spicy, oakey and has such a great kick
Finish: The fruit taste comes, settles and then just fades away.
Overall Impression: This is a nice casual wine that you can have with dinner and it would be great to bring to a party. Also, who can resist a bear with flames coming out of its mouth?
Overall Rating: 92/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2004
Price Range: $20
Producer: Geyser Park Winery
Region & Country: Geyserville, California, USA
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: N/A
Place & Date Purchased: Dominick's Grocery - 12/21/2007
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 12/23/2007
Appearance: Deep red; almost purple
Nose: Hot, yet spicy scent; light hint of fruit
Taste: Smooth and sweet; you can definitely taste the cherries
Finish: Taste just lingers and coats the mouth
Overall Impression: The scent throws you off because you think it's going to be a hot wine, but it was delicious. It was very good with Havarti cheese. I would definitely get this one again, but more for me. I wouldn't want to share this at a party!
Overall Rating: 96/100
Overall Value: ****.5 / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $14
Producer: Vina Ventisquero - Root: 1 Wines
Region & Country: Colchagua Valley, Chile
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: N/A
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 11/10/2007
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 11/13/2007
Appearance: Deep red
Nose: Citrus aroma, spicy & strong
Taste: Way too strong! Way too hot!
Finish: Bitter; it has a bite that lingers
Overall Impression: This wine is dubbed as the people of Evanston, IL favorite. I have some questions for the people of Evanston and that's...WHY? May make for a good sangria but alone, it's not good. It was just too strong and too much. I may revisit this wine and see what would happen if I let it breathe a little more.
Overall Rating: 71/100
Overall Value: **/ 5 Stars
Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $13
Producer: Ravenswood Winery
Region & Country: Sonoma, California, USA
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: N/A
Place & Date Purchased: Dominick's Grocery, Chicago, IL - 10/31/2007
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 10/31/2007
Appearance: Very dark, ruby red
Nose: Spicy aroma
Taste: Smooth, yet crisp
Finish: ...
Overall Impression: It's not bad, but I've definitely had better. I'm not a fan.
Overall Rating: 74/100
Overall Value: **.5 / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $20
Producer: Axis Vintners
Region & Country: Graton, California, USA
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: Wine Club
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 10/15/2007
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 10/18/2007
Appearance: Deep red; slightly opaque
Nose: Light & fruity
Taste: Very flavorful and smooth
Finish: Coats your tongue smoothly
Overall Impression: Great! Enjoyed the smoothness and the fruit flavor.
Overall Rating: 92/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2006
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