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Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignons
By Darryl Beeson
A lesser known statistic is that Sonoma red wines win more
awards than Napa reds. Possibly they are constructed in a way to be approachable
sooner. The following are Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignons worth looking into.
Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon, 2000
Price $36.99
Rating 90
Dick Arrowood makes red wines that are like velvet hammers, soft on the surface
but packing a powerful punch. A spectrum of ripe red fruit expands within the
sip. Complex, the red remains on the palate for a great length on the palate.
Look for subtle complexities in the finish such as olive and soft herb. To learn
more, visit www.arrowoodvineyards.com
.
Clos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma 2002
Price $16
Rating 89
Look for flavors of Blackberry, black currant (cassis), black raspberry, plum,
blueberry, herbs, chocolate , earth, black olive, bell pepper and euclayptus.
"Cab is a big wine and stands up well to full-flavored dishes. Try this wine
with hamburgers, steak or rich, meat-sauced pasta dishes," suggests wine maker
Erik Olsen.
Olsen comes to Clos du Bois with a powerful resume. He
earned a BS in Fermentation Science from UC Davis, an MS in Food Science from
Cornell University and an MBA from the University of Washington, giving him that
rare background of both technical and business training. And for almost two
decades, with time out for a graduate research position at Cornell, he has
crafted wine at some of the most prominent wineries in California and
Washington, including Robert Mondavi, Simi and Chateau Ste.. Michelle.
Clos du Bois Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander
Valley 2002
Price $25
Rating 91
The sip begins with ripe currant, mocha and a hint of olive. Concentrated
blackberry, vanilla from the toasted oak and hints of spice develop within the
good length on the palate. Find out more at
www.closdubois.com.
Clos du Bois "Marlstone" Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander
Valley 2002
Price $50
Rating 93
The blend is 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 10% Malbec and 3% Cabernet
Franc. The color is deep and dark. The nose exhibits blackberry, clove, floral
like violets along with more concentrated, ripe fruit. The sip mirrors the nose
with complexities of tobacco, cedar and subtle pencil shavings. Coffee and mocha
appear within. The length is long and complex.
Clos du Bois "Briarcrest" Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander
Valley 2002
Price $39
Rating 93
The wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The color is deep black within ruby. A
sniff allures with toasty oak, spice and classic cassis. The sip brings huge,
ripe fruit, vanilla, black fruit and exotic spice in the very long, complex
length.
Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma 2002
Price $18
Rating 89
The nose is complex with dark fruit and mineral. The sip is ripe with flavors of
plum and mint. Kenwood is a predictable producer of some of Sonoma's finest red
wines. Serve this approachable Cabernet Sauvignon with fire seared beef, pasta
with meat sauce or with a perfect burger. Visit
www.kenwoodvineyards.com to
learn more.
Kenwood "Jack London Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon,
Sonoma 2002
Price $30
Rating 91
The elegant and powerful nose showcases big black cherry character along with
nuances of mocha and cedar, tobacco and cigar box. Bold and chewy on the palate,
we find concentrated cassis, blackberry and cedar flavors along with firm
tannins. Though still very youthful, the structure offers soft powerful tannins
while still showing elegance on the long finish.
Lake Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2001
Price $24
Rating 91
"The 2001 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits forward, focused aromas
of ripe black currant, accented by fresh mint notes," says a trusted winery
spokesperson. Black fruit also dominates the sip, augmented by blueberry, cocoa
and butcher shop complexities. Soft, but obvious tannins give weight and
smoothness to the palate.
Sebastiani "Cherry Block" Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma
2002
Price $75
Rating 95
For Sebastiani, the wine from this vineyard would be The Franchise. Great care
is taken to maintain this benchmark. The nose is dominated by black fruit and
firm mineral. Intense flavors of black cherry, maple syrup, malt, and mineral
combine forces in the long length on the palate. More to know is at
www.sebastiani.com.
Valley of the Moon Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma 2001
Price $20
Rating 88
Very subtle aromas of blackberry, black currant and mint, followed by lean,
softly structured flavors of black cherry and black currant with hints of spice
like vanilla. Says a winery spokesperson,"In addition he the primarily Cabernet
Sauvignon in the blend, as well as Merlot and Petit Verdot, Valley of the Moon
also included a percentage of Petite Sirah, which added structure to the flavors
and a hint of subtle spice to the aromas."
Valley of the Moon Winery welcomes visitors to its historic
wood and stone cellar in the heart of the Sonoma Valley. In addition to Cabernet
Sauvignon, the winery produces Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Zinfandel, Syrah,
Sangiovese and Cuvée de la Luna, a Bordeaux-inspired blend.
Darryl Beeson travels the world looking for great wine
values. In the past, he has been wine steward or cellar master for The Mansion
on Turtle Creek, Voltaire, and The Adolphus Hotel. Not one for stuffiness or
secret handshakes relative to wine, this Texan might now be described as a "ki-yi-yippee
sommelier, sommelier." Beeson reports on wine, spirits, food and travel for
numerous publications.
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