Wine By Nine

Red Wine by Chateau Montelena from Napa Valley, California. This wine is a typically bright ruby red, with opaque density and color, which leads to a nice array of aromas: sweet black currant jam, with hints of black cherry and flowers. There is much fruit in the nose, not unexpected considering the excellent ripeness achieved in this vintage. The unique blend of soils in Ch. Montelena's vineyard leads to very pleasing layers of complexity, and there is an evident menthol-cedar note attributable to the volcanic soil component. On the palate this wine delivers intense, broad and sweet fruit, layered with spicy cherry, and even a bit of chocolate. The overall structure of the 2003 Estate Cabernet is ripe and rich, pure and well delineated. It is very much in the Montelena Estate style, in which vineyard flavors drive the wine. It is a very structured Cabernet from a great growing year, and it will greatly reward you after a few more years of cellaring. The powerful, concentrated 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (14.3% alcohol) exhibits aromas of black currant jam, tar, smoke, and forest floor. This opulent, rich 2003, while less flamboyant than the extroverted 2002, is deep, chewy, pure, and well-delineated. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025+. At the end of my tastings, Bo Barrett opened a 1986 Montelena (rated 94), and it is still incredibly young, rich, vibrant, and full-bodied. It is a terrific expression of Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon made by a master. It appears to have another 20-25 years of aging potential. -Robert Parker 93-95 Points

Red Wine by Bialla Vineyards from Napa Valley, California. The label depicts an old stone structure which is believed to be the oldest house in Tiburon, CA. It is referred to in history books as the Castle. The house sits a few hundred feet above the San Francisco bay and commands a 180 degree view of the bay. In its golden days it was a distribution center for alcoholic libations during prohibition. It is complete with tunnels, hidden caves, and has been the home of actors, authors and entrepreneurs. Today, slightly improved for today's lifestyle, it is the residence of the Bialla family. All fruit in this fine Cabernet Sauvignon is estate grown. Bialla's goal is to spare no expense in making the finest wine possible, with a maximum production limit of 500 cases per year. This is a rich Cabernet true to Napa's world famous style. Look for dark fruits and hints of tobacco, with a nice long finish.

Red Wine by Arrowood from Sonoma County, California. Arrowood 2002 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is an outstanding California Cab from start to finish. In 2002, when the harvested grapes went through the press, Richard Arrowood noted the juice's intense black fruit flavors and unbelievable aromatics and colors. He foresaw a blockbuster year for this fabulous vintage and he was right on the money. The majority of fruit for the 2002 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was grown on hillside vineyards in the Sonoma Valley; a region known to yield some of the most concentrated and balanced Cabernet Sauvignon in Sonoma County. After aging lots separately in seasoned French oak barrels and a small amount of American oak barrels for 23 months, only the finest was selected to blend and return to French oak barrels for another five months of aging. The resultant wine is a perfect vision of violet with purple hues and tones of brick-red around the edges. It shows certain richness and there is no shortage of complexity. Rich aromatics of black cherry, cassis and leather introduce the palate to a symphony of flavor profiles with black fruit in the forefront of undertones and overtones of plump, ripe fruit in this full bodied wine. The tannins are in harmony, bringing structure and balance with a long, lovely finish. This wine should evolve and age with grace throughout at least the next two decades. Arrowood 2002 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a true pleasure to enjoy on its own, and pairs well with many different foods. Serve it with grilled meats or seafood, or favorite pasta topped with a rich, bold red sauce.

Red Wine by Rubicon Estate from California. Rubicon Estate 2004 CASK Cabernet is a classic, grand style American Cabernet. It is loaded with ripe red cherry and rum raisin scents, which are telltale hallmarks of Rutherford Cabernet in a great year. Immediately accessible for its forward charm, the dense and supple tannins are inviting to experience but the rewards will come with three to six years of bottle age.

Red Wine by Whitehall Lane from Napa Valley, California. This commemorative Reserve bottling celebrates Whitehall Lane Winery's 25 years of making outstanding wines in Napa Valley. The Reserve offerings have always represented the very best barrel lots from some of the finest vineyards in Napa Valley. This classic, opulent Napa Valley Cabernet has aromas of black cherry, cassis and scents of creamy vanilla framed by toasty French oak. It has rounded, luxurious flavors of blackberry, mulberry and mocha. This delicious Reserve offering displays great balance, ripeness and offers a long, silky smooth finish. Enjoy to 2016.

Red Wine by Cakebread from Napa Valley, California. Cakebread's Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is clear, dark garnet in color with complex, spicy, cedar-like scents and background aromas of cassis and dark berries. On the palate, the texture is rich and smooth with flavors reminiscent of cassis with a hint of chocolate set in a structure of balanced fruit and tannin. These flavors are confirmed on the finish, which is marked by rich, ripe fruit and discreet impressions of oak and spice.

Red Wine by Darioush from Napa Valley, California. Composition: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot The 2004 Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic Napa Valley vintage: ripe, lush and profoundly concentrated, yet epitomizing the stylistic profile and poise that is valued so highly by this winery. Naturally smaller yields and a warmer than average season conspired to produce berries with remarkable saturation and richness, while Darioush's more moderate-climate estate vineyards ensured the finished wine's fully-developed complexity and nuance are not lost beneath extravagant ripeness. Alluring floral and licorice aromatics combine with the sweet scent of crushed blackberries to introduce this seriously sexy wine. Finely-knit tannins support a rich, full-bodied mid-palate of creme de cassis, European dark chocolate, espresso, earth and exotic allspice. Though best decanted in its youth, this sophisticated beauty will age gracefully for the next decade.

Red Wine by Hewitt Vineyard from Napa Valley, California. The 2003 Hewitt Vineyard Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon is 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and comes from the vineyard's oldest plantings. Using only the free-run juice, fermentation was allowed to extend for more than 40 days. The wine was aged in French oak barrels and racked every 3 months for 18 months before bottling without fining or filtering. This wine is a beautiful deep ruby-red color. Initial aromas of black olive, pomegranate and watermelon rind are backed by a tarry note. They open to concentrated chocolate fudge, rum raisin, butterscotch and cedar. On the palate, there is surprising elegance for such youth. Fine-grained tannins in the mouth combine with cassis, toffee and plum-pie flavors interspersed with rosemary and lavender. The finish is long and luxurious.

Red Wine by Vine Cliff from Napa Valley, California. Nestled into a hidden canyon in the prestigious Oakville appellation, Vine Cliff Winery boasts one of the most desirable locations in the Napa Valley. The surrounding hillsides above the Silverado Trail are home to the stunning vineyards that produce the grapes for rich, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignons. The aroma has classic Cabernet fruits of blackberry, currant, sweet cherry, plum, and fresh red raspberry jam. The Cabernet Franc adds bright aromatic and floral notes which complement nicely the oak spice notes of vanilla, chocolate, caramel, and cedar. The palate is flavorful with a core of sweet boysenberry, blackberry, and juicy raspberry fruits, accented with vanilla, cedar, and chocolate oak flavors. The mouth feel is smooth and rich with a luscious texture that builds with round supple refined tannins lingering on the finish.

Red Wine by Clos Du Val from Napa Valley, California. Clos Du Val's flagship estate wine, the 2004 Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon is deep purple-black in color and greets the nose with vibrant aromas of ripe black fruit balanced by a hint of dried herbs and toasty oak. The wine has a rich, powerful entry, filling the mouth with intense black fruit and spice. With its velvety-smooth tannins, this Cabernet illustrates Stags Leap District terroir. The long, lingering finish is characteristic of Clos Du Val's winemaking style. Enjoy now or cellar for at least 10-15 years.

Red Wine by Von Strasser from Napa Valley, California. This is what Cabernet is all about! It is a big, bold wine with intense fruit, a full body and a long smooth finish. Look for blueberry and cassis lined with chocolate and anise. The Estate Cab is very approachable early but will continue to improve with age and reward your patience.

Red Wine by Von Strasser from Napa Valley, California. Only the darkest, most extracted lots from our estate vineyards are used in making this wine. This wine is deep in color. Aromas of cassis, cocoa powder, vanilla and sarsaparilla are interwoven with flavors of black currant, dried plums and cherries, and chocolate. Dense, with a slightly sweet finish that lingers on. Varietal Make-up: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Petit Verdot 5% Merlot