THE 12 CABS OF CHRISTMAS … DAY 6.

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Stan The Wine Man

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THE 12 CABS OF CHRISTMAS … DAY 5.

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Stan The Wine Man

♫ “On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me … ♪ FIVE LAAAY-‘ECOLE (L’ECole) ♪… Four San Juan Vineyards, three Mount Veeder, two Buried Canes and a cab from Paso Robleez.” ♫

2008 L’Ecole No 41 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla, Washington … $34.99

This cab definitely deserves to be in this longer phrase of the song. There is a lot going on with this juice. A little stink action on the nose with tobacco leaf and oak notes coming through. The aromas seem a little subdued. On the palate this wine bursts out into a glorious song. Meaty and solid with a core of dark fruit that is quite complex. Plums up front with hits of white pepper. Very dense from start to finish with a nice tannic grip on the backside. The finish features an array of flavors. Tobacco leaf, cocoa, chocolate and spice that goes on and on. 94 points

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THE 12 CABS OF CHRISTMAS … DAY 4.

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Stan The Wine Man

♫  “On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me … Four San Juan Vineyards, three Mount Veeder, two Buried Canes and a cab from Paso Robleez.”  ♫

2008 San Juan Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley, Washington … $18.99

I am very proud of our local winery here on San Juan Island. Chris Primus has established his fingerprint on the wines and many have received gold medals in some prestigious competitions. Although I like Chris, I try to keep my tasting objectivity in place. This cab is a nice effort and deserves our attention in December.

Toasty black olives and black currants with dusty tannins come through on the nose. Notes of oak and black currants with hits of green bell peppers on smooth refined tannins. Light hits of tobacco leaf and mocha on a finish that lingers with some subtle white pepper and spice. What appeals to me about this cab, is that it is smooth enough to drink all by itself yet structured enough to compliment something like, let’s say… prime rib.  91 points

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THE 12 CABS OF CHRISTMAS … DAY 3.

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Stan The Wine Man

♫  “On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me … Three Mount Veeder, two Buried Canes and a cab from Paso Robleez.” ♫

2008 Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon  Napa Valley, California … $26.99

Anytime someone wants to give me three of these, I would be more then happy to accept. This is a beauty!

Sultry aromas of black currants and blackberries with hits of perfumed cedar and tobacco leaf. Very smooth and deep on the palate with delicious notes of chocolate and tobacco leaf backed by underlying red currant and spice. This baby is seamless on the palate flowing effortlessly into a long, long finish of cocoa and tobacco leaf with hits of tannins and subtle spice notes.  94 points

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