2003 peter lehmann barossa cabernet sauvignon

http://www.peterlehmannwines.com.au

the bottom line - a rather unremarkable cab from southeastern austrailia.

alcohol - 14.0 %
residual sugar - n/a
total acid - n/a
final pH - n/a
blend - 100% cabernet sauvignon

aroma - offputting aromas of green pepper and spice.
flavor -light body, flat on the mid-pallet with an over oaked vanilla finish
price - $12.46
verdict - 82, 86 ws

2004 powers columbia valley cabernet sauvignon

http://powerswinery.com

the bottom line - i could not find specific release details on the 2003 vintage, but their website indicates that the 2004 vintage "once again" includes a measure of syrah in the blend. this wine is moderate in body, has some nice flavors but falls apart a bit on the finish where some unripe tannins take over.

alcohol - 13.5%
residual sugar - n/a
total acid - n/a
final pH - n/a
blend - n/a

aroma - raspberry, chocolate, woody spice
flavor -fruity, nice raspberry, chocolate with and acidic spine on the mid-pallet. the finish is overly oaky and tannic.
price - $13.29
verdict - 84

2004 clos du bois north coast cabernet sauvignon

http://closdubois.com/

the bottom line - this was really disappointing for a $16 bottle. some interest on the nose, but one dimensional and flat on the pallet.

alcohol - 13.5%
residual sugar - n/a
total acid - n/a
final pH - n/a
blend - n/a

aroma - strawberry starburst, cherry, green pepper
flavor -fruity flat forward with a moderate tannic finish.
price - $16.49
verdict - 84

2003 thorn-clarke shotfire ridge curvee barossa

http://www.thornclarkewines.com

the bottom line - according to thorn-clarke, "the shotfire ridge range has one key goal - to build consumer loyalty by over-delivering in quality". I admire the goal and the words held true for this $20 blend.

alcohol - 14.1%
residual sugar - n/a
total acid - 7.18
final pH - 3.54
blend - 43% cabernet sauvignon, 29% shiraz, 13% cab franc, 11% merlot, 4% petit verdot

aroma - cherry, vanilla, spice, green pepper
flavor -fruity black cherry, chocolate, full and balanced, nice acid structure with a smooth lingering earthy finish.
price - $19.99
verdict - 90, WS87

2003 chateau ste michelle columbia valley

http://www.ste-michelle.com/


the bottom line - washington state cabernet. somewhat light and sweet up front with a moderate balanced finish.


alcohol - 13.8%
residual sugar - n/a
total acid - .57/100 ml
final pH - 3.63
blend - 82% cabernet, 7% syrah, 5% sangiovese, 3% merlot, 3% cabernet franc

aroma - apple, coffee
flavor -light, sweet. fruit forward, lacking in body, balanced finish
price - $14.00
punt - 25 mm
verdict - 85, WS84

2003 snoqualmie cabernet merlot whistle stop red

http://www.snoqualmie.com/


the bottom line - columbia valley blend - 70% cabernet sauvignon 30% merlot. an average wine with real problems on the finish.




alcohol - 13.9%
appearance - light red - clear
aroma - fruity, oaky nose
flavor -thin - raspberry, cherry. light tannin finish. woody - over-oaked
price - $8.99
punt - 19 mm
verdict - 79, WS85

2003 columbia crest grand estates cabernet sauvignon

http://www.columbia-crest.com/



the bottom line - very nice, well balanced medium bodied washington state cabernet.




alcohol - 13.5%
total acid - 0.57%
final pH - 3.74

appearance - dark reddish - clear
aroma - vanilla, sawdust
flavor - medium bodied, balanced - fruit forward apple. light tannin structure - nice balanced vanilla, oak finish
price - $9.99
punt - 19 mm
verdict - 89, WS83

2003 wyndham estate bin 444 caberbet sauvignon

http://www.wyndhamestate.com



the bottom line - no one can possibly enjoy this wine.




alcohol - 13.8%
appearance - dark reddish purple in the glass
aroma - strong acetone nose, licorice...rough.
flavor - thin - cherry and plum on the mid-palate . icky, earthy, dirty finish.
price - $7
punt - 24 mm
verdict - 50. even their web site is crap.