2005 beringer third century north coast cabernet sauvignon

beringer.com

the bottom line - the mass market cabernet effort of the oldest continuously operating winery in the napa valley. i found it interestingly complex, but distractingly over oaked.

alcohol - 13.9 %
residual sugar - n/a
total acid - n/a
final pH - n/a
blend - n/a
production - n/a

aroma - bright fruit, pepper, cherry, vanilla with green vegetable notes.
flavor -nicely acidic mouth feel with fruity, earthy flavors. The finish presents over the top oak that leaves and unpleasant lingering aftertaste.

price - $13.99
verdict - 85

2005 montoya cabernet sauvignon

no web site as far as I can find. I couldn't even find a cabernet label image!

the bottom line - i picked this up because it was advertised as the #1 selling wine at total wine in norfolk, va. It is a nice medium bodied cabernet. a nice flavor profile if oak is your thing.

alcohol - 14.2 %
residual sugar - n/a
total acid - n/a
final pH - n/a
blend - n/a
production - n/a


aroma - cherry, cinnamon, pepper, oak, green
flavor -sweet. cherry, vanilla, slightly bitter on the mid pallet with a chocolate cherry vanilla oak finish. medium body, nice acid structure, a bit too much oak.
price - $12.99
verdict - 86

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 martin ray angeline cabernet sauvignon

martinraywinery.com

the bottom line - a lot going on in this wine, but weak in the mid pallet, not balanced with an over the top oak finish.

alcohol - 13.9 %
residual sugar - n/a
total acid - 0.65%
final pH - 3.89
blend - 94% cabernet sauvignon, 5% zinfandel, 1% syrah

aroma - floral, green, sweet
flavor - cherry, blueberry, vanilla, moderate body, moderate tannins, long vanilla oak finish
price - $12.99
punt - 22 mm
verdict - 83

2004 bridgman cabernet sauvignon

http://www.apexcellars.com/wines.php

the bottom line - A little north of $10 and you will likely have to search it out (2046 cases produced). this is an awesome and interesting young washington state wine. available at total wine on the east coast.


alcohol - 13.0 %
residual sugar - 0.2 %
total acid - 0.75%
final pH - 3.67
blend - 83% cabernet sauvignon and 17% merlot from outlook and cervantes vineyards.


aroma - blueberry, coffee, chocolate
flavor -light, sweet. fruit forward, medium body, very well balanced, smooth long finish
price - $12.99
punt - 30 mm
verdict - 91