2007 maipe cabernet sauvignon

this is a simple, sound cabernet from argentina at a very reasonable price point.

alcohol - 14.0 %
residual sugar - n/a
total acid - n/a
final pH - n/a
blend - n/a
production - n/a

aroma - cherry, cocoa, and smoke
flavor -light, cherry and chocolate with dusty tannins. a nice finish with lingering oak, chocolate and fruit. un-ripe tannins at the end point detract from the appeal of this wine.

price - $7.99
verdict - 85

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

2004 nelms road columbia valley cabernet sauvignon

http://www.woodwardcanyon.com

the bottom line - nelms road is the second label of the woodward canyon winery. nelms road releases are young vineyard production or wines that didn't quite rate the woodward canyon label. I found this wine unobjectionable but too sweet for my taste and lacking in complexity.


alcohol - 14.4 %
residual sugar - n/a
total acid - n/a
final pH - n/a
blend - 98% cabernet sauvignon and 02% syrah
production - 4410 cases


aroma - fruity
flavor -sweet. blackberry, raspberry, cherry, one dimensional
price - $16.99
punt - 35 mm
verdict - 85

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

2004 cellar no 8 cabernet sauvignon

the bottom line - fundamentally sound but lacks complexity.




alcohol - 13.9%
appearance - reddish purple in the glass - clear
aroma - cherry and spice
flavor - thin - cherry, citrus . moderate balanced finish
price - $9.76
punt - 34 mm
verdict - 85.