Category: #cabernet

Chateau Ferran is located in the Pessac Leognan., Graves.  This region is known for both red and white wines unlike most Bordeaux areas.  Most famous for being the home of Chateau Haut-Brion.  Being on the left bank, the predominant grape is Cabernet.

Chateau Ferran was a gift to me to sample.  I was not disappointed and will accept gifts as these any time. Thank You.  The nose emitted an air of old world mustiness.  Not in an off putting way though.  A typical aroma of wild ripe fruit that grows in the woods, berries of sorts, combined with an earthy truffle mushroom note.  Yea,  I know most of you are thinking WHAT? who would drink that, but believe me you will not be disappointed if you did.

The flavom hits you full force.  Front and center comes that earthiness immediately on its heels, the berries.  Rich and fruity.  Black berry, currant, cherry, a bit of coffee and chocolate are noted too, are all combined to make this an overwhelming mind blowing experience.  Slight hinders of cedar and smooth tannins with a long, long, long finish.   Very well structured with all the planes of flavor evenly spread.  A big dinner wine.

Enjoy

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You can almost taste the goodness from here.

Happy New Year to everyone, hope you all had as nice a holiday season as me.  I pretty much took the period from Thanksgiving to New Years as a little holiday from blogging too.  Too much goin on ya know.

In keeping with my resolution to enjoy every day and not wait for that special occasion to enjoy that special wine I  now share with you Pina Cabernet D’Adamo.  My personal favorite cab., and my thoughts as to what the others strive to be.

Pina winery sits on the Silverado trail just out of Rutherford, who could ask for a better pedigree.  The winery is owned and operated by four brothers. The family history in Napa goes back generations.  A leading and very well respected family in many different aspects of wine making and vineyard management.

Anna Monticelli is the wine maker.  And what a pedigree she carries.  Degrees in viticulture and enology, honing her craft in Bordeaux and studying under some of the best known names in wine.  She is also married to Mario, the winemaker at Trinchero.  Oh to be a fly on the wall when they are  enjoying a glass.

Now to the wine.  The nose exudes fresh ripe fruit; cherry, strawberry, a touch of leather and earthiness.  Just to give it that added something. The wine fills the glass with a color reminiscent of ravens wings flapping in the night.

And oh the joy that permeates my body as I partake of this treasure.  My mouth wants to explode, so many flavors going on- how can I define them, will have to take another sip.  That rich dark fruit, abundant in this wine.  Cherry, currant, hints of ripe blueberry.  The flavors erupt in my mouth and send shivers through my body.  A hint of oak adds more depth and structure and more flavor.  The soft, silky, velvet tannins  linger in the mouth just long enough, I absently take another sip.  The satisfaction of enjoying perfection.  Such depth, such structure, such…perfection.  Baccus never had it so good.  Thank You Pina.

Enjoy

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first course
Look at this gorgeous beauty
Christmas dinner, prime rib and all

The Del Bondio-Poncia family has been growing grapes in Napa for over 100 years.  Their vineyards in Oakville and Rutherford, now farmed by brothers Rich Poncia and Jim Del Bondio, have been producing high quality juice for  fellow wineries for as long. Now producing wine for themselves in a certified organic environment the whole family plays a role in the success of these beautiful rich wines.

Tonight I am tasting the A Meta, a blend of 50% cabernet and 50% syrah.  The wine is the color of garnet. Aromas of ripe black cherry, you know that aroma you get when you first open a jar of cherry jam.  An almost sweet smell , a floral and fruit bouquet.

As I pour the liquid into my mouth my taste buds erupt.  Oh WOW there is so much happening. First the fruit hits you square.  That unbelievable flavor, a rich cherry, plum mix that coats and soothes.  Next you notice the soft notes of coffee and chocolate, oh yes you do, followed with a very slight hint of tobacco.  Pepper and spice linger well after you have swallowed.  Firm tannins finish off.  Unbelievable.  An amazing complex wine.

Enjoy

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As you see I paired this with a piece of chocolate cake,  I wish you could taste this now, my mouth is watering