Wine #18: Cabernet Sauvignon

Finally getting to the most popular red wine today. Obviously I've had it before, but I tend to avoid it. I resent the fact that it takes up 1/4 of all shelf space available even though most of them are mediocre and taste similar.

Chateau Ste Michelle, 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
color: inky purple
aroma: tannin, cherry, vanilla
taste: it has smooth tannins, with vanilla and dark cherry pop (it was slightly carbonated). The pop went away as it degassed, which left it with more earth, tannin, and berry.
rating: Good

Wine #17: Zinfandel

A relatively common wine because I am waiting for yet another shipment. Next week will be the same thing. I have three wines that should be coming in soon. Still, I really don't mind going back and trying wine I liked the first time around.

Gnarly Head, 2007 Old Vine Zin
color: cherry
aroma: tabacco, cherry, earth
taste: a bit of tannin and some raisin. Also some berry, and vanilla that made for a good balance to start. It ended up with soft tannins, cherry, and a bit of strawberry.
rating: Good

Wine #16: Negrette

And now the negrette I mentioned last week.

Santa Barbara Winery, 2006 Negrette
color: ruby red
aroma: leather, cinnamon, cherry
taste: its smooth, a bit of tannin and earth, maybe some strawberry. Eventually the tannin drops out and the flavor becomes raisin and strawberry.
rating: Good

Wine #15: Nebbiolo

Another wine I've had before I started blogging. I wanted the Negrette wine this winery offered, and bought this wine along with it. Wineries almost always have a minimum shipping charge and it just makes sense to spread it over more than one bottle. Anyway...

 

Santa Barbara Winery, 2005 Nebbiolo

color: dark red apple
aroma: candy apple, roses, and cinnamon
taste: it started out with mostly berry, and a bit of earth and spice. The tannins were low to begin with and then grew while keeping some nice berry in aftertaste.

rating: Good