2005 Sequoia Grove Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2005 Sequoia Grove Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - $36 California. This is one of my most highly recommended wines, this wine is the whole reason I got started in wine, so I am absolutely biased on this subject. This is what a great Napa Cabernet should be, a consistent wine, some vintages are great but most are good, this vintage is rock solid. The wine is full flavored and supple, with a soft finish that lasts. One of the aspects about this wine that I love so much is the balance, it is the calling card of this wine. The high quality grapes come from all over the valley, giving excellent dark fruit flavors backed by oak, and silky tannins. This wine is a real value at $36 when compared to similar quality wine from Sequoia's Napa neighbors, good quality cabernet under $40 is almost a joke in the valley, but this wine consistently delivers. I liked the '04 a bit better but the '05 is no slouch. The '06 is about to be released, no word on that yet. The mumblings coming from the Valley are that the '07's will be exceptional. No matter what I recommend this wine, if you like cabernet you owe it to yourself to pick up a bottle of this 100% Cabernet. And I've never poured this wine for someone that didn't like it.
Check it out.

www.sequoiagrove.com

2006 Columbia Crest Horse Heaven Hills H3 Cabernet Sauvignon

2006 Columbia Crest Horse Heaven Hills H3 Cabernet Sauvignon - $18 Horse Heaven Hills, Washington. With a deep ruby red color, and a nose of earth, spice, and mix of red cherries and dark berries, this wine really delivers. The H3 serves up soft tannins, a silky texture and a finish that lasts. This H3 is an excellent example of how to drink good for less, great quality for the price; a real sold cabernet. I definitely recommend this wine. It should be easy to find this wine, I've seen it in grocery stores. It might be hard to find this vintage, it might be getting low but the '05 was also a good wine, so hopefully the '07 will bring similar quality. A well done Washington cab.

2007 Achaval Ferrer Malbec

2007 Achaval Ferrer Malbec - $13 Mendoza, Argentina. On the nose of this wine you can smell must and dark cherries. On the palate this wine is straightforward and juicy, this is pretty much a one note wine. This wine is solid but it doesn't do much, it's not bad but it aint great, this is an entry level malbec. This malbec starts of a bit tart but after 20 minutes or so the tartness fades to reveal a wine that is simple, but decent. This one is for Angel Cabrera.