Bottle Juice

Getting serious wine buffs to agree on which is the greater red wine style, Bordeaux or Burgundy, is akin to getting a roomful of economists to agree on anything. Bordeaux is the classic blend involving Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and, to a lesser extent, Petit Verdot and Malbec. It can be all of the above, sometimes with a dash of Carmenere, or it can be a combination of just a few such as St Emilion wines, which often rely on Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Burgundy…

• Topics: Bordeaux, Merlot, Burgundy wine, Cabernet Franc, New Zealand
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My wife commented "Nowhere on the bottle does this say from which grapes it is made. I'd never buy it at the bottleshop." Or something like that, because she doesn't really talk with my garbled syntax. Anyway, it's Cabernet Sauvignon ( 72%), Petit Verdot ( 15%) and Merlot ( 13%).

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• Topics: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
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…70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) came in at 13.75%"

Very sophisticated. Not as clamant&ostensible as the previous 09 Roc de Cambes, instead the wine shine by its understatement. In addition a marvellous balance, structure and length. Sensationell quality for a so-called second wine.

94pts.

• Topics: Château Léoville-Las Cases, Las Cases, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, 94/100
• Bordoverview Blog: Leoville-Las-Cases introduces Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases
• Dr Vino's wine blog: Men, Bitch, Bordeaux, Bourgogne blanc - sipped and spit
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• Blog: Home-Cooking
• Tasting Notes: 1995 and 2000 Bordeaux: Vintage Wines Ltd, Monthly Thursday Tasting
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…2009 Evil Twin Syrah-Cab blend; 2008 Bully Cabernet Sauvignon (blended with Petit Verdot)

Hard Row to Hoe 2008 Burning Desire Estate Cabernet Franc; 2008 Pinot Noir

Heaven's Cave 2009 Two Degrees Barbera; 2005 Angel's Blend.

JM Cellars 2009 Boushey Vineyard Syrah ; 2009 Tre; 2009 Margaret's Vineyard Estate Red

L 'Ecole 41 2008 Apogee Pepper Bridge; 2008 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon; 2001 Walla Walla…

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…Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look - Dark but clear ruby red with glistening streaks that reflect as held to the light. Along the edges the color lightens slight to a pinkish ruby red and when swirled thin legs of varying speeds ring the glass.

Smell - Well integrated aromas of plum, black and red cherry and other dark fruit blend with vanilla and toasted oak. Distinct black olive tapenade notes along with hints of graphite, green …

• Topics: Dominick Chirichillo, Meritage, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, New Jersey
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…surprise, the Varia Zioni di Rosso 2009 made primarily from Petit Verdot, and sold only at the winery.

Finally was the charming and inexpensive Le Volte 2009, Ornellaia's entry level wine. This is meant to be ready to drink upon release but while all the requisite elements were in place, they hadn't melded yet .

Then came lunch, and with the splendid first course, a huge plate of salumi, we were served the Le Volte 2008. All those discordant notes in the 2009 …

• Topics: Le Volte, Ornellaia, Tuscan, Sangiovese, Nick Passmore
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…25% Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petite Verdot, It is a full bodied wine with aromas and flavors of cassis, tobacco and blackberry.

WHITE: What is your favorite pairing with today's wine?

DOMINICK: This wine will pair well with most hearty meat dishes such as venison, rib eye steak, grilled tuna with a wasabi sauce, aged hard cheeses, or gorgonzola.

WHITE: In your opinion, what makes the Napa Valley so special?

DOMINICK: Well Napa Valley is known to produce some …

• Topics: Meritage, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, New Jersey
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…elegant wine that could be enjoyed on its own or with light fare. Paul added to his Petit Verdot collection and snagged a bottle of the earthy 2009 Petit Verdot that is blended with some Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. (Between the two of us, we walked out with six bottles of wine.)

Spring is now upon us and daylight is lasting longer, so plan to visit these wineries sometime soon. Enjoy your favorite wine while gazing upon spring blossoms and lasting sunsets, but mention that Virginia Wine…

• Topics: Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, 2010, Norton, Blanc
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…Cabernet Sauvignon "Block 38" ( Maipo) - 6% Petit Verdot added

Nose: raspberry and sweet black pepper

Taste: raspberry, black pepper, chocolate, juicy, with hint of vanilla-smoke, and good tannins, sweet red fruit finish with just the right amount of spice to keep it interesting ... 4+ (favourite wine of the tasting)

Pangea 2007 Syrah ( Apalta Vineyard) - 3 blocks in three kinds of soil

Nose: red licorice, hint of balsamic and chocolate, with some raspberry liqueur

Taste: …

• Topics: Casablanca, Chile, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon blanc
• Sommelier - Harpers.co.uk: This month - PeterHorton, wine consultant, Smiths of Smithfield & the Luxe
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…8% Cab Franc, 1% each of Malbec, and Petit Verdot.

WHITE: What is your favorite pairing with today's wine?

MIKE: Anything bold enough to match up with it. Steak, big sauces and finally, my personal favorite, a European style cheese plate.

WHITE: In your opinion, what makes the Sonoma Valley so special?

MIKE: Sonoma is the birth place of California wines. Plus the fact that I have spent most of my life here, makes it a special place!!

WHITE: What is occupying your …

• Topics: Sonoma Valley, Winery, Mission, California, Bordeaux
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• : Extra extra! Weekend fun in SlowNoma