Cab, Cab, Cabs.....

Winter has arrived and it sure is cold out. Up here in Buffalo we already received a few feet of snow in certain areas of the county. While some people dream of hazy days on the hammock, I look forward to settling down by the fire with a nice teeth staining red wine. In the winter there is nothing better than Cabernet Sauvignon.

The first Cabernet Sauvignon I decided to try is from Mendoza, Argentina. Trapiche 2006 "Broquel" Cabernet Sauvignon (Retail $18) is a classic example of what some of the high altitude vineyards have to offer from South America.  Broquel, meaning shield, uses hand picked grapes from select vineyards with average vines producing grapes for at least 25 years. A brand new facility with top of the line equipment was recently finished allowing this winery to create high quality new world wines. Aged in oak for 15 months this ruby red wine exhibits notes of black cherry, cocoa, leather, huge raspberry and a hint of graphite. Typically Cabernet Sauvignon from South America tends to be a little herbal and have heavy vegetative flavors like green pepper, however, in the Broquel they are more subtle with offerings of ripe medium-bodied red fruit flavors leading to a long plummy and tannic finish. This wine would pair perfectly with Prosciutto wrapped asparagus with Neufchatel cheese.

Next I jumped back to the continental United Sates and opened a phenomenal Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington State. The Chateau Ste Michelle 2006 "Cold Creek Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon retails for around $32 and is worth every penny.  The Washington state wine region is principally in Columbia Valley east of the Cascade Mountains. The valley provides the perfect growing climate for some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon in the world (just last year a Washington State wine was awarded the wine of the year by the Wine Spectator). Chateau Ste. Michelle is one of the largest wineries in Columbia Valley and has vineyards in all the AVA's located in Washington state. Cold Creek Vineyard was planted in 1973 offering old vines and silty soils allowing for more concentrated fruit at harvest. 2006 had a later harvest due to a wet spring but still produced a very nice vintage. In the nose this wine offers black cherry, chocolate, rose petal, a hint of petrol and leather. On the palate the wine has soft and lush plum and fig flavors leading to a full and round silky finish. This wine is certainly worthy of its Bordeaux heritage. Pair this wine with a roasted beet and goat cheese tower with pistachio's.

Finally I finished strong with a historic winery from Napa Valley. The Freemark Abbey 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Make sure to check out the link attached to the wine to hear the winemaker talking about the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon) is sourced from two world class vineyards in Rutherford and retails for around $35. 2005 was a good year in Napa and this wine definitely shows both the quality of the terrior and the vintage. This wine quaffs cocoa, huge black cherry, leather, raspberry, hints of tobacco and prune in the nose. Deep and intense in the mouth with a tannic dark-red-fruit flavors offering a complex yet elegant finish. Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon is simply a reminder of how great and easy drinking a good Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon could be. Try pairing this wine with beef fajitas with fresh tomatillo salsa and Pico de Gallo.

Once again thanks for taking the time to read this review. I do welcome any comments to this site and would love to hear from you. Until next time remember to keep an open mind and an open eye.