Tasting Notes For Friday 2/17

NCWC “CAB IS KING” TASTING 2/17/12

 GRAYSON CELLARS CABERNET 2010

            This tasty Cabernet may not be as famous as King Arthur, but you don’t need a wizard named Merlin or a sword named Excalibur to enjoy it.  And at this price you won’t need a king’s ransom to pay for it.  It shows a dark ruby color with a rich nose of red cherries, raspberries and hints of black pepper. This intense Cabernet is full of fruit, providing a round mouthfeel and a soft lingering finish with hints of toasted French oak.  87 points Tobin Brothers.  $9.97.

 WILLIAM COLE SPECIAL RESERVE CABERNET 2009

                King Odysseus of Ithaca never made it to Chile during his epic travels, but if he had he no doubt would have poured this lovely Cab for his long-suffering crew to take their minds off Scylla and Charybdis, among other challenges.  Odysseus was known for his cunning, bravery, and relentlessness.  This is known for being delicious.  And we won’t even lash you to the mast and tease you with its Siren call; we’ll just pour it for you so you can enjoy the black cherry, vanilla, mocha and spice aromas and flavors.  89 points Jim Tobin.  $14.97.

 HESS ALLOMI CABERNET 2009

                Queen Elisabeth I was not a king, but close enough, right?  Through her 44 years on the throne she remained as well-balanced and accomplished as this Cab, with its full, rich flavors of blackberry and currant.   Aging in American oak barrels for 16.5 months (25% new) brings a toasty nose of vanilla and nutmeg.  Imagine the strength required to deal with your mother’s execution by your father, the plotting of various half-brothers and sisters, being imprisoned by a previous queen, being declared illegitimate by the Pope… and still becoming one of the greatest rulers in your country’s history.  Impressive, and so is this wine.  89 points Tobin Bros.  $24.97.

 HIDDEN RIDGE CABERNET 2006

                Elizabeth’s dad was King Henry VIII, and this Cab has become almost as famous around here.  Henry was legendary for his stature, strength, charisma, and of course his wives.  He established Protestantism in England, and his many changes to the country’s economy, military, government, and courts led the way for Europe to rise from medieval to modern.  This wine, on the other hand, is “dark, lush and fragrant; velvety smooth and supple with ripe black plum and blackberry accented by chocolate, spice and leather.”  It’s rich and layered, with seamless structure and a lot more harmony than Henry saw in his marriages.  93 points Anthony Dias Blue.  $34.97.

 TRINITAS CABERNET 2007

                King Tut’s tomb was stuffed with fabulous treasures, but unfortunately not with this wine.  Maybe if he had passed over with some of this in his possession he never would have bothered with his legendary curse.  Bright aromas of roses, tobacco and spice lead to a full palate of blackberries, cherries and cocoa. The mid-palate is full and leads to a bright long finish of cherries, caramel, spice, cassis and coffee.  A couple glasses of this treasure might have you walking like an Egyptian.  90 points Tobin Bros.  $42.97.

 ARROWOOD RESERVE SPECIALE CABERNET 2002

                Alexander The Great didn’t bear the title of king, but man, he kicked ass.  And so does this wine.  It shows off “a classic nose of loamy soil, creme de cassis, vanilla, and spice,” and possesses  Alexander’s purity, grace, concentration, power, and finesse. Firmly structured and tannic, but rich and full, this will evolve for decades.  You may surrender to this the way cities would sometimes surrender to him – completely, willingly, and without even putting up a fight.  93 points Wine Advocate.  $49.97.

AHNFELDT MONTICELLO VINEYARD CABERNET 2007

                Our final King is, of course, Elvis.  Young Elvis, though, not the older, bloated, crazy, drugged out version.  Every sip is another hit, a smooth, soulful, rich exploration of ripe dark fruit, subtle oak nuances, and finely integrated tannins that all come together on the rockin’ finish.  The only “Heartbreak Hotel” you’ll be checking into is when the bottle runs out.  92 points Jim Tobin.  $59.97.