Friday 3/18

A couple weeks back we had a Wednesday
tasting that featured a battle between two
local wineries. That was so much fun we
decided to do something similar on a Friday.

Thus was born the Cab vs. Cab cage match!
Same time, 4 pm or thereafter. Just $10.
7 wines plus appetizers. The battle for wine
supremacy is between Cabernet Sauvignon
and Cabernet Franc. May the best grape win!
Here’s our lineup:

Clesi Cabernet 2007, $19.97
Yorkville Cab Franc 2007, $19.97
Jocelyn Lonen Cabernet 2006, $19.97
Beaucannon Cab Franc 2005, $19.97
Levendi Cabernet 2007, $29.97
Adobe Road Cab Franc 2005, $29.97
and our bonus wine, Inspire Cabernet 2007, $39.97

We’re showing no scores on these wines, so
as not to influence any opinions. All we’ll say
for now is that they’re all delicious, and that they
add up to about $180 worth of wine. Come on in
and judge for yourself which one is the most spectacular!

Or call it a 7-way tie if you want. Up to you.

Here are Jim’s Tasting Notes:

CLESI CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007
On opening this is as big and brawny as George Foreman, but it softens a bit with decanting.  See if you get blueberries, violets and cacao on the nose, following through with blackberries, dried cherries and cocoa on the palate.  Big George was an Olympic and World Champion and is considered one of the hardest punchers ever.  Famous for his memorable loss to Ali in 1974’s “Rumble in the Jungle,” George regained the title later and became the oldest heavyweight champ ever at what age?  88 pts. Tobin Bros.  $19.97.
YORKVILLE CABERNET FRANC 2007
Like Rocky Marciano, Cabernet Franc deserves more attention than it gets.  The alluring nose is much prettier than Rock’s, showing black cherry, plum, coffee and tobacco notes.  Flavors of dusty strawberry and black cherry fuse with woody earth and pepper.  Rocky is the only heavyweight champ to finish his career undefeated, and beat (among others) Joe Louis and Archie Moore.  He was famous for a devastating right cross that had what nickname?  92 points Food & Beverage World.  $19.97.

JOCELYN LONEN CABERNET 2007
With fruit from the famous Stagecoach Vineyard, this is as consistently good as Smokin’ Joe Frazier, with bright, lush berry fruit, touches of cedar, and soft tannins.  Another Olympic and World Champ, Joe was one of the 10 greatest heavyweights.  His incredible victory in the 1971 “Fight of the Century” was against whom?  89 pts. Tobin Bros.  $19.97.

BEAUCANON CABERNET FRANC 2005
Aromas burst from the glass like Sugar Ray Leonard burst onto the boxing  scene.  Check for blackberry, cocoa, smoky tea and toasty oak.  Red and black berries on the palate are accented by dark earth notes and minerality.  Flamboyant in the ring, Sugar Ray won titles in 5 different weight classes and was the first to earn over $100 million.  Which boxer surrendered mid-fight to him by saying “No Mas?”  89 points Tobin Bros.  $19.97.

LEVENDI CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007
As balanced as Muhammad Ali, this beauty’s nose might remind you of pie a la mode, with classic cab flavors of dark berries, vanilla and minerals.  Also an Olympic and 3-time World Champ, Ali was as famous for his trash talk as his unorthodox style.  What major magazine named him the “Sportsman of the Century?”  92 points Tobin Bros.  $29.97.

ADOBE ROAD CABERNET FRANC 2005
This is as taut and firm as Sugar Ray Robinson, and needs as much time to wake up as his opponents often did.  Aromas of smoke, plum and cedar lead to dense and focused flavors of fruit and earth, along with chewy tannins.  Decant for hours!  Sugar Ray is widely regarded as the best boxer of all time (an opinion shared by Ali, Leonard, and Joe Louis).  A pro for 26 years, he was 128-1-2 and was fluid, fast and powerful.  What 2 divisions did he fight in?  87 points Wine Spectator.  $29.97.

BOYANCI INSPIRE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007
Focused and classy as Joe Louis, this shows currant, blackberry and herb flavors accented by cedar and anise.  Considered the greatest puncher and greatest heavyweight of all time, Joe successfully defended his title a record 25 times.  He was also the first African-American to be a nationwide hero, becoming an anti-Nazi focal point by beating German boxer Max Schmeling in 2 minutes, 4 seconds in 1938.  In what sport did Joe break the color barrier in 1952?  92 pts. Wine Spectator.  $39.97.