Attributes:

Hogue Cellars

Columbia Valley, United States

Cabernet Sauvignon

750 ML

2002: WineSpectator Rating: 89

blackberry, cherry, currant, smoky

2002: Tanzer Rating: 87

cassis, licorice, mint, raspberry, spices, spicy, violet

sweet

dense

2001: WineSpectator Rating: 91

rich

cherry, currant

2001: WineEnthusiast Rating: 87

blackberry, cherry

ripe

2001: CGCW Rating: 86

herbs, oak, pepper

ripe

2000: WineEnthusiast Rating: 93

crisp

black cherry, blackberry, cassis, currant, dark chocolate, oak, peppery, plum, smoky, spices, vanilla

huge

2000: WineSpectator Rating: 88

rustic

berry, cherry, currant

ripe

dense

2000: Tastings Rating: 89

lively acidity

bitter, black cherry, oak, pepper, violet

good concentration, ripe

dense

Food Matches:

(cab er nay saw vee nyon)—This highly adaptable grape grows almost anywhere it is relatively warm, but the best wines come from the Burgundy region of France (where it is a noble variety), California, and Australia. It became famous through the red wines of the Médoc district of Bordeaux and is now grown in Washington, southern France, Italy, Australia, South Africa, Chile, and Argentina. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes make wines that are high in tannin and medium- to full-bodied. Usually identified as having black currant or cassis flavors, the grape can also possess vegetal tones when the grapes are less than ideally ripe. The best wines are rich and firm with great depth, and are often aged for fifteen years or more. Because it is highly tannic, Cabernet Sauvignon is often blended with other less-tannic grapes such as Merlot.

The Columbia Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) is the largest in the state of Washington. It includes the Yakima Valley, Red Mountain, Walla Walla, and Horse Heaven Hill AVAs within its boundaries.

Attributes:

Earthworks

Barossa Valley, Australia/New Zealand

Syrah / Shiraz

750 ML

2005: Tanzer Rating: 90

bright, fresh, soft

powerful

candied, cherry, earthy, jammy, raspberry, red berry, strawberry, violet

juicy, ripe

2005: WineAdvocate Rating: 89

full-bodied

rich, supple

classic

earthy, pepper, spice

juicy

fleshy

2005: WineSpectator Rating: 87

dense

2004: Tanzer Rating: 88

bright, fresh, tangy

berry, bitter, cassis, cherry, rose, spicy, tobacco

juicy

2004: WineAdvocate Rating: 87

deep

Food Matches:

North of Adelaide, this relatively warm region of South Australia is home to Australia’s largest winery. It is famous for its robust Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon as well as rich Sémillon and Riesling (both of which are grown in the cooler hills).

Originally grown in France’s Northern Rhône Valley (where it is a noble variety) this grape has spread to Australia, California, Washington, Italy and Spain. In the Rhone region this grape produces deeply colored wines with full body and firm tannin, however in Australia, where it is known as Shiraz, the wines are lighter and fruitier. Aromas and flavors for these wines vary as much as their geographical breadth suggests: berries, smoked meat, bell peppers, even tar.

Australian name for the grape known as Syrah in France.

Attributes:

Domaine Marc Kreydenweiss

Alsace, France

Pinot Blanc

750 ML

Food Matches:

(ahl zas) Just across the Rhine River from Germany, this region in northeastern France produces wines that are unique in many ways. They are made with grapes native to Germany; their bottles are graceful and long-necked; they are relatively inexpensive; and their labels carry the names of the grape as well as the place-name. Alsace Riesling is far drier than its German counterpart, although it has a fruity aroma. IT can be enjoyed young, but a good Riesling will age and improve for ten or more years. Alsace Pinot Blanc is a light-bodied wine that can be extremely dry or medium-dry. Tokay Pinot Gris is made from the Pinot Gris grape, known more famously in Italy as Pinot Grigio. In Alsace these wines are rich, spicy, and full-bodied and a good match with spicy meat dishes as well as sweet and sour flavors. In Alsace, the Gewurztraminer grape makes wines that are spicy, intense, low in acidity and high in alcohol.

This fairly neutral grape has a high acidity and low sugar content that translates into dry, crisp, medium bodied wines found mainly in Alsace, Austria, northern Italy and Germany.