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Wine Details
Price:
$28.00 per bottle
Description:
We have produced cuvee? (special blend) since 1996 and customers clamor for these savory blends. There are seven vineyards and five grape varietals in this lovely mixture. Merlot (55%) from Goose Ridge, Killian and Spring Creek Vineyards dominates this rich cuvee?. It also contains 25% Cabernet Sauvignon from Cold Creek, Goose Ridge and Dwelley Jones Vineyards. We added 10% Cabernet Franc from Cold Creek and Kendall Vineyards, and finished with a bit of Syrah (7.5%) from Goose Ridge Vineyard and Malbec (2.5%) from Snipes Canyon Vineyard. This cuvee? starts with a vanilla bean nose followed by a touch of spice box, cigar and berry jam with an astonishing, lengthy finish of dried fruit and creamy milk chocolate.
The 2004 Cuvee goes nicely with grilled veal chops dressed in fresh salted garlic, aged balsamic vinegar, virgin olive oil, and fresh ground pepper served with sides of sautéed mushrooms and grated zucchini with cream and basil pesto.
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Varietal Definition
Cabernet Franc:
Cabernet Franc is an accessible, spicy, herbal, dark blue grape variety that is often compared to Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc tends to be softer and has less tannin than Cabernet Sauvignon, although the two can be difficult to distinguish. Sometimes the French refer to Cabernets, which could mean either of the two grapes. Its typical aromas include an herbaceous and pronounced peppery nose, even in ripe fruit, and something eerily like tobacco. The Cabernet Franc ripens at an earlier stage, which gives it reason to exist in the Bordeaux area. In the Loire, where we find it a lot, it gives a clear red fresh and fruity wine.
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Cabernet Sauvignon:
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted and significant among the five dominant varieties in France’s Bordeaux region, as well as the most successful red wine produced in California. Though it was thought to be an ancient variety, recent genetic studies at U.C. Davis have determined that Cabernet Sauvignon is actually the hybrid offspring of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Sauvignon berries are small with black, thick and very tough skin. This toughness makes the grapes fairly resistant to disease and spoilage and able to withstand some autumn rains with little or no damage. It is a mid to late season ripener. These growth characteristics, along with its flavor appeal have made Cabernet Sauvignon one of the most popular red wine varieties worldwide.
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Merlot:
Merlot is known as a Noble Bordeaux varietal. Although it came to France in the first century, it was not named until the 1880s. Merlot was originally used only for blending, as it is soft and compliant, very useful in softening other Bordeaux wines like Cabernets. Recently in California and Chile it became popular as a 100% varietal wine. Merlot tends to be easier to grow in a variety of soil conditions and is harvested earlier in the year than Cabernet. Although most Merlots are made to be drunk earlier, there are many with complexities of a Cabernet. Flavors of plum, black cherry, violet, chocolate and orange pair well with rich, red pasta dishes, hearty chicken dishes, and any beef combination that you fancy. The perfect match of course is chocolate. Not only does the chocolate compliment the wine and vice-versa, but the essence of both flavors linger eternally.
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