RETAILER WINE SELECTIONS — CABERNET SAUVIGNON
There are palate-coating fl avors of blueberry , currant and blackberry , with subtle hints of sweet / toasty oak . That coffee / mocha sneaks up suddenly . The fi nish is long with supple tannins , lively acidity and a nice touch of terroir . It ’ s a lovely wine , well balanced and approachable , but will cellar for several years easily . From a premier Napa winery . ($ 49.99 )
( 95 ) 2015 Maison Nicolas Cabernet Sauvignon ( France ). Maison Nicolas has been a premier shipper / importer of excellent quality , great-value French wines for years . This Pays D ’ OC- I . G . P . cabernet sauvignon has subtle fl oral aromas with nuances of currant , black cherry and plum . After a bit of aeration , some mineral notes show . On the palate , you ’ ll taste the aforementioned fruit fl avors along with some of Languedoc ’ s famous terroir . Tannins are soft and in perfect balance with lively acidity on the fi nish . This is simply a darn good bottle of French cabernet sauvignon and an unbeatable value . ($ 10.99 )
( 94 ) Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet 2015 ( California ). Always a sentimental favorite . A classic Bordeaux-styled wine with 83 % cab complimented with touches of merlot , cab franc , petite verdot and malbec . Very concentrated fl avors . Smoky , silky and smooth on the fi nish . 14 months in oak only enhances the deep black cherry and plum fl avors . A kiss of coffee and mocha on the nose . ($ 27.99 )
( 94 ) J . Lohr Hilltop Cabernet 2014 ( California ). This one just keeps getter better . 90 % Cabernet , with a kiss of cab franc and petite verdot , and wrapped in 18 months of French oak . Deep color , lingering fl avors of hazelnuts and dark chocolate . Complex , rich and full-bodied . The glass you never want to empty . ($ 44.99 )
( 94 ) Concha y Toro Don Melchor ( Chile ). Stunning , impressive over-the-top cabernet . Concentrated , rich , dark plum and chocolate that continues to open in the glass . Pleasing easy tannins on the long fi nish . Cellar-worthy . ($ 115 )
( 93 ) Hightower Estate Cabernet 2013 ( Washington ). Considered the best wine of the vintage for Red Mountain ’ s Hightower Cellars , the estate-bottled cabernet is the blockbuster everyone is expecting . Aromas of blackberry and cassis leap from the glass and lead right into an expressive , juicy palate that impresses on each sip down to the last drop . An elegant fi nish makes you ready for another drink ! ($ 39.99 )
( 93 ) Casa di Terra Bolgheri Moreccio 2014 ( Italy ). A powerful and well-textured wine from Bolgheri that is striking because of its beautiful texture and distinct long-lasting fi nish . Red fruit dominated by raspberries accompanied by powerful blackberry notes and plush tannins for support . ($ 20 )
( 93 ) Araucano Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2015 ( Chile ). After lengthy research , French winemaker Francois Lurton launched his reserve series of cabernet sauvignon from the best plots in Chile ’ s Lolol Valley . Using environmentally friendly ( biodynamic ) methods , he has created a full-bodied red loaded with aromas of black fruits , plums and spice . 2015 was a hot year in the valley , contributing a ripe palate , full tannins and a touch of sweet grilled peppers on the fi nish . ($ 15 )
( 93 ) Croze Cabernet 2014 ( California ). Defi - nitely a big boy from Napa . Not just Oakville , but the site-specifi c “ Money Road ” vineyard . 100 % Cab , aged 24 months in French Oak . Coffee notes along with sweet cherries , mocha and dark blueberries . Rich and voluptuous . A long lingering fi nish , with a hint of white pepper . ($ 59.99 )
( 93 ) Beaulieu Vineyard Reserve Tapestry 2013 ( California ). A superb wine from one of Napa Valley ’ s oldest producers . Dark , rich , with lots of black fruit ; the tannins are balanced by the superb fruit and balancing acidity . A real winner . ($ 65 )
( 93 ) Château Phelan Segur 2014 ( France ). From St . -Estephe , Bordeaux . From a well-established and highly regarded producer , from the northern reaches of the Medoc , this wine shows plenty of polish . It is well balanced , with excellent fruit , tempered by balancing acidity and tannins . Delicious now , patience will be rewarded by cellaring for a few years . ($ 45 )
( 93 ) Beringer Knights Valley Reserve 2014 ( California ). Powerful , with lots of poise and energy , this is a serious bottle of wine . Lush fruit and good tannins add to the power , and the acidity keeps everything balanced . A long elegant fi nish confi rms the pedigree of this Napa cab . ($ 70 )
( 93 ) Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 ( California ). An exceptionally elegant style of Napa cabernet . Notes of red fruit , along with darker aspects , contribute to its accessibility and charm . Truly delicious now , but a little time in the cellar will pay off . ($ 39.99 )
( 93 ) Rock View Cabernet 2015 ( California ). From Alexander Valley , an intense wine that is packed with opulent notes of black cherry , red currant and a hint grilled meat . The 2015 is complex and energetic , a classic cabernet from an underrated appellation . ($ 31 )
( 92 ) Ranch House Cabernet 2015 ( California ). Extremely enjoyable and classic Napa in its approach , with varietal-specifi c , terroir-driven slight mint notes . The red fruit-forward raspberry and sour-cherry savory notes are the backbone of the wine . ($ 26 )
( 92 ) Northstar Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 ( Washington ). More lithe than muscular ; supple yet powerful . Plenty of black fruit in this Columbia Valley wine , tempered by acidity and tannins . Ready to go now , but you should set a few bottles aside to enjoy after it ’ s spent some time resting in the cellar . ($ 40 )
44 StateWays | www . stateways . com | September / October 2017