California Cabernet Taste Off.

California Cabernet Taste Off. – Episode #242

May 24, 2007

Gary sits down with 3 very different California Cabernet.

Comments on this episode(132) Leave a comment ›

“Please send me a wristband ……I know I know….I’m just 2 years 1 m…” by Adrian
“QOTD: Water. Many of my wines are too young to be drinking now or sh…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2004 Clos Du Bois Cabernet SauvignonSonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
2004 Seventy Five Wine Co. Cabernet SauvignonOther California Cabernet Sauv
2002 Chateau St Jean Cinq CepagesSonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Links mentioned in todays episode.

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132 Responses

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May 24, 2007

CindyW
QOTD: We’re popping open wine in memory of Lance Baer, a Washington winemaker who passed away this week at the much-too-young age of 38. Tonight we’ll be toasting him with some of his wonderful Baer Ursa wine. This weekend, I think we’ll go grab a few more bottles to tuck away.
May 24, 2007

Elliot Essman
Good show. You’ve inspired me. It’s definitely California Cabernet this weekend. I will make a real effort to like it, despite residual sugar, despite oak, even if it tastes like soda pop. Matter of patriotic pride.
May 24, 2007

John Blue Label
GV,
Good basic show. Can’t always do the high end, right?
QOTD: having some grilled chicken and will open a Daniel Barraud 05 Poully Fuisse. Never tried it. Will see if the Oak Monster shows up.
May 24, 2007

Garret Nagle
Hi Gary,

Today’s episode should remind us all why you avoid CA cabernet… There’s not as much excitement to talk about, except for the fact tht for the quality, the prices seem too high. I haven’t had a CA cab since December!

That being said, to me, the Hess wines have had some good QPR. The 2002 Hess Collection Cabernet at 34.99 was one of the most polished and well structured wines I’ve had, at a friendy price for Napa. Wine Enthusiast scored it a 94 pointer, but that may be a point or two too high perhaps.

QOTD: I’m popping a nice bottle of CDP for sure this memorial day, but I wanted to know from you what you meant on Twitter about meeting on Saturday? Does this mean you are going to meet some Vayniacs in LA?

Garret
May 24, 2007

jorge
I need to get a benchmark of what the Oak Monster means to Gary, the oak didn’t bother me when I had the 02 CinqCP, I did use a vinturi wine aerator, so maybe that tamed it.
QOTD: for sure 2004 Mer Soleil Chardonnay, a bunch of bottles, 1998 Val Llach, and perhaps a 1999 Ballot-Millot & Fils Red Meursault. Then drop dead drunk.
May 24, 2007

Lars
QOTD: Probably a Sav. Blanc I got from WL.

Take a moment on Monday to thank a service man/women for their service to this county. Freedom isn’t free. I thank each and every one of you.
Tom
May 24, 2007

bruty
QOTD: Im going to be drinking Heineken
May 24, 2007

Louisiana George
need to open a 1994 Mondavi Oakville Cab – gathering with the in-laws, so might do a blind tasting with that and an under $10 cab to see what the verdict is

8 cents in, 2 to go
May 24, 2007

mas
Got tons of Cab/Bordeaux already, so everything here was a pazzz…thanks for the reviews though.

QOTD: 1997 Silvio Grasso Barolo Ciabot Manzoni, the 2006 Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc Paretai, and sampling the Rose made from the saignee of this year’s crush (50% Sangiovese, 25% Cab, 25% Syrah from Sierra Foothills).
May 24, 2007

Clifford James
BTW – GARY: I would REALLY value another blind tasting soon! Thanks. I was so impressed with that last one (Episode 197).

YUP
May 24, 2007

TSchampaert
Two shows in one day for me. Last one not really a succes for you. Pity.
QOTD: told ya: a CdP Blanc 2004, 1999 Haute CabriÃ¨re Pinot Noir and a bottle of 1995 Domaine Diznoko Tokaji 5 Puttunyos!
C ya!
May 24, 2007

Clifford James
Well, Bossman, I guess I CARE about top ten cuz I’m IN IT!!! Just feels nice to watch the video so soon after it’s produced, for some reason that goes beyond rational thought.

Not surprised at all about the Clos Du Bois: there’s so much better out there for the money. Thanks GV for your continued honesty!

QOTD: Memorial day popper: Four Vines Dusi Ranch Zinfandel … been looking forward to this, and it will only be our (my girl Darcey’s and my) second Zin ever! Good holiday all!

Thanks again Gary!
May 24, 2007

thescrewcap
I’ll probably drink beer this weekend. Maybe some Zin, I have a bottle of Dashe that I’m looking to open soon.
May 24, 2007

craig
like the standard cab episode, maybe next time through in the “reserve” of some of the big labels. I actually had a kendall jackson grand reserve napa cab 1996 that was prety darn fantastic, but i can’t stand their regular run of the mill “vitners” or what ever they call the usual stuff.

As for QOTD – we have a bottle of Spy valley sauv blanc, so it might be that…
May 24, 2007

waibeans
ok so who’s birthday is closest to GV.. I call 2 days.

11/12/75

november babies represent!
May 24, 2007

Randy B
QOTD: It’s time to pop one of my 2001 Beringer Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons. I’ll let you know what a 96 Robert Parker wine tastes like.
May 24, 2007

DK44
QOTD: Bad, cheap beer…….

But it will worth it, to be at Wrigley!

Cheers
May 24, 2007

Jeffrey
Forgot the qotd…Maybe some Finger Lakes Seyval Blanc, if it’s hot ?
May 24, 2007

Jeffrey
Let’s here it for November of 75! (You’re 12 days older than me — old man!)

I’ve been eye’ing that 1975 for a while, nice to see the review.
May 24, 2007

patrill
QOTD: moonshine wine made in my closet.
May 24, 2007

damon
Hmmm. what am I drinking this weekend?….. You told us the other day to open something great right? How bout 01 Pago del Ama? some of my own wine for sure. 03 JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenhur Riesling Auslese. If I was going to be home I’d have more.
May 24, 2007

Bossman
Top ten? who cares?

Have your techies take a look at #162, only loads about a third of the way and thats unacceptable. I can’t go on not knowing how it ends.
May 24, 2007

Clifford James
WOW, cool, I’m in the top 10 today! No big deal, I guess, but it’s a first, so … yay me!
May 24, 2007

Randy B
Top 10…it’s been awhile
May 24, 2007

Ryan D
QOTD: Probably going to be drinking beer.