A very well put together wine. The nose features flavors of black currant, green peppercorn and ginger. On the palate it’s more black currant toasted oak and spice box and lingers all the way through the medium length finish. An excellent value at $22.
2005 Honig Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)
Dill, tobacco and currant flavors lead the way for this complex wine. The wine is on the elegant side of the spectrum for a Napa Cabernet. The tannins are very well integrated and fine grained. An excellent value at $25.
2006 Bodegas Borsao Garnacha Campo de Borja Tres Picos (Spain, Aragón, Campo de Borja)
An interesting mix of leather, raspberry, oak and earth on the nose. The flavors are blackberry and cherry with plenty of spice as well. The tannins are very present on the long finish but they work well with everything else that is going on. A great vale.
2005 Kamen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Sonoma County)
The nose has a very pleasant hint of cedar and and black fruits. The 
flavors are quite forward for a Sonoma Cab. A complex mix or black currants, spice and blackberry. This wine is sure to be one of the best of the vintage for Sonoma Cabs. At $75.00 it’s an indulgence for most.
2005 Philippe Melka Cabernet Sauvignon CJ (Napa Valley)
The nose was full of red meat, oak and plumb. The flavors were a complex mix of currant, vanilla and a slight mineral note that tied everything together nicely. The finish was spicy and lingering. This wine is nicely balanced and a great value for the money ($45).
2006 Two Hands Shiraz Gnarly Dudes (South Australia, Barossa Valley)
Nice dark inky purple color. the nose has red fruit and a touch of smoke. The flavors were very juicy with black
cherry, vanilla and spice box. The tannins were very well integrated and held on slightly into the medium to long finish. If you like big bold Auzzie Shriaz, this is certianly one of the better ones available at this price range.
Tastings
We attended a tastings sponsored by North Hampton Wines & Wine Cafe http://www.northamptonwines.com/ Friday evening in Greenville, SC. The theme of the tasting was a tour of reds from around the world. We tasted a Pinot from Oregon a Merlot blend from New Zealand and a Cab from California. A tasting like these are great fun, rather in expensive and a good way to taste a lot of different wines without having to invest in a bottle of each.
2005 Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon H3 (USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills)
Very pleasant aromas of plumb, currant and pain grille. The flavors are packed in with cherry, currant, vanilla and spice box. Slight oaky tannins on the medium length finnish. The wine is nicely balanced and will imprive with a little bottle age. At $15 thie wine is quite a value. I’ll be buying more.
2005 Yellow Tail Merlot The Reserve (Australia, South Eastern)
Dark garnet to light purple in color. The nose was a bit closed with nothing jumping out of the glass. The flavors were a pleasant combination of currant, red pepper, creme de caccao. Although it’s a rather simple wine it’s pleasant nonetheless. Good QPR for the under $9 price point.
2004 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley
The nose gives a hint of mocha and graphite. The color is a dark purple. A mouth coating dark chocolate dominates the flavor profile. The fruit flavors are dusty currant and dark cherry. The finish is long with oaky with gritty tannins. Pretty well balanced overall for the price ($20)
