Wine: Black Swan Shiraz Cabernet 2008 Region: Southeastern Australia This wine’s nose is like a warmed mulberry potpourri. It tastes of bright blackberries that have been spiced with cardamom and cinnamon.  Other than the slight kick at the end, I thought it was intriguing, enjoyable, and paired very well with monterey jack. Reviewed 8.17.09.

Meridian Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Other words on the label:  California This wine has a spicy nose of cumin and rich cinnamon.  Figs are the central fruit though there is also a small bit of pipe tobacco on the finish.  It is tart and spicy.  For people like me who love a spicy wine, it
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Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Other words on the label: Sonoma County The wine is almost brown in color.  It smells delicious, like fruit being grilled over a mesquite flame.  The taste is a combination of molasses, peach, and a rich cherry undertone.  With smokiness in every sip, it’s definitely a wine worth drinking. Reviewed 5.22.09.

Mars and Venus Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 The nose is musty but in a good, inviting way.  It smells closest to sweet tobacco from a pipe. The taste is complex and not obnoxiously so, like some wines that pack in too many flavors.  Extra ripe fig is the main player.  It is medium-bodied and has a
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Other Words on the Label:  Sonoma This wine has a full aroma of black raspberries.  It is mellow when sipped.  The flavor of pluots rises to the top.

Gallo Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Other words on the label: Sonoma 2006 This wine has a full aroma of black raspberries. It is mellow when sipped. The flavor of pluots rises to the top.

Wyndham Estate Cabernet Merlot Other words on the label: Bin 888 This medium to full-bodied wine smells richly of bing cherries and black pepper. The taste is a combination of plum and tobacco. Altogether, it is a full and near-perfect blend.

Kingfish Cabernet Sauvignon Other words on the label: California 2005 This wine was a delight to drink. It is one of those rare light-bodied cabernets that drinking doesn’t feel like swimming upstream against the current. Plum featured most prominently on the palate, with a gentle hint of chocolate and brown sugar. This mixture was mildy
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2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Other stuff on the label: Chatham Hill, NC The aroma was full of pepper and tobacco. This is a rare cabernet that is full-bodied, smooth, and also lacking acidity. It’s warming to drink, which is very nice after spending 30 minutes waiting for the bus ride home. The wine’s texture was visually
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Casa La Joya Reserve Other stuff on the label: Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, Colchagua Valley, Chile   This cabernet smells of tart raspberries, coffee, and blueberry syrup from IHOP. It tastes of plum and leather, which calls to mind Fruit by the Foot. There is a little raspberry as well.