Che Gaucho Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Dark and light-scented. Not very good.

Guenoc California Selections Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Deep garnet color with sweet cherry pie scent. Medium bodied and fine. A decent everyday wine for $10.

Renaissance Domaine Rotier 2006

Grape varietals include: duras 30%, braucol 25%, syrah 25% and cabernet sauvignon 20%. The 'odd' grapes are local varietals that impart tannic structure and wildness, respectively. The Gaillac area is in southwestern France, west of the Languedoc. Its overall effect is a polished raisin-tinged, velvety wine that has medium-to-full bodied fruit with bracken, tar, raspberry and plum to the finish. Very nice.

Backhouse Cabernet Sauvigon 2008

Deep plum colored with blackberry jam scent and full flavor with vanilla and raspbery finish. Decent.

Clos Pegase 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Very dark and opaque in the glass with garnet edges. Big pipe tobacco, ripe black cherry with a top note of cherry and spice. Silky but not rich in the mouth with flavors of black licorice, black cherry and bark. A hint of coffee and dark chocolate on the finish round out the wine and keeps it from feeling too dense. Very nice.

Caparone Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon French Camp Vineyard 2004

Single vineyard- "French Camp" in Paso Robles. The wines are picked very ripe, fairly late into the season. Unfined or unfiltered. Black and green olive profile- Smells wild, brambly with a slight hint of barnyard (like an aged Rioja). Very exciting style! Black cherry front with a very light touch silky flavors of anise-seed, red licorice, cedar, vanilla on the finish- yet the wine remains very light and finishes cleanly at the end like a pinot noir. A pretty wine that anyone who likes to experiment with wine will appreciate!

Luna Benegas Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

From the oldest winemaking family in Argentina. Wine maker Federico Benegas Lynch makes an earthy style cab- aged in French Oak. Smells of fresh thyme and cinnamon with plum and has a very tannic finish. A little drying.

Graham Beck Cabernet Sauvignon Gamekeeper's Reserve 2007

Great complexity of black berry fruit and cassis on the nose, which is well supported by spicy mineral and cigar box flavors. This wine has a rich, juicy and intense palate with a long lingering finish.

This winemaker is committed to caring for its workers and neighbors, by providing education and housing.

Flora Springs Trilogy Meritage 2005

Bright black cherry nose with a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. Decent with a nice balance of fruit and tannin. A hint of pepper and a round warmth provided by the oak make this smooth and toasty.

Wine Advocate: The vintage is exemplified beautifully by the 2005 Trilogy. This is a superb example of this proprietary red. Beautiful deep red, blue, and black fruits all intermingle with some crushed rock, lavender, and spice box in a very scented bouquet. In the mouth, it is layered, medium to full-bodied, with sweet tannin, gorgeous purity, and length. This is a stunning wine that should drink nicely for 15 or more years. Score: 93. —Robert Parker, December 2007.

Line Shack Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Lots of fruit in the nose, black cherry black berry and blueberry. Non-descript in the center with a finish that is not memorable. Nah.

Chateau Greysac 2004 Medoc

Bordeaux. Northern Medoc 45% merlot and cabernet sauvignon with a bit of cabernet franc. Garnet colored with a nicely fruited body with fresh raspberry and a leathery finish. The body has good structure and is drinking very well.

Domaine Richou, Les 4 Chemins 2008

Cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon blend. Deep garnet red. Harvested from some younger vines. Domaine managed by Didier and Damien Richou. Not certified, but this is farmed organically and hand-harvested. Nice cherry flavor with a dry mineral finish a hint of violet and licorice on the remarkable finish. Richou wines flaunt their purity and depth of fruit. Richou wines are beautifully transparent vis-à-vis their terroir: these are wines of Anjou; even more specifically, wines of Anjou’s schist soil.

Forest Ville Cabernet Sauvignon California 2007

Inky color and rust-colored rim, the fruit is harsh and tannic. The nose is gravelly and reminds me of rotting peaches. Not interested.

Gordon Bothers 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Columbia Valley. Winemaker is Jeff Gordon. I now remember why I carry this wine. Just smelling it alone is reason enough to love it. It’s a lesson in paradox: bright and deep, rich and spiced, I haven’t yet put it in my mouth and it’s given me so much already... A very round and delicious cabernet sauvignon, that is velvety and has a tremendous finish. A steal at $ 23.99.

Wente Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Dark brick-red and ruby with medium bodied slightly oaked and fennel-scented. Also fully-fruited with a good deal of sweetness that would be a good compliment to salty foods.

Gougenheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Valle Escondido. Mendoza Argentina. Deep brick-red. Fruit bomb with black cherry, roses, prunes and a tannic finish help to make this value-priced cab appealing to all. I think this would do well in the store.

Chateau Pey La Tour Bordeaux Supérieur 2006

Vignoble Dourthe, Reserve du Chateau. Like most Bordeaux wines, this is a merlot-cabernet sauvignon blend. The nose is toasty warm with the merlot on the front. It has a rich black cherry color and red cherry flavors. The finish has a little oak and is well- balanced. Should get this wine for the fall.... Oh and did I mention, this is a 2006 a.k.a. the year in-between brilliant 2005 and stunning 2007, it should not be overlooked (though I fear it will be).

Paso Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Dark black color and big, bold, jammy fruit and ripe black cherries dominate this wine. Also 13.5% alcohol. French and American oak (25% new), gives it nice structure. A strong cabernet sauvignon that would retail under $20. Too bad it's not from Napa!

Thomas Halby Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Napa Valley. Eucalyptus and bright black cherry show well in this open, elegant wine.