Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Add
Huntington Cabernet Sauvignon Add
Ironstone Merlot Add
Wines are recomendations only and may not be carried by this store.

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Attributes:
Producer:

Alexander Valley Vineyards
Region:

Alexander Valley, United States
Varietal:

Cabernet Sauvignon
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2005: Tastings Rating: 88
Acidity:

tangy
Complexity:

deep, supple
Flavors:

berry, butter, camphor, cinnamon, earth, menthol, nuts, nutty

2004: CGCW Rating: 84
Acidity:

clean
Flavors:

herbs

2004: Tastings Rating: 88

2003: CGCW Rating: 84
Flavors:

cherry, cola, spice

2002: WineSpectator Rating: 79
Complexity:

rich
Flavors:

bell pepper, cherry, toast

2002: CGCW Rating: 84
Flavors:

herbs, jammy
Texture:

strong

2002: CGCW Rating: 85
Compliments:

well-balanced
Flavors:

cherries
Fruit:

fairly intense

2002: WineSpectator Rating: 82
Fruit:

ripe

Food Matches:
Cheese: Blue Cheese, Brie, Provolone
Fish or Shellfish: Sea Bass
Herbs & Spices: Basil, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme
Poultry & Eggs: Game Birds
Red Meat: Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Game, Kidney, Roast Beef, Sausage, Variety Meats or Organ Meats, Veal Carpaccio
Sauces: Red Wine Sauce
Vegetables: Potatoes, Roasted Mixed Vegetables

Cabernet Sauvignon:

(cab er nay saw vee nyon)—This highly adaptable grape grows almost anywhere it is relatively warm, but the best wines come from the Burgundy region of France (where it is a noble variety), California, and Australia. It became famous through the red wines of the Médoc district of Bordeaux and is now grown in Washington, southern France, Italy, Australia, South Africa, Chile, and Argentina. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes make wines that are high in tannin and medium- to full-bodied. Usually identified as having black currant or cassis flavors, the grape can also possess vegetal tones when the grapes are less than ideally ripe. The best wines are rich and firm with great depth, and are often aged for fifteen years or more. Because it is highly tannic, Cabernet Sauvignon is often blended with other less-tannic grapes such as Merlot.

Huntington Cabernet Sauvignon

Attributes:
Producer:

Huntington
Region:

California, United States
Varietal:

Cabernet Sauvignon
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2005: Tastings Rating: 86
Acidity:

tangy
Complexity:

deep
Flavors:

cherry, dark chocolate, pepper, sour, spice, violet

2005: Tastings Rating: 89
Acidity:

soft, tangy
Flavors:

berry, cinnamon, coffee, mocha, spice, spicy, toffee
Fruit:

fruity, juicy, ripe
Texture:

round

2003: Tastings Rating: 86
Acidity:

tangy
Aromas:

berry aromas
Complexity:

deep
Flavors:

blackberry, cassis, oak, sour, spice
Fruit:

fruity, ripe

2003: WineEnthusiast Rating: 84
Acidity:

soft
Complexity:

rich, simple
Flavors:

blackberry, cherry, coffee, plum
Fruit:

ripe
Texture:

round

2002: WineEnthusiast Rating: 85
Complexity:

rich
Flavors:

blackberries, cherries, earthy, herbal, stemmy

2002: CGCW Rating: 83
Flavors:

ripe fruit
Fruit:

sweet

2001: WineEnthusiast Rating: 89
Acidity:

soft
Compliments:

classic
Flavors:

cherries, chocolate, oak

1996: WineSpectator Rating: 78
Body:

light
Complexity:

simple
Flavors:

cherry, cola, oak, tea

Food Matches:
Cheese: Blue Cheese
Herbs & Spices: Basil
Poultry & Eggs: Duck Confit, Quail stuffed with Swiss Chard & Italian Sausage
Red Meat: Beef, Buffalo, Farmed Venison, Game, Grilled or Roast Leg, Grilled or Broiled Chops or Rack of Lamb, Lamb, Liver, Pate or Liver, Pork Chops, Variety Meats or Organ Meats, Veal, Veal Carpaccio
Sauces: Red Wine Sauce
Vegetables: Caramelized Shallots, Corn, Roasted, Mushrooms, Potatoes, Sauteed Potatoes

Cabernet Sauvignon:

(cab er nay saw vee nyon)—This highly adaptable grape grows almost anywhere it is relatively warm, but the best wines come from the Burgundy region of France (where it is a noble variety), California, and Australia. It became famous through the red wines of the Médoc district of Bordeaux and is now grown in Washington, southern France, Italy, Australia, South Africa, Chile, and Argentina. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes make wines that are high in tannin and medium- to full-bodied. Usually identified as having black currant or cassis flavors, the grape can also possess vegetal tones when the grapes are less than ideally ripe. The best wines are rich and firm with great depth, and are often aged for fifteen years or more. Because it is highly tannic, Cabernet Sauvignon is often blended with other less-tannic grapes such as Merlot.


California:

California produces the majority of wine made in the United States. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir dominate the wine production in California, but many other varietials thrive in the California climate. Many fine wines are produced in California using Mediterranean grapes.

Ironstone Merlot

Attributes:
Producer:

Ironstone
Region:

California, United States
Varietal:

Merlot
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2000: WineEnthusiast Rating: 87
Complexity:

rich
Flavors:

berry, cherry

2000: Tastings Rating: 83
Acidity:

high acidity, tart
Body:

medium-bodied
Fruit:

juicy

1999: WineEnthusiast Rating: 85
Acidity:

soft
Complexity:

simple
Compliments:

fragrant
Flavors:

berries, cherries
Fruit:

fruity

1998: WineSpectator Rating: 80
Compliments:

racy

1997: WineEnthusiast Rating: 85
Acidity:

soft
Complexity:

simple
Compliments:

pleasant
Flavors:

berry, cola, violet

1995: WineSpectator Rating: 83
Complexity:

focused

1994: Tastings Rating: 86
Acidity:

bright, crisp, lively acidity

1993: Tastings Rating: 85
Compliments:

distinctive
Flavors:

bell pepper, black fruit, herbal, herbs, smoke

Food Matches:
Pasta & Grains: Lasagna
Poultry & Eggs: Roast Chicken with Herbs
Red Meat: Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Casseroles / Hot Dish, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Wild Game - Elk, Caribou, Moose, Venison
Sauces: Red Wine Sauce
Vegetables: Beans, White, Mushrooms, Potatoes, Tomato

Merlot:

(mer loh) Deep in color, high in alcohol and low in tannins, this grape is grown mostly in California, France, Washington, New York and Chile. The aromas and flavors can be plummy, chocolaty, and even redolent of tea leaves. It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon although it is the most prevalent grape variety in Bordeaux.


California:

California produces the majority of wine made in the United States. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir dominate the wine production in California, but many other varietials thrive in the California climate. Many fine wines are produced in California using Mediterranean grapes.

Balsamic Mustard Chicken with Potatoes

Rated

Ingredients

3 tbsp (45 ml) dijon mustard
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp (45 ml) finely chopped onion
2 tbsp (45 ml) canola oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken half-breasts, cut into 1-inch (3 cm) strips
2 potatoes, very thinly sliced
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth

Preparation

1. In a shallow dish, combine the mustard, vinegars, garlic, onion, and 1 tbsp (15 ml) canola oil. Add the chicken, cover, and marinate in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

2. In a large pan, warm the remaining 1 tbsp of oil over medium heat. Add the potato slices and cook until slightly crisp.

3. Add the chicken and marinade to the pan. Cook for 10 - 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (no pink shows in the middle).

4. Add the chicken broth, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes, until the sauce reaches the desired consistency. Serve hot.

Yield

Makes 4 servings