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Well for starters their name. A Kaiken is a South American goose which flies over the Andes, traversing the lands between Chile and Argentina. This is why the folks at Montes, a well respected Chilean winery, chose this name for their Argentinean project. The idea was to take the world class grapes of Argentina and couple it with the experience of both Chilean and Argentinean winemakers to produce praise-worthy wines at reasonable prices. The verdict? Success!

What is a Meritage?  “Meritage,” pronounced like “heritage” is an invented word that combines the words “merit” and “heritage”.  A Meritage wine is defined by the Meritage association as a hand-crafted wine blended from the traditional “noble” Bordeaux varietals including: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot and Malbec. 

Geyser Peak Reserve ‘Alexandre Meritage’, Sonoma County, California, 2002

A deep, dark, entirely opaque color lends clues to the complexity of this wine. The aromas are of blueberry with surprising hints of herbaceous mint. Think dark on the front notes as I’ve noticed ripe cherry and blackberry. On the back there comes a battle of juicy fruit, versus tannin and oak.  Both add a multilayer complexity to a stellar wine.  Approachable, but expect a finish that keeps going as you let this Meritage breathe; and let it breathe you shall.
Trentadue  ‘La Storia’ Meritage 2003 
 
A Bordeaux blend of 74 percent Merlot, 17 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, and 9 percent Cabernet Franc. This wine is well balanced, smooth and deep.  An “almost” Merlot with huge fruit and outstanding tannic structure. This choice displays Bordeaux grapes at their best.  Very dark, inky color, this Meritage exhibits dense and concentrated fruit with sweet oak flavors.  Normally ratings and awards don’t mean much to me, but these must be noted as they are from some of the best in the country.  DOUBLE GOLD, BEST OF PREMIUIM RED - San Francisco International Wine Competition   DOUBLE GOLD, BEST PREMIUM RED - 2006 San Francisco Competition  GOLD - 2006 Orange County Wine Competition  98 POINTS, BEST MERITAGE IN CALIFORNIA - 2006 California State Fair
Chateau Ste Michelle, ‘Artist Series’, Meritage, 2001
Wow, wow, wow…. I don’t know that there are better words to describe this pinnacle of true Meritage wines.  A nose of anise, roses, and rich cherry, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon,  Merlot, and  Malbec, is an overpowering, highly dynamic wine.  Almost hard water-esque, it covers the tongue with notes of dark fruit, tobacco, and anise.  A full-bodied wine, this intense muscular finish will leave you wanting cases. Drink it for a decade with the best steak you can find!

I Consider myself a serious beer drinker and a novice in the world of wine drinking and my budget is definitely smaller than that of a serious wine connoisseur. The bottles I usually buy range between $10-$20, with a $20 Bottle being a bottle I buy for a special occassion. With this said I bought two bottles of the Simi 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon to enjoy over the Thanksgiving Holidays and paid $20 a piece for them.

My wife and I had a Simi wine with her father in Florida a couple of years ago. I honestly don’t know what the type was we had then.  It was a red and she liked it a lot and is always saying, “Get Simi, Get Simi.”  So, when I was doing my alcohol shopping for Thanksgiving this year and I had already gotten my beer selections of Troeg’s Mad Elf Christmas brew and Atlantic Brewing Company’s Coal Porter, I went for my wine and saw Simi and decided to splurge for my lady.  We had the first bottle with my parents and brother on Thanksgiving day.  We enjoyed the wine before our annual turkey dinner while we were snacking on some of my mom’s wonderful mexican dip and chips and hummus. The wine was definitely a hit with my family.  My wife loved it as much as she remembered and it fulfilled her “Get Simi, Get Simi” cravings.  My brother who probably has the most sophisticated tastes out of the group there loved it and mumbled something about berries and tasting wet and I thought hmmm, isn’t it liquid, but that’s beside the point.  I loved it and would describe it as being very smooth with no offensive bitter flavors, which I sometimes hear as being tannins as well as a nice berry taste that stuck with me for the period between sips.  I love wines that are smooth bordering on velvety with no bitterness and offering my tongue some suddle flavors to enjoy.  I definitely found that with this wine and would utter my wife’s words “Get Simi, Get Simi” along with her.  The second bottle was enjoyed two days later at my mother-in-laws house.  My brother-in-law got most of it and thought it was a good wine for the price.

Robin Lail is a person we affectionately describe as ‘Napa Royalty’. Her great granduncle Gustav Niebaum founded Inglenook Vineyards back in 1879, a winery which was considered by many to be the finest in the country. Her father, John Daniel Jr., worked along side the legendary Robert Mondavi to lay the first building blocks of what is today the Napa Valley appellation. After a five year apprenticeship with Mondavi beginning in 1977, Robin went on to co-found both Dominus and Merryvale. Along with her husband Jon, she sold her Dominus and Merryvale interests, and opened Lail Vineyards in 1995. They make three wines at Lail, and they’re all top notch. 

J. Daniel Cuvee, 2003 - $135

Lail labels the J. Daniel Cuvee, named for John Daniel Jr., their ‘flagship’ wine, and when you taste it, you can see why. The 2003 offering is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, but sacrifices none of its elegance for the depth and muscle it displays. I know what you’re thinking: ‘Hey! Doesn’t cuvee mean it’s a blend'’ Well, yes it does, though not a blend of different grape varietals. In this case the word cuvee implies a blend of different appellations within Napa; both Howell Mountain and Oakville.
 
Production is small (just 800 cases!), but we at the Iron Bridge grabbed enough to go around. When you try this wine, look for plum and cassis on the nose, along with earth and smoke from long aging in the primarily new French oak barrels. There are smooth tannins on the palate, and while it’s big California Cab, its balance makes this wine remarkably approachable now. So grab a couple bottles and decant one now to drink with a nice, juicy steak, and lay the others down for 5 to 15 years.
 
Blueprint, 2003 - $55

Blueprint is Lail’s proprietary blend of Cabernet and Merlot, and is intended to be a simpler version, or ‘outline’, of the J. Daniel Cuvee. Like its big brother, Blueprint is full and elegant, and the grapes hail from both Howell Mountain and Oakville, but with a little St. Helena, and Yountville mixed in. At Lail, the staff prides themselves on producing wines that compliment a meal, and this wines depth of character makes it a great accompaniment for everything from grilled meats to roast chicken and salmon. 

This wine is full bodied with lots of earthy fig flavors, and plum on both the palate and the nose. Aged for 20 months in 40% new French oak, the wine has a smoky, beef jerky bouquet. Winemaker Philippe Melka produced a little more of this than the J. Daniel Cuvee, but at 1400 cases, it’s not exactly Beringer White Zin. So run, don’t walk, to the Iron Bridge and pick up some of this delicious wine. 

Georgia, 2004 - $100 

Back in 2002, Lail Vineyards expanded their tiny selection, and moved in a completely new direction by bottling their first white wine. The %100 Sauvignon Blanc was released to celebrate the birth of Robin Lail’s granddaughter, Georgia Eileen Dixon. Created in a more Bordeaux-like style than most other fruit forward, California Sauvignon Blancs, this wine displays a citric, floral nose, along with a crisp acidity and refreshing minerality. Look for tropical fruit and vanilla on the palate, with only light oak characteristics, despite being oak aged for a lengthy 21 months.  

Expensive Sauvignon Blanc you say’ Well yeah, but trust me it’s worth it, and at a minuscule 180 cases, you may want to jump on this while it’s still around. Drink this wine only slightly chilled with white fish and meats over the next 5-10 years.

Mount Eden Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon

Santa Cruz, California, 2002 - $40

It’s always nice to save money on a good value bottle. Sometimes, however, it can be satisfying to splurge ever so slightly. Unfortunately, the market is flooded with $30-50 wine which isn’t worth the price tag, and California Cabernet is no exception. That’s why I’ve decided to recommend this Mount Eden Cab: a wine that you can feel comfortable investing in.

The unique location of this vineyard, especially for Cabernet vines, contributes greatly to the character of its wine. At 2000 feet above the Santa Clara Valley, the costal climate is cool, providing refreshing acidity and moderate alcohol. The 2002 growing season was cool and long; the winemaker’s expectations were high. The nose is reminiscent of lead pencil and dark berries, while the palate is full of earthy currant and licorice. Barrel tannins are apparent throughout the long finish, along with pepper and bitter chocolate.

The winery recommends cellaring this wine for as much as 15 years, though I maintain it is quite enjoyable now, especially after some air exposure. Throw it in a decanter and drink it an hour or two later with a thick, juicy steak.

Duckhorn Vineyards Estate Grown Cabernet

Napa Valley, California, 2003 - $100

Who doesn’t like to spoil themselves from time to time’ Well if you’re having trouble deciding on a bottle to do it with, I’m here to help. Few things are more indulgent and decadent than a really nice California Cabernet, and Duckhorn has one of the best. So if you’re looking for a big meaty wine, and you don’t mind spending a couple bucks to find it, well look no further. After all, you’re worth it.

The 2003 growing season was atypical, and the bizarre weather patterns ultimately resulted in lower yields at harvest. Grapes are collected several times throughout harvest from three estate vineyards, with only mature fruit being picked on each pass. The wine is aged for 20 months in 100% new French oak, which is apparent on both the nose and the palate. Also look for aromas of dark berries and cocoa, and flavors of blue and raspberry, along with a hint of vanilla spice. The tannins are well structured, and apparent throughout the long, layered finish.

For the weight of this wine, it is remarkably well balanced and ready to drink. It may improve with some aging, as much as ten years, though I think the best bet is to drink it on the next cold night. Pair it with a roaring fire, and good friends.

Avalon Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2003

There are people out there who are literally paying thousands of dollars for single bottles of some California Cabernets, but the folks at Avalon don’t think that makes any sense, and neither do I. The truth is you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a great bottle of wine. Avalon’s Napa Valley offering is the embodiment of this philosophy. While one of my colleagues has already written about another Avalon wine, I think it is importnat to reiterate the value of such an underpriced wine.

Winemaker Alex Cose sources fruit from all over the Valley to produce a wine which demonstrates the depth that Napa grapes can deliver. The ‘Rutherford Dust’ is particularly apparent in this bottle. On the nose look for concentrated fruit like cherry and plum framed by tobacco and caramel. Blueberry and cassis on the palate give way to a lingering finish of nutmeg and oak. The wine is full, yet remarkably well balanced.

This wine is delicious, and at 15 bucks cheap enough to drink every day, so stock up with a case or two. Enjoy with red meats and stinky cheeses, or alongside the last few barbeques of the year.

Terra Valentine, 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District

So far everything I?ve reviewed on this blog has been wines I truly like. Well this wine is different. That’s because this wine I absolutely love. In fact, it may be my favorite wine at this particular price point, and is definitely my favorite California cab for the money. The guys at Terra Valentine have only been in the wine business since 1995, but under the leadership of skilled businessman Angus Wurtele, Terra Valentine has become a world class winery. Their production is small, but their goal to create some of the world?s finest cabernet has not gone unrealized…

In 2002, Spring Mountain enjoyed a long, warm growing season, making for deep rich fruit. On the nose this is characterized by black boysenberry, which is accentuated with spice and vanilla from the oak aging. This broad shouldered, mountain cab fills the palate, but remains surprisingly elegant throughout the long finish. Dark, chewy fruit is punctuated with creamy caramel from 20 months in French oak. 

Grilled meats from lamb chops to marinated sirloin streaks can pair well with this wine. Also try heavy cheeses and rich tobaccos. Really any hardy accompaniment should do well.

This wine is an absolute steal at $35, but look for the price to skyrocket in upcoming vintages, as this wine is receiving top ratings from well respected winos everywhere. Keep your eyes open for Terra Valentine’s Wurtele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon as well. A bit more expensive, but perfect for a few years in your cellar. On the other hand, the Spring Mountain cab is drinking great now, and should continue to do so for at least 10 years.

Staglin Family Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley, 2002

20th Anniversary Selction 

Working at the most well respected wine bar in one of the richest counties in the country certainly carries its little perks. My favorite of these is the opportunity to taste all of my friendly neighborhood millionaires’ leftovers. Normally I wouldn’t shell out the $150 for this wine unless I was planning on putting it in my cellar, but since I didn’t have to, please enjoy the following review.

This wine is a big wine from a big vintage in Napa. First impressions on the nose are the characteristic dusty, earthy Rutherford bouquet, along with dark fruits like plum, cassis and black raspberry. Blueberries and mushrooms on the palate give way to a long finish of chocolate covered cherries, pipe tobacco and black tea. All new French oak imparts a distinctive roasty, toasty caramel flavor in this wine. While the tannins are apparent, and the wine was a little tight, it did open nicely in a decanter and the glass. The true solution to this is the 12 to 15 years in the cellar this wine needs.

As for pairing, this is a big wine and requires some big food. Beef and portabella stroganoff is my first thought, perhaps followed by a hunk of stinky stilton. I wish I’d had a pipe handy to accompany this wine, but I settled for a short, fat torpedo Padron cigar. Both the wine and cigar were anniversary selections which I thought was cool.

Bottom line, this wine is well worth the price tag. Open it for a special occasion; just wait a decade or more.