Virginie's Wineblog

An everyday red wine blend from the re-known St Francis Winery in California.

Technical Data: 48% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, 3% Zinfandel and 6% “Mixed Blacks” . Mixed Blacks are a group of very inky grapes added usually to a blend to give a little more color and structure, in that case, the grapes added in a very low percentage are Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Alicante and Malbec. This wine was aged only a few months in oak barrels.

Description: Dark red color. Intense liquorice aromas on the nose mingled with black fruits and woody notes. On the palate, the wine is very dry and concentrated on black current and plumy flavors seconded by liquorice and black pepper with a roasted coffee finish.

Food Pairing & Service: Paired by Angela with a soft-ripened cheese made from pasteurized cow’s milk From Normandie Region in France and called Pont L’Evêque (AO)

Score: 7/10.

Ageing Potential: Made to be drunk in its youth. Drink now and for 1 more year.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $14.99

A luscious and jammy Cabernet Sauvignon “Sonoma Style”.

Technical Data: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 23 months in a combination of New French and American oak followed by 4 to 8 months in bottle prior release depending of the vintage.

Description: Deep ruby red color. Ripe cherry and blackberry aromas entwined with cedar and smoke. On the palate, the wine is very rich and textured, packed with flavors such as juicy cherry, jammy plum, refined tannins, dry herbs, black pepper and liquorice. Chewy, very dry palate with a coffee long lasting very smooth finish.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair extremely well with a wide range of food, specially with red meat and hearty pasta dishes. Angela and Treva paired it with the French cheese called Petit Livarot de la Perelle( AOC Pays D’Auge, Calvados, France).

Score: 8/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now and for 2 more years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $30.49

A luscious Cabernet Sauvignon based blend from the North Coast in CA.

Technical Data: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% other “Bordeaux Style Varietals”. Aged 14 months in a combination of French, American and Hungarian oak, 30% new.

Description: Deep garnet color. Intense ripe plum aromas enticed with clove’s spices and oak. Bone-dry palate showing off lush blackberry and ripe plum backed up by spices and cedar with velvety smooth tannins. Textured wine with a long lasting finish.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair extremely well with steak, burgers, roast and rich pasta with tomato an meat sauce.

Score: 8/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now and for 2 more years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $19.99

A medium to full-bodied elegant Cabernet Sauvignon based blend from California.

Technical Data: Cabernet Sauvignon Blend. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a small amount of Merlot, Petite Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Nine months in French and American oak, 17% new.

Description: Bright garnet red in color with purple hues. Intense red and black fruits nose laced with oak and old leather. Rich mouth-feel expressing flavors of ripe cherries, plum and black berries interwoven with oak, spice and leather. Elegant supple tannins with a chocolaty long lasting finish and a hint of dried herbs. This wine has some texture to it.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair with a wide range of food. Best with BBQ-ed meats and roasted veggies.

Score: 8/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now and up to 2 more years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $24.99

A medium to full-bodied refined, supple and elegant Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley in California.

Technical Data: 100% Pinot Noir, 10 months in 100% French oak.

Description: Bright ruby red in color. Elegant nose of red berries well integrated to rose petal and violet aromas as well as oak and spice. On the palate, the wine is lush and elegant with smooth tannins, concentrated ripe cherries backed up by rose petal flavors, plum, cedar and a touch of liquorice. Quite a wonderful program all at once!

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair with a wide range of food. Try it with a Californian Cheddar from the brand Fiscalini called San Joaquin Gold which is a semi hard cheese with a natural rind and a mild buttery taste.

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now and up to 3 more years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $25.99