Weekend Wine Musings 1/15/2009 - 1/19/2009

Cachagua General Store - Monday Nite Dinner 1/19/2009 (Carmel Valley, CA)
Monday Nite Dinner @ the Cachagua Store is always something to behold - This Monday was no different. My girlfriend (Ashley), Gabe Rosen (my personal Poet and Counsel), and I sat down at about 8:30 and didn't leave until 1:30am. In food and wine lingo we usually like to "kill it" or "blow it up" when we go to the Cachagua Store for Monday Nite Dinners (Monday is the only nite they are open), but this time seemed a bit restrained if you will. Nevertheless the live music was blaring, dogs a barking, and gourmet food a cooking in Carmel Valley.

First up we tried a 2005 Marsannay les Clos (white Burgundy) upon Lee L's reccomendation- This wine was crisp and acidic. Nice way to start the evening for around $25. This is a definite food wine (goes well with the Sardines) Next up we dove head first into the 2006 Vineyard 29 (Cru) from Napa, which we found to be young but approachable. A really enjoyable wine overall. The 2004 Rudd Oakville Estate Cabernet was also young, but showed nice cigar box, deep red fruits, and well integrated oak (perfect with Ashley's duck confit). We finished off with a suprisingly fresh and young tasting 1989 Silver Oak Alexander Valley (Courtesy of Mike Jones, Cachagua Store). This Cab was still young tasting with lots of red currant, cedar, and ripe strawberry. Showing exceptionally well (despite some heavy tannins) this should have another 5-10 years of life in it easily. I wish I still had some beef cheek Ravioli left to try this with, but there is only so much food left @ 1am in the remote hills of Carmel Valley.

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2005 Aromes de Pavie (St Emilion, Bordeaux France) Tasted @ JJBuckley 1/16/2009
This is the 3rd time I've tasted this wine. Once in the U.S. last Spring, once in Bordeaux in April 08' and now...Freaking delicious. This deep ruby colored full-bodied blend is the second label of St. Emilion's prodigal wine "Pavie". Complex fruit driven aromas of wild strawberry, raspberry, dried currant, and cassis with a subtle coffee undertone. Plush and velvety in the mid-palate while remaining bright and lively. The finish is smooth and quite simply delicious. This is Pavie-esque without having to spend $200+

2006 Querciabella Chianti (Chianti, Italy) Tasted @ JJBuckley 1/16/2009
Let me preface this note by saying that I was in Chianti with my dad in November 2006 shortly after harvest so I have a tough time bagging on any wine from that vintage / area. With that said this is actually a pretty stellar wine from top to bottom. It boasts a real savory component on the nose with some dried plum, anise, and sage. Some meaty / gammy character as well with light salt-water. This is so clearly Italian (in a good way) - It shows what Chianti is all about when produced in a fashion wherein the Sangiovese grape can express itself without being over-dressed to mimic a more 'modern' wine, which it's not. This should age well, but it's so nice right now - Why wait?

2006 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma, CA) Tasted @ JJBuckley 1/16/2009
Dense purple core with a fuchsia rim. This Cab shows great concentration with a delightful nose of powdered chocolate, blackberry, and vanilla extract. This has some serious fruit character on the nose with some subtle undertones of extra ripe plum and dill as well. Soft going in but builds towards a big tannic finish. This should be open for business in a year or two.
NOTE: This is one of the more solid wines you'll find in a restaurant at a reasonable price

2006 Conn Valley Right Bank (Napa Valley, CA) Tasted @ JJBuckley 1/15/2009
I've always liked Conn Valley because the quality is there and the price is right. This 06' Right Bank is no exception. This 70% Merlot, 30%Cabernet Franc blend is fashioned in the same vein as a Right bank Bordeaux (hence the name)... Dark plum-ruby core. The nose exudes Merlot characteristics of plum, blackberry, and light cardamon. Some subtle herbaceous notes settle in after the fruit including bell pepper and red cabbage. This wine is by no means 'vegital' however (Fruit is still the dominant component) On the mid-palate it is smokey and powerful with red plum, Asian spice, and nutmeg. Long but tart finish. Nice wine overall - I would give it a couple of years in bottle.