Cork:Authentic
Name: Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon
Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2003
Region: Napa Valley
Country: USA
Producer: Grgich Hills Cellar
Price: $55.99
Purchased at: Wine.com
Date: 11/09/07
Served With: Salmon marinated in reduced balsamic vinegar with capers and herb-scented olive oil
Appearance: Like a garnet stone; deep burgundy with red on the edges where the light shines
Aroma: Cherries, crushed red roses, berry cobbler, currant, oak
Taste: Very tasty, slight fruity taste on the front of the tongue, a mellow middle and a balancing, tannic finish.
Comments: If a cobbler was cooked with cherries, currants and sweet tobacco in an oak-fired oven it might come close to the taste of this wine. Add the alcohol, of course!! This is one of the more balanced Cabernet Sauvignon wines I’ve had. I loved the balanced tannic finish…it’s like the flavor spreads evenly around your mouth as you swallow creating a very satisfying, warm experience. We decanted this wine for about 30 minutes before enjoying it with a salad and then with the main course of salmon. I’m not great a pairing wines yet and this was good with the meal but better before and after.

I must say that going back over my previous reviews where I gave J. Lohr 2005 Cabernet 8.5 corks I may consider adjusting (normalizing) some of my previous reviews. Not that the J. Lohr isn’t a great wine for a great price, because it is, but because to compare an 8.5 of J. Lohr to the 8 corks I give this wine is grossly unfair. This Grgich Hills Cabernet is a very good wine. But, if I had to choose between this bottle at $55+ or the Spectacular Shiraz at $27 I’d take the Canonbah Bridge every time!

Sorry, a little off track there but you get the idea! Taking nothing away from Grgich Hills - it’s a great wine and deserves all the kudos it gets!!

Another huge thanks to the Wine Hiker where this bottle of wine came from!

Cork:Authentic
Name: Meridian Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2000
Region: California
Country: USA
Producer: Meridian Vineyards
Price: $12.99?
Purchased at: Cheers Liquormart
Date: 11/09/07
Served With: Teriyaki Chicken & White Rice
Appearance: Deep purple, rich
Aroma: Faint berries, very light, not much, if any, oak
Taste: A layered wine with smooth cherries on the front with a citrusy finish.
Comments: Hmm…I had to think about this one for a while. This wine doesn’t have the characteristics that I typically applaud in a Cabernet Sauvignon. However, as my wine education grows one of the things I’ve learned is not to judge this, or any, wine based on what I like, rather judge or rate it based on the wine itself and what it is telling me. Kinda like “Deep Thoughts”, with Jack Handy! Anyway, there are some layers present here but no tannins to speak of. I had to go back and double-check the label to make sure this wasn’t a Merlot! Maybe it’s the age of the wine, seven years old, or just the way it was produced but this is a very smooth, unoffensive, “great for guests” bottle of wine. I’d drink it again!

It arrived today. The famous case of wine from the California Wine Hiker. One week after winning the award I have 12 fabulous bottles of wine to share with you all!

I know you would like to know what the inventory consists of. I know because if I were you I would want to know!

Before I reveal what this great case of wine consists of I want to whet your palate a bit. I know that wine ratings aren’t everything but this is, after all, a wine review blog and it’s worth noting that not a single rated bottle of wine in this case came in less than 90. There is one bottle that is not rated but after seeing everything else in the case I thoroughly trust the Wine Hiker.

Additionally, It seems to me that Russ put a lot of thought into choosing each bottle. I can’t say enough how appreciative I am of not only the wine but the thought that went into it. From Malbec to Muscat and Rose to G.A.M. the list doesn’t disappoint!

Now, let met pimp another site for just one second as I tell you that I have compiled the list of wines at wine.com. They allow you to create multiple wine lists, wish lists, etc. and also tell you the rating of each wine from various reviewers, whether or not it is an organic wine, a collectible wine and lots of other cool features as well.

So, without listing each wine here and without further adieu here’s the list of awarded wines from the Wine Hiker. Incidentally, each wine will be reviewed here!

Cork:Authentic
Name: Chessman Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel Reserve
Type: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2005
Region: Paso Robles
Country: USA
Producer: Chessman Vineyards
Price: $13.99
Purchased at: Cheers Liquormart
Date: 11/18/07
Served With: Chili & Cornbread
Appearance: Dark & rich, deeper in color than most Zins
Aroma: A bit of blackberry and oak on the nose
Taste: Very mellow with a subdued fruit start, small hints of vanilla and a lingering, spicy finish!
Comments: Here’s a wine that came recommended by one of the wine guys at Cheers. He said it was one of the best Zins he’s had lately. I must agree! I really do like the old vine zins much better than regular zins for the most part. They seem to have a much smoother, longer finish and some offer hints of vanilla as this one does. Though some advertise “Old Vines” zins they can bowl me over with heat and fruit but this one has good balance and mellow”ness” that I like in a rich, robust Old Vine Zinfandel.

While answering some comments lately I decided to address the issue of Texas wines. Thanks to David for bringing this up (though TX wineries may not be thanking him!).

I’ve recently relocated and don’t live in TX anymore. Yet, even when I lived there I didn’t drink much TX wine. IMHO, Texas Hills Vineyards was the only one making anything close to comparable in wines I’m used to drinking in terms of reliability and taste. However, the main problem with TX wines is the cost of TX wines! It’s rather discouraging that these inferior wines are $5-$6 more per bottle than most CA wines that are better in almost every facet. Once the TX wineries get the pricing thing figured out they can begin to lure more wine drinkers to their wine, particularly, locals. Incidentally, as I recall, Texas Hills Vineyards also grows Lavender, which my wife was very impressed with.

Now, having said all that TX wines are head and shoulders above any CO wines I’ve tasted thus far! With time other regions including Texas and Colorado can produce good wine but they are not there yet!

Been way too long since I’ve written a post. My apologies to you.

Thanks to Russ over at Californiawinehikes.com for awarding this review of his site the #1 prize - a case of wine!

I’m currently thinking of ways to “redistribute” at least a portion of this prize to the readers here. If you have any cool ideas that would promote this site and would be fun to participate in please let me know by leaving a comment on the About page.

Kudos to the WannaBe Wino as well for taking the runner-up spot. Megan does a fantastic job on her site and I feel lucky to have won out over her. Keep up the great reviews and consistent posting Megan!

Again, many thanks to Russ! We’ll be in his area in Spring of ‘08 and will do the aforementioned Redwoods Hike and will follow it up with a review at that time. If you like the outdoors and wine then it seems you can’t go wrong by contacting Russ and booking your very own California Wine Hike!