East Hills Wine Club Online

1.  2001 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon

Louis Martini   
Napa, North Coast, California, USA 
Cabernet Sauvignon (a dry red table wine)
Wine Advocate #157 (Feb 2005)
Robert Parker 88 points 
Drink 2005-2020

The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa possesses a dark ruby/purple color as well as a big, rich nose of black currant, loamy soil, and underbrush scents, medium body, and a firm structure. While accessible, it promises to evolve for 10-15 years.

2.  Chateau Ste. Michelle

Wine Spectator Score: 86
Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2001
Country: Washington
Region: Washington 
Issue: Jun 30, 2004

Crisp and appealing for its olive- and herb-scented berry flavors, finishing with a little spice. Drink now. 175,000 cases made.

3.  J. Lohr

Wine Spectator Score: 85
Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles Seven Oaks 2002
Country: California
Region: South Coast 
Issue: Oct 15, 2004

Blackberry, plum and espresso flavors are tangy, with a hint of floral sweetness, with firm tannins and cedary oak lingering on an earthy finish. Drink now through 2008. 200,000 cases made.

4.  Columbia Crest

Wine Spectator Score: 89
Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Grand Estates 2001
Region: Washington 
Issue: Aug 31, 2004

An open, clear-eyed style, nicely packed with black cherry, berry and spicy oak notes melding harmoniously as the flavors last on a long, silky finish. Drink now through 2010. 195,000 cases made.

5.  Jumilla Altos de Luzón 2003

Wine Spectator Score 93
Winery: Finca Luzón   
Country: Spain 
Region: Spain  
Issue: Oct 15, 2005   

Ripe and luscious. This rich red is bursting with fruit, with flavors of cherry, boysenberry and currant, supported by well-integrated toasty oak, balanced acidity and ripe tannins. Accents of coffee, mineral and briar add allure, and mingle with the fruit on the long finish. Monastrell (Mourvèdre), Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo. Drink now through 2010. 1,500 cases made.

6.  Liberty School

Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Country: California
Region: Sonoma 

California has established itself over the past 150 years as an ideal home for this varietal. Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon is the result of our search for the soils and microclimates within the state that are capable of producing the best possible expressions of this grape. The Liberty School winery is located in Paso Robles, California - the home of delicious wines that are easy to enjoy.

7.  Prospero

Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Country: California
Region: Sonoma 

This Cabernet is styled to emphasize the rich varietal character and body in a classic Sonoma style. The fragrant Cabernet aromas of cassis and black fruit are under-scored by notes of vanilla, ceder, and tobacco which carry into ripe, intense berry fruit flavors on the palate. The structure is firm and well balanced, with excellent depth and subtle, generous tannins. The Long finish is marked by complex notes of spices and oak.

8.  2003 Cartlidge and Browne Cabernet Sauvignon

Cartlidge and Browne   
California, USA 
Cabernet Sauvignon (a dry red table wine)
Robert Parker
Wine Spectator 87 points
Drink 2005-2008

The juicy, deep ruby-tinged 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon reveals classic aromas of black fruits intermixed with hints of underbrush and herb. Fine ripeness, low acidity, and medium body suggest it should be enjoyed over the next 2-3 years.

9.  2004 Marquis Philips Sarah's Blend

Marquis Philips   
Southeast Australia, Australia 
Proprietary Blend (a dry red table wine)
Wine Advocate #161 (Oct 2005) 
Robert Parker 91 points 
Drink 2005-2009

The dense ruby/purple-hued 2004 Sarah's Blend is composed of 62% Shiraz and the rest equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It offers abundant black cherry and cassis fruit in its smoky, earthy bouquet along with hints of licorice, dried herbs, and chocolate. Full-bodied, opulent, fruity, and long with surprising complexity as well as depth, it should be drunk over the next 3-4 years.

10.  2004 Marquis Philips Shiraz 

Marquis Philips   
Southeast Australia, Australia 
Syrah (a dry red table wine)
Wine Advocate #161 (Oct 2005) 
Robert Parker 90 points 
Drink 2005-2008

The 2004 Shiraz reveals blackberry, tar, pepper, and toasty oak characteristics in its spicy, rich, deep, voluptuous personality. It will drink well for 1-3 years.

11.  The Wishing Tree

Wine Spectator Score: 89
Wine: Shiraz Western Australia-South Australia 2004
Country: Australia
Issue: Nov 30, 2005

Bright and lively, with a crisp edge to the ripe blackberry, cherry and white pepper flavors, which lifts the finish beautifully. Drink now through 2007. 20,000 cases imported.

12.  2003 Jim Barry Shiraz The Lodge Hill

Jim Barry   
Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia 
Syrah (a dry red table wine)
Wine Advocate #161 (Oct 2005) 
Robert Parker 87 points 

The peppery, blackberry and black currant-scented 2003 Shiraz Lodge Hill offers hints of earth, saddle leather, roasted meat, and licorice. Readers who are wondering about Jim Barry's flagship offering, the Shiraz Armagh, should refer to issue #155, where both the 2001 and 2002 received fabulous reviews. I have not yet tasted the unreleased 2003 The Armagh. However, I did recently taste the 1989 Shiraz The Armagh, and rated it 93 points. It is a magnificent wine still on the upside of its potential. These cuvees can easily last 20-25 years.