A great Cabernet. This elegant, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon red wine in the Bordeaux style, is the first wine this year that I've given a perfect score. It is very great red wine, able to set on the table with the world's greatest and show proud. Mostly berry flavors with some plum and cassis and loads of smoky, toasty nuance from more than two years aging in small French oak barrels. Apple, honey and pear nose, with a little of that pleasant petroleum quality so often found in German Rieslings.
Flavors go to stone fruits, peaches and apricots, along with more honey.
Very crisp acid prevents the 17 percent residual sugar from cloying. Only 7 percent alcohol, so you can have an extra serving, if your sweet tooth permits. This attempt is made from commercially frozen Scheurebe grapes, and there's big honey, stone fruit and pineapple flavors. The combination of high sugar, high acid and low alcohol makes me shudder at its excesses. If your crust is sweet, try White Zinfandel, or other roses and blush wines with some sweetness.