#CabernetDay with Trinitas Cellars, Hahn Winery's Smith & Hook, and Forefront Wines by Pine Ridge

Hello Friends,

I do not necessarily need a special day to drink Cabernet, but since last Thursday was #CabernetDay, I uncorked a few bottles with a friend and joined (and enjoyed) the day-long online conversation. CabernetDay, as we call it on Twitter, is a global celebration of the Cabernet grape variety. The event, now in its fourth year, brings a myriad of spirited wine enthusiasts from all over the country together. Via social media, we interact and share thoughts about Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet-based blends, and more.

#CabernetDay in the Glass!

For #CabernetDay, I went with three Cabernet Sauvignon wines. The Cabernet Sauvignon variety is one of the most popular and celebrated grapes in the world and is often referred to as the “King of Red Wine Grapes.” Cabernet Sauvignon is produced in a wide variety of styles, but its greatest gift to the wine world, in my opinion, is its potential to make well-structured, alluring, and highly complex wines that are long-lived. It is sometimes difficult to fathom that Cabernet Sauvignon is an offspring of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc – a discovery made by researchers at UC Davis in the late 90s. Below are the selections I opened accompanied by my tasting notes and a picture I snapped of each bottle. Remember: variety, so they say, is the spice of life; so keep an open mind and an open palate and enjoy the experience. Drink well my friends!

 Trinitas Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

1) Trinitas Cellars' Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (SRP $50): This wine is supple and succulent with inviting black cherry, ripe plum, and currant fruit alongside rose petals, cocoa notes, and dusky spice aromas and flavors. On the palate, it shows good depth and integration of fruit and oak with a lasting, harmonious finish. It is drinking nicely now but will also benefit from short-term cellaring, though it may be difficult to be patient. (Other Info: Oakville appellation, barrel-aged 18 months in 80% new French oak, made up of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petite Sirah, and 0.5% Malbec, ABV 13.9%, natural cork enclosure) Click here to find this wine.

Smith & Hook 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon

2) Hahn Family Wines' Smith & Hook 2011 Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon (SRP $30): This wine exhibits blackberry, black currant, spice, and notes of cola with underlying black cherry aromas and flavors. It is nicely textured on the palate with slightly grippy tannins towards the back-end and a pleasant short-to-medium length finish. This is a nice selection to pair with a backyard barbeque and can be found at very reasonable price points on the web. (Other info: Composed of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Malbec, 65% new French oak, ABV 14.8%, cork enclosure) Click here to find this wine.

Forefront 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon

3) Pine Ridge Vineyards' Forefront 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (SRP $20): Forefront is a second label of Napa Valley producer Pine Ridge Vineyards. Second labels tend to offer a producer more flexibility in wine style, fruit source (I believe Pine Ridge is solely Napa Valley), and price point. Budget-friendly and approachable, this wine shows aromas and flavors suggestive of blackberry, blueberry, toasty vanilla, cedar spice, and a hint of cocoa. This is a tasty selection to wash down grilled fare with – particularly grilled beef or Portobello burgers. (Other info: Composed of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, and 3% Syrah, appellation 83% Napa and 17% Lake Counties, ABV 13.7%, cork enclosure) Click here to find this wine.

Bet these Cabs would pair nicely with ....

Have a question about this post? Feel free to drop me an e-mail at myvinespot@yahoo.com or hit me up on Facebook or Twitter. Stay tuned ...more to come. Happy Sipping, my friends! Disclosure: The Trinitas and Smith & Hook were provided for review. Thoughts are my own.

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