Stag's Leap ARTEMIS

2006
Cabernet Sauvignon
NAPA

Oh. That's so more like it. I am content. The Bro and I went wine shopping tonight - he did the purchasing and we brought home some good stuff. The Artemis gave off a braised meat-herb sent and tasted like black berry fruit with rosemary mixed in. I loved it. The Bro (I have to find a new handle for him - not only does he hate it, but I do too) wasn't sure at first and thought there wasn't much of a finish. I experienced a subtle, slow to arrive finish that was just fine. The Guy liked the tannins he experienced right off. Once we introduced aged Old Quebec cheddar cheese and La Panzanella Croccantini peppercorm crackers to the wine, we were all pretty happy. Something about the peppercorns brought the wine to a new level. Highly recommend.

This wine on-line is regularly $55, on sale for $47. The Bro and I found it locally at a regular price of $48, on sale for $37. The taste and sale price are well matched. I highly recommend this wine if you can get it for the lower price. I think $55 would be paying too much. $48 would be pushing it.


May no man's touch ever tame you.
May no man's reigns ever chain you,
And may no man's weight
ever lay freight your soul...

And as for the clouds
Just let them roll . . .

Roll away

RAY LaMONTAGNE


8.25 out of 10
$37 / 750 ml. bottle (on Sale)
13.8% alc. by vol.

Silverado

2004
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, CA
(Stag's Leap District)

First: Thank you to "Morgan" for the post giving me a head's up on the "Red Truck" changeover. I will be interested to see what comes of it. I am a fan in general of "Cline" wines - especially the ancient vine zin.

Blend: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc

Would definitely drink again - though not in the budget.

This was a gift from my boss so it wasn't in my usual price range. He gave it to me in December and I saved it for a special occasion. I decided to share it with my mom and stepdad and grandmother over Easter dinner. My mother made my grandmother's Yankee Pot Roast and it seemed as good a time as any.

I loved the scent right away - it had an oak and earth scent that drew me in. The flavor was probably more of a black cherry mixed with oak, earth and licorice or eucalyptus. The finish was smooth and lingering. It accompanied the pot roast very nicely. BUT - once again - the age-old question. Is a more expensive wine bound to be better than a less expensive one? I believe, in most cases, no. My mom and I really enjoyed this wine - in fact we all did. But, as my mom and I discussed, I wouldn't spend $45 myself to experience it again. There are many equally tasty wines for $20 and under.

And the song of the day in my head (one of my all-time FAVORITES):

How many special people change?
How many lives are living strange? . . .
Someday you will find me
Caught beneath the landslide
In a champagne supernova in the sky

Champagne Supernova, OASIS

8.5 out of 10
14.5% alc. by vol.
$45 / 750 ml bottle
www.silveradovineyards.com