Cabernet Sauvignon is  my favorite varietal but there are some real good blended wines (meaning there is not a dominant varietal as per standards) out there for not a lot of money.  This is one of them.  Sacred Stone Master’s Red Blend was purchased for under $9 for a 750 ml screw top bottle (which I understand prevents oxidation better then corks).  As I’m writing this I’m sipping away and enjoying it as much as I did when I unscrewed the top last Saturday.  The wine’s aroma tells you this is not a lite wine (14.6% Alcohol by Volume) conveying cherries and wood.  The color displays a beaming ruby red.  This red blend has a taste that says you better like cherries and plums with spice.  Its really an enjoyable wine that ranks above some of its competitors including one Australian blend I had recently that was pretty decent.  Dare I say that Sacred Stones Master’s Blend could be the best wine I’ve had for under $10.

Sacred Stone Master’s Red Blend is produced in Cienega Valley California.  You’ll find that it generally gets good reviews.  One I saw rated it 90 points.  Others said that its taste is of 30-$40 a bottle quality.  So in closing this post I’d have to say 90 points is a well deserved score that I agree  with and I will surely be drinking this great wine again.  A well rounded wine on all accounts that is affordable.  Long may the mystery live on.

You’ll find more information on Sacred Stone Master’s Red Blend at the wine maker’s site and also here.

* I wrote this post on my own and was not payed or compensated in any way for it.

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When I first tried Re’serve Maison Nicolas Cabernet Sauvignon I thought I was going to have flashbacks to the poor French wines I had previously.  Now I’m over that impression and since I’ve had it few times in the past 3 days I can say its not bad.  It also far from great but at its price point its a fair choice.  Well its imperative that I mention that in the same price range I would rather have  Mascarelli Montepulciano Di Abruzzo, Sacred Stone Red Masters Blend (the topic of one of my previous posts) or in the Cabernet line: Beringer Stone Cellars.    Anyways back to Re’serve Maison Nicolas Cabernet Sauvignon.  So I’d have to say that this wine’s weakness to me is its entry or when you first have a taste.  The wine’s strength (again this is my opinion) is how it finishes.  As I sit here now and have this wine I do like the taste it leaves on my tongue after about 10 seconds though don’t expect fireworks.

When I searched around the internet I found that there isn’t much written on  Re’serve Masion Nicolas Cabernet Sauvignon.  Is this surprising?   I don’t think so as it is an average wine .  So as far a rating, the low 80s like an 81 would be fair.  In closing I’m can say I’m satisfied with this wine as I feel that I got some value for my money but I’m not jumping for joy either.

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The smell of Alamos Cabernet wine lets you know that it has alchohol in it.  You’ll detect fruit like blackberries as well.  When I first smelled I thought it reminded me of toasted bread.  The wine’s color is a deep purple and perhaps the wine’s strongest point.  Now I don’t like to be negative but honestly I feel this wine’s taste is lacking.  The best description I can come up with to convey my taste expression is that this Cabernet wine is like having a grape seed in your mouth while also having a bit of grape fruit juice.  Perhaps the wine is too young.

Now what is said about Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon.  Well the little note at the wine store posted on the front of the wine rack said this wine is 86 points.  Others view it as an 3 out of 5.  I’m disappointed and have to say a 79 points but not the worst wine I’ve ever had either.

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Driving down the driveway that leads to the cellar door, there’s no indication of what lies beyond the vines and the building that houses the cellar door and offices, but once you arrive at the car park, the view comes to prominence. There is a glass walled pavilion onsite that allows visitors to enjoy lunch or a glass of wine during all seasons, while still allowing the view to take center stage. There’s also facilities outside which allow for al fresco dining during the hotter weather.

Elmswood Estate offers a variety of high quality wines and they are regularly introducing new varieties to keep expanding on the wines that have bought visitors back again and again. Their well known and very popular wines include a sparkling Methode Champenoise, Oaked and Un-Oaked Chardonnay, Cabernet Rose, Cabernet Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot while introducing in the past couple of years wines such as  Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Pinot and Liquor Chardonnay and Cabernet styles. Everyone has a favourite, but for a great combination, you can’t go past the Oaked Chardonnay paired with a cheese platter.

As dining in the Yarra Valley has become increasingly popular, Elmswood has remained a destination for enjoying tasty food for lunch on weekends. There is an extensive lunch menu which offers delicious, unpretentious food and will provide an option for even the fussiest eaters. If you want to graze with a cheese platter while enjoying a glass or two of Elmswoods finest, or decide that something more filling is in order, such as the popular duck and pinot pie, or a steak sandwich, you won’t be disappointed with your food choice.

Over the years, Elmswood Estate has become one of the premiere places in the Yarra Valley for functions, but especially weddings. With everything it has to offer, it is one of the most popular venue for weddings and required booking long in advance of that special date. The staff at Elmswood Estate offer assistance with every detail of your ceremony and reception for that special day, as well as providing help with entertainment and transport services.

With everything considered, Elmswood Estate Winery can cater for almost anything (and often does).  Breathtaking views, delicious food, friendly staff and of course, quality wines,  what more could you want from the one place?

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There are thirteen different regions in France with literally thousands of vineyards that produce wine. France is also known for having the ideal location for growing grapes. The vineyards are very close to the water and the soil conditions are perfect. The climate in France also makes it one of the best locations in the world for wine.

Wines are usually classified according to the grape varieties used to make them. One variety that is often used for red wine is the Barbera. Grown mainly in Piedmont, Italy, this variety is quite adaptable to other regions, and is also grown on a limited scale in the United States. Barbera grapes have a high natural acidity and produce wines with a full-bodied fruity taste.

Wine enthusiasts all know about one variety grown in many parts of the world, the Cabernet Sauvignon. This grape variety, grown primarily in Medoc, France, has found its way to California, Australia and other wine-making countries. Cabernet Sauvignon wines are considered by wine enthusiasts as among the best red wines in the world. Among the white varieties, the Chardonnay is easily the most popular, producing some of the world’s finest white wines. These French wine varieties are very popular when dining.

French wine varies from the rare varieties, which can be very difficult to find, to the most common types that you can find in wine stores everywhere. If you are looking for one of the rarer varieties of French wine, the Internet is always a good source of information. Rare vintage French wine can be extremely hard to find, but by looking at wine forums and the many different wine websites, you may be successful.

All in all, French wine is a cut above the rest. Other wines may use the same methods in production and even the same ingredients, but they don’t taste the same as those made in France. You can impress your friends with a little knowledge and fool proof wine values. When you taste a wine that was made in France – you’ll know it, because French wine has a taste and aroma like no other.

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Cabernet Sauvignon is the most popular and triumphant wine of Napa Valley California.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most vital grape in Bordeaux wines.

The origin of Cabernet Sauvignon is French and was created hundreds of years ago.

Cabernet Sauvignon is mixture of 2 other grape types: Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc.

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