Attributes:

Fidelitas

Walla Walla, United States

Cabernet Sauvignon

750 ML

2003: WineSpectator Rating: 87

cherry, herb flavors

2003: WineAndSpirits Rating: 90

bright

classic

round, smooth, strong

2003: WineEnthusiast Rating: 89

tart

light

beef, raspberry

2002: WineAdvocate Rating: 87

tangy

medium-bodied

blackberries, blackberry, cherry, raspberry

sweet

Food Matches:

(cab er nay saw vee nyon)—This highly adaptable grape grows almost anywhere it is relatively warm, but the best wines come from the Burgundy region of France (where it is a noble variety), California, and Australia. It became famous through the red wines of the Médoc district of Bordeaux and is now grown in Washington, southern France, Italy, Australia, South Africa, Chile, and Argentina. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes make wines that are high in tannin and medium- to full-bodied. Usually identified as having black currant or cassis flavors, the grape can also possess vegetal tones when the grapes are less than ideally ripe. The best wines are rich and firm with great depth, and are often aged for fifteen years or more. Because it is highly tannic, Cabernet Sauvignon is often blended with other less-tannic grapes such as Merlot.

The Walla Walla Valley AVA (recognized 1984) is located within Washington State and extending partly into the northeastern corner of Oregon with more then a 1,000 acres of vineyards. It is part of the larger Columbia Valley AVA. The area is named after the Walla Walla people who lived along the shores of the Walla Walla River at its junction with the Snake and Columbia River. The name Walla Walla means "rapid stream" or "many waters". In addition to grapes, this area is almost a major agricultural producer of sweet onions, wheat and strawberries. After the Yakima Valley AVA, the Walla Walla AVA has the second highest concentration of vineyards and wineries in Washington State. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most well known and widely planted grape in the area, followed by Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Franc.

Attributes:

Beckmen Vineyards

Santa Ynez Valley, United States

Sauvignon Blanc

750 ML

2002: WineSpectator Rating: 89

grass, green apple, lime, peach

2001: WineSpectator Rating: 90

tangy

floral

stylish

grass, green apple, oak, pear

2001: WineEnthusiast Rating: 87

lively acidity

delicious

concentrated

1999: WineEnthusiast Rating: 86

sulfur

Food Matches:

Comes mostly from California, France, New Zealand, and South Africa. Its highly acidic wines are often suggestive of herbs or grass. Light to medium bodied and usually dry, European versions are generally not oaky while California Sauvignon Blanc can take on many of the qualities of Chardonnay. France has two classic wine regions for the Sauvignon Blanc gape: Bordeaux and the Loire Valley The Bordeaux wine is called Bordeaux Blanc and the two best known of the Loire wines are called Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé. In Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc is sometimes blended with Sémillon.

In Santa Barbara County, this was the set, and location of shooting for the movie "Sideways". Located in the central coast of California, the region runs east to west along the river surrounded by the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Rafael Mountains. The very cool temperatures on the coast become progressively warmer as the valley moves inland.

Attributes:

Domaine du Trapadis

Cotes du Rhône, France

Rhone Blend - Red

750 ML

2004: WineSpectator Rating: 86

rustic

currant, minerally, red plum, stony

2004: WineEnthusiast Rating: 84

chewy

Food Matches:

This region in the Rhone Valley makes light- to medium-bodied reds from the Grenache, Mourvédre, and Carignan grapes, and provides the world with some of its best inexpensive wines. Some wines are labeled Côtes du Rhône-Villages, which indicates higher quality. These wines can be earthy with a good deal of raspberryish fruit.