Michael Pinkus Wine Review - From the Cellar

From the Cellar

Just because I started a website called OntarioWineReview.com doesn't mean it's All-Ontario-All-the-Time. When I kick back at night my mood (and sometimes my curiosity) decides my wine of choice. And the title should read, "Uncorked and Un-Screwed Tonight" ... but that just sounds wrong.

Caymus 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection (California)

23 Dec 2021

Details: Category: Uncorked Tonight

Caymus 2004

(January 30, 2021) ... Starts off with leathery and smoky notes followed by dark berry fruit, oak, and vanilla, which starts to emerge after about 15-20 minutes of being open. After an hour to an hour-and-a-half the alcohol starts to permeate the nose, then it comes to the palate, by this time I spun the bottle around and see that it is 15.2% - the alcohol has now come to play and stays there ... by the hour two-and-a-half hour mark it's chewy with mocha , black cherry, and chocolate but that alcohol keeps getting in the way. Rats.

Evans & Tate 2001 Cabernet Merlot, Margaret River (Australia)

22 Dec 2021

Details: Category: Uncorked Tonight

Evans and Tate

(January 29, 2021) ... This 78% Cabernet Sauvignon / 22% Merlot had a respectable 14% alcohol - the nose kicked off with prunes, dark fruit, cinnamon, and oak; while the palate showed spiced-oak, coffee bean, and spiced-vanilla with a silky smooth delivery ... A couple hours later it began to show it's age more definitively: smooth, yes, but pruney while the oak and smoke was starting to take over.

Paired well with BBQ chicken bites and pizza - but then what doesn't?