Il Forno Classico Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting 11/5/2009

Once again we found ourselves with our friends Heidi and Michael at Il Forno Classico for a Cabernet Sauvignon tasting. There really is nothing better in life than good times with good friends in a warm, lovely setting, with some wonderful wines. Here is what we tasted:

Nickle & Nickel Howell Mountain Vogt Vineyard 2005

The wine started with a very subtle nose of vanilla and currant. This was a medium-bodied Cab that reminded me of summer. The front of the wine was soft with flavors of warm vanilla, lemon, rose and currant. The middle notes picked up a hint of black tea, and the finish was soft and round with low tannins and a hint of leather. I gave this a 6 out of 10 points.

Seavey 2004

This had a nice nose of cherry and vanilla. The front and middle of the wine were a bit sour, with notes of soft cherry, vanilla, and dried rose petals. The finish was peppery and the cherry was more pronounced. This reminded me more of a Syrah than a Cab. I gave it 6 out of 10 points.

Sebastiani Cherryblock 2001

The nose was beautiful with notes of chocolate, cherry, and oak. The wine was full-bodied and well-balanced, with the same flavors found in the nose and added hints of blackberry and rose. The finish was round, smooth, and full. This was a nicely aged Cab with some tannins remaining, and I thought it was damned near perfect. I gave it 10 out of 10 points.

St. Michelle Col Solare 1999

The nose was soft, with hints of pepper and leather. There were very few tannins present due to the wine’s age. The wine was peppery from start to finish, overwhelming other flavors except for the leather and oak overtones. I gave it a 5 out of 10 points.

Perry Moore 2005

The nose was subtle, with hints of cherry, oak, tobacco, and leather. The front of the wine had flavors of blackberry, cherry and vanilla. The middle brought forth a lovely note of fennel, and the finish added the flavors in the front of the wine, with a light peppery feel on the tongue. The wine was richly layered and well-balanced. I gave it 9 out of 10 points.

As always, Scotty at Il Forno Classico put together a wonderful range of wines to taste, something for everyone in this grouping.