2005 J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles California. 13.5% alcohol.
I was fascinated to read in my diary that Janet and I had the 1994 edition of this wine almost exactly ten years ago at a Legends in Concert; our reactions were the same as they were today: 1994 J. Lohr Estates Cabernet Seven Oaks Paso Robles California. Label: "Deep violet notes. Aromas of black berries, cherries and black currants. Bouquet of toasted oak with hints of cinnamon and vanilla. Rich and velvety on the palate with a long, lingering finish."
Janet: "Smells good. Those notes are pretty accurate." Good red color; good fruit aroma; good fruit taste with mild acid and tannin; ten to fifteen second finish. 4*.
We've shared different editions of this wine with great pleasure over the years -- we found the 2004 vintage as good as the 1994. The 2005 was certainly in the same family, but a little less pleasing, somewhat out of balance on the acid side, but with very good fruit and tannins, and an excellent match with a very complicated pizza, far outside our usual spare pizza comfort zone. 3*.
Joey's Chicken Cutlet Parmigiana Pizza from Positano's Restaurant in Wayne: heavy on the chicken cutlet pieces, lots of cheese, fairly thick, but delicious. David loves this pie, and the wine makes it work for me.