Last night my little local wine group met at Rob's. "Non-European Cabernet" was the theme, we each brought a blind bottle (the group, plus Rob's brother). Nice group, nice spread of cheese and sausage, fun evening.
#1- Moderately ripe, cassis fruit with some red plum, ok acidity, light tannins. My guess was Sonoma, nope the 2004 Snoqualmie "Rosebud Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley). B/B+
#2 - Blackberries and too-ripe black plums, very low-acidity, somewhat short. Others liked more, everyone thought Cali. 2004 Cartlidge & Browne Cabernet Sauvignon (California). C+
(I've thought C& B offers decent value before, but I think mostly the whites)
#3- Better acidity, black plums, a little herbal note. Interesting, though the flavor profile runs a little sweet. A wine I've never heard of, the 2005 Aviemore Cabernet Sauvignon (pretty sure of name, and pretty sure this was California). B
#4- this seems more Old World. Clean blackcurrant fruit, not as ripe as predecessors, more earth and leather. Just a hint of green pepper (not offensive). Still some tannins, plus a bit of toasty oak. Seems a bit older than others, but conversely could use more time. Probably my WOTN. 2000 Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma). B+
#5- no guesses as it was mine. The '91-'94 versions of this were my house Cabs, then I found the '95s too expensive. But a few years ago ran across a couple at prices that no longer seemed unreasonable, bought some. Solid but not flashy sweet currant fruit, some cedar and leather, ripe tannins. Ready but not tired. 1995 Beringer "Knight's Valley" Cabernet Sauvignon. B+
#6 -Big sweet style of CS,not bad sipping on its own, not sure I'd really want at dinner table. Still, there's enough tannin to make up in structure for lower acids, a crowd pleaser. 2004 Ex-Libris Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley) B
#7-Fairly low acid, resolved tannins, red fruit with a edge of coffeebeans and a light herbal note. I correctly guess Chile, though that is partially observing Dave when we discussed how everyone had brought US wines (it didn't strike me as Australian, though I briefly considered South Africa, Argentina, etc). 2002 Santa Carolina Reserva di Famila Cabernet Sauvignon. B-
#8- showing totally mature, maybe a tad on downslope. Rich ripe fruit, with hints of vanilla mixed with forest floors leaves. Still a bit of tannins, but low-acid and seems just a little tired. I'm guessing early 90s Napa, it's a bit younger, the 1997 Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (Napa). B+/B
Nice night with the guys.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.