Wine on the Radio - December 12, 2003

Cabernet and Prime Rib                       Our Cab Picks

One of the most elegant yet simple entrees for a special dinner is a standing rib roast . . . yep, prime rib is served!   Prime rib has a soft, melt in your mouth texture and served au jus it's about as good as it gets.  

So what else but wine's class act, cabernet sauvignon, would you serve?  

New World cab, from the US, Chile or Australia is our choice.  The higher fat content of the prime rib needs a wine with the structure and enough tannin to stand up . . . but the meat's tenderness calls for their youthful energy  

New World cabs fill the bill with dark berry tastes and cedar chest aroma that are just the right balancing act for the meat.  

These cabs aren't shy . . . they're full bodied and richly flavored . . . so they're not afraid of the horseradish sauce either!  

Elegant prime rib . . . at home or in the restaurant, look to new world cabernet.  

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Some Cabernet Sauvignon Choices and Recommendations . . . all prices approximate

$25 or less

Ch. Ste. Michelle 2000 Canoe Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley, Washington

Winemaker's Notes
Complex aromas of cassis and blackberry against a backdrop of tanned leather lead to ripe fruit flavors punctuated with notes of chocolate and cedar

Franciscan 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley , California

Winemaker's Notes
This powerful Cabernet Sauvignon captures the essence of Napa Valley 's Oakville Region

Gallo of Sonoma 1997 Stefani Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Valley , California

Winemaker's Notes
A blockbuster Cabernet Sauvignon - this top seller sports intense cassis and black cherry aromas complimented by cedary, spicy flavors in the finish. If only all Sonoma Cabernets were this affordable and delicious

Merryvale 2000 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley , California

Winemaker's Notes
This wine is made from lots selected for their complexity of flavors and supple tannins

Robert Mondavi 1999 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Notes
The complexity of flavors and exceptional elegance of our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon reflects the diversity of outstanding terroirs of Napa Valley

Rodney Strong 2000 Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Valley, California

Winemaker's Notes
Our 1998 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignons dark ruby color tips off a deep and luscious quality throughout

St. Francis 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Valley, California

Winemaker's Notes
All the grapes in this rich varietal come from one of three Sonoma County appellations - Sonoma Valley , Dry Creek, or Alexander Valley

Simi 2000 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Valley , California

Winemaker's Notes
The 2000 is dark red with purple tones and up front aromas of berry with a hint of sweet oak

$25 - $50

Burgess 1999 Vintage Select Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Notes
The 1999 vintage was harvested a few days later than normal because of a cool summer. However, the conditions were ideal and the fruit maturity levels were textbook. The aroma and flavor the 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon are truly an extension of the vineyard and display the Estate-grown complexity our vineyard is known for

Cakebread 2000 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley , California

Winemaker's Notes
This 2000 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of cedar wood and blackberry fruit. On entry, the flavors are full with subtle notes of black licorice, spice and pepper

Grgich Hills 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley , California

Winemaker's Notes
Our 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon has typical Cabernet aromas and a long, lingering aftertaste, coating your tongue with a gentle layer of soft tannins (sometimes called " Rutherford dust") and mouth-filling flavors of currant, blackberry, spice and chocolate to prolong your enjoyment

Hess 1999 Collection Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Notes
Dark garnet red, with an aroma of blueberries, raspberries, cherries, and cassis. Second layer is nutmeg, leather, toast and vanilla beans. Flavor: Blackberries, plums, and allspice

Kenwood 1999 Jack London Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Valley , California

Winemaker's Notes
Complex and full-bodied, this Cabernet serves up luscious blackberry, chocolate and earth flavors that come together in a powerful and elegant finish

$50 - $100

Beaulieu - BV 1999 George de Latour Private Reserve   $80
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Notes
Dark ruby-violet in color, the 1999 Georges de Latour demonstrates the benefits of judicious green-harvesting during a difficult vintage. Strongly aromatic, the wine reveals classic Rutherford scents of black-cherry, mineral, green and black peppercorn with anise

Caymus 2000 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley , California

Winemaker's Notes
Classic Napa Cabernet!

$100+

Robert Mondavi 1999 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Notes
Number 12 on Wine Spectators Top 100 Wines of 2002! The 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is selected from their finest Napa Valley vineyards, sites that yield complex, long-lived wines

Beringer 1997 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley , California

Winemaker's Notes
Vintage 1997 has already been recognized as exceptional within a decade of outstanding vintages, producing wines of deep concentration and rich tannins that promise longevity