2002 Paulo Cabernet Sauvignon

OK, so this was a pleasant surprise… On the label, this is subtitled a “Father and Son Cuvee” from Messina Hof Cellars in (are you ready for this?) — Texas. Checking their site, I discovered this one is a blend of 90% Cab and 10% Merlot and a limited production of only 2,688 bottles.

Not what I would call a great Cab, definitely not a big, bold, full bodied monster… but not bad at all. On a 20 point scale I would rate this around 15-16. Has an aromatic nose; lots of dark fruit with a hint of vanilla. The fruit follows on thru the pallate with a hint of red apple or tart plum. I got this along with some questionable bottles and honestly didn’t know what to expect; as stated earlier… a pleasant surprise.

Marietta Cellars Old Vine Red Lot Number Thirty-seven

Still the best $10 that you can spend on a bottle of wine!

I made an entry about lot number 34 last year. I like lot 37 too. It is quite a bit different than the previous versions that I’ve tasted.

This one has a lot of stuff that I like: beautiful dark purple color, dark fruit aroma, spicy-heat, earthy and well-balanced flavors, and a nice smooth finish which comes with a little heat of its own.

I don’t know exactly which grapes are in the blend, but most of the previous blends were Zinfandel, Carignane and Petite Sirah. This time they say there is a bit of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon in there.

This is like a Rhone blend on steroids.