Kaiken Cabernet 2011

Kaiken 2011

Cabernet Sauvignon $12.99

Mendoza, Argentina

14.5% Alcohol

Charles 3 stars

Melissa 2.5 stars

Looks: very dark burgundy, opaque, slow forming legs. Low contrast.

Nose: cherries, earthy, dark fruits, coffee, chocolate, slight spice, maybe clove. not a very hot nose. 

Taste : pretty tannic, peppery, not much sweetness, not strong fruit flavors. Smooth drinking.

Juan Gil Mouvédre 2011

Juan Gil 2011

Mouvédre $16.99

Jumilla, Spain

15.0% Alcohol 

Charles 3.5 stars

Melissa 3.0 stars

Visual:  Very dark color, no staining, quick legs, no contrast.  Very dark purple!

Nose: French oak comes through strong, along with spices (not pepper) and leather.  Vanilla, clove also.  Dark fruits like bing cherries.

Taste: Oak, Vanilla, Strawberry and a backbone of tannins and dryness that hangs around into the finish. 

Would like to test test vs the Olivares Monastrell.

Cline Mourvédre 2011

Cline 2011
Mourvédre $13.99
14.5% Alcohol
Sonoma, CA
Charles - 3.0 stars
Melissa - 2.5 stars

After drinking a Mourvédre last night, we just had to have another, so we bought all of the varietal that our local wine store had.  Luckily for my billfold it was only three bottles.  This was the only one from the US, so lets see how it compares to its Spanish brethren.

Visual: Raspberry colored.  Good clarity, not much contrast to speak of.  Fairly quick forming legs.  No staining.

Aroma: Chocolate, ripe dark berries, tobacco

Taste: Notable tannins. Not much complexity here.  Tastes like it smells, which is a good thing.  Fairly fruit forward and decent bodied.  Carries through into a decently long finish.

The grape itself tasted very similar.  We preferred the Spanish wine as it offered up more complexity and was a touch less tannic.

Olivares Altos de la Hoya 2011

Olivares Altos de la Hoya 2011
Monastrell (aslo known as Mourvèdre or Mataró) $11.98
Jumilla, Spain
14% alcohol
Charles - 3.75 stars
Melissa - 3.5 stars

Visual:  Deep, rich burgundy in color.  Border line purple. No staining with moderately formed legs.

Aromatics: Cherries, Plums, Dried fruits, Leather, Vanilla, Spice, and all things nice.

Sip: Starts soft on the palate and builds into big flavors expected of Spanish wine.  Medium tannin's initially but ease on the back end.  Smooth finish with lingering cherries and a pleasant spiciness which makes you look forward to the cold weather ahead.

I'll admit that I only bought this wine due to the wine spectator clipping that was loosely taped to the rack. It had a good score (90), interesting tasting notes, and a good price.  When I brought it home and started writing this review, I realized I had no idea what the hell it was.  What is "Monastrell?" Apparently its a Rhone grape (Mourvèdre) or as its called in the US, Mataró. I'll try to commit that to memory.

Mourvèdre is believed to have developed in Spain (Catalonia area) and spread into France in the 16th century. It was widely planted until the phylloxera epidemic of the 19th century. Mourvèdre didn't take well to the american root stock (that solved the phylloxera epidemic) and was replanted with other varieties as a result.

Mourvèdre is used all by itself, but is also commonly blended. GSM wines, or Southern Rhone Blends use Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah.  Mourvèdre is known to be fairly tannic and earthy, but is largely dependent on the terroir.


Here are some others I want to try:
California - Cline Ancient Vine Mourvèdre 2011 - $13.99

CASTANO MONASTRELL'11/12 750ml - $9.99
CASA CASTILLO MONASTRELL'10/11 - $11.99

HEWITSON OLD GARDEN MOURVED'10  $75.99

Rutherford Ranch 2009

Rutherford Ranch 2009
Cabernet Sauvignon $15.00
Napa, CA
13.5% Alcohol
2.5 stars

Tasted tart, but flavorful.  Balanced. Fruit Forward.

Easy drinking wine.

Chateau Smith 2008

Chateau Smith 2008
Cabernet Sauvignon $19.99
Washington State
Charles Smith Wines
13.5% Alcohol
2.0 Stars


Dark Red in color.


Not Very Floral.  Cherries, hints of wood.

Very Dry on the palate.

Saldo 2009

Orin Swift Saldo 2009
Red Blend $28.99 (80% Zinfandel, 9% Petit Sirah, 8% Syrah, 3% Grenache)
Napa, CA
15.5% Alcohol
3.0 Stars

Low Contrast.  Dark Color

Fragrant.  Prevalent Alcohol

Jammy, spicy and balanced.

Notes: Enjoyable but lacked the punch of flavor that abstract and prisoner have.  For the price I was expecting a bit more.