ESO Central Coast 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $11.70-$13.00, 88 points, poured a crushed black currant Bordeaux red with a transparent ring at the mildly draping glass wall.
The nose was a pleasant bouquet of toasty red cherry and red licorice with a hint of bell pepper.
Medium bodied with good acidity and an already resolved tannin balanced favorably with flavors of strawberry, red cherry, and savory notes.
Finished fair on the trailing palate, damson plum, an easy 13.8% alcohol, and mild spice notes.
There was a bit of sediment in the bottle; you might want to let it stand for a while or decant.
I bought this at the Londonderry Hannaford's Super Market.
Sterling Napa Valley 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, $18.99-$22.99, 89 points, poured a lush purple/red, almost ruby, and finished with a broad clear rim at the leggy glass wall.Red cherry and blueberry with cedar were aromatic.
Medium-plus bodied with good acidity, mellow to moderate tannin supported flavors of licorice, oak, mulberry, boysenberry with eucalyptus, gently persistent white pepper, and mint on the fair finish. The well integrated 14.6% alcohol was appropriate.
Foley Johnson Napa Valley 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, $24.74-$44.99, 92 points, appeared near black and trended a darker purple/red than most Shiraz wines I've looked at; a thin transparent ring greeted the leggy glass wall.
Hints of black cherry with bourbon notes were pleasant and enticing aromas.
Full-bodied with good acidity and firm tannin complimented this smooth red wine with some elegance.
Flavors mirrored the aromas, but cedar, blackberry, savory, and plum were excellent additions.
Finished on an escalating tannin, warmth from the 14.1% alcohol, mild spice, and a hint of mint.
Index-of-reviewed-wines
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Just a side note about three friends doing a blind tasting with these three wines: two chose the Foley, and one chose the ESO as the best of the three. Interesting that the ESO being the lightest and most reminiscent of Pinot Noir red wine was chosen by the one wine taster that favors PN: he was true to his palate!
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