Tag Archives: Cabernet Savignon

The Roasted Veggies did it

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Bergerac is a wine region and appellation in South West France, covering an area along the Dordogne River. The wines are close in style to those of Bordeaux, around 100km (60 miles) to the west. Wine has been made in this region since the Romans – and all thanks to the monasteries which established vineyards on the banks of the Dordogne.


This Grand Cuvee is a blend of the classics: Cabernet and Merlot –  It is a most savoury red that works its way around your mouth – full of flavour.  It has length and depth and structure and balance – all in check.  A little softer than most Bordeaux and probably won’t age as well – Not to worry, we’ll be drinking them as soon as we buy more.


We generally have a white with Roast Chicken, but with the mess of roasted veggies around it we decided to have a red blend. Glad we did, the wine beautifully accompanied the meal. 

BERGERAC – CHATEAU LA BESAGE GRANDE CUVEE 2017

$20.99 regularly $21.99

13.5% alcohol

UPC: 03700898210594

Decidedly Chilean

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Not quite Aussie ‘medium bodied”, but certainly more so than many BC and California Savignons. Stone fruit aromas open up to spicy tones and then a lush oaky finish.  It’s nicely structured.


The wine hails from the Coastal area of Maipo Valley, near the Maipo River – Chile’s prime wine region.  Warm days, cool nights and a dry-ish climate.  Texture and rounded tannins come from French/American oak barrel aging.


Grilled pork chops, peas, and yummy scalloped potatoes were a great accompaniment.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON – CHOCALAN RESERVA MAIPO 2018

$15.49 regularly $17.99

13.9% alcohol

UPC: 07804603660400

Stand UP and stand alone

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On it’s own or with food, this works very well.


The higher up the mountain, the greener grows the grass, and deeper the colour of the grapes, and the richer the texture of wines.The dry, hot climate of Argentina is really great for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes ripen very easily, so these Cabs are almost always filled with a lot of fruit flavours.


Argentina is famous for it’s Malbecs, but I think the Cabernets should be on that list too.  They are very affordable and it’s hard to pick a mediocre one these days.  We find them richer and fuller than the Cabs in the Bordeaux, and almost as big as some of the ones from the Napa Valley andalso Australia.


I could make it a very long dinner and keep drinking this. Hamburger Patties. veggie mix and mashed yam/baking potato made ittoo short a supper.

When I go back looking for ‘long’ ribs, I’ll pick up another bottle of this to go with them.

93 Pointer by James Suckling

Uko Cabernet Sauvignon

$17.99, but we got it on sale at $14.99

13.5% Alcohol

UPC: 07798284570175

It just goes

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Hailing from the coastal areas, hence Seaward, this is a narrow band that is close to the cool Atlantic and also the temperateFalse Bay.  Nature takes it course to produce big, flavourful harvests each year.


Multiple prominent reviewers have given this a 90+ points, and it won a Silver medal at the International Wine and Spirits competition of 2019.


To us, it went very well with our ‘all but the kitchen sink’ home made pizza.  Bright – just like the red and yellow peppers.  Fresh – like the garden tomatoes. Robust and able to hold it all up, like the Middle Eastern Pita base. Full of flavour like the garlic and red onion, and it really brought out the flavour of the Feta.

Spier Seaward – Cabernet Sauvignon

$19.99

14% Alcohol

UPC: 00819457001320

Heading to the top

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MONTSANT – CELLER DE CAPCANES MAS DONIS NEGRE
Montsant, Spain
UPC:  08427154011935
13.5% alcohol
$17.99

Full and Robust combination of Tempranillo, Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah.

The grapes come from old vines between 30 and 60 years old, planted on clay and granite soils located on terraces.


This could very easily become one of our favourite red blends yet, because it’s pleasing from beginning to end. Lovely bouquet and a strong finish. It will go with just about anything the cook prepares.

Rewarded for a return visit

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CABERNET SAUVIGNON – MONTES LA FINCA COLCHAGUA 2018

$17.99
UPC:  00628451651208
14% alcohol

We’ve been to this Vineyard before on the Goddess’ recommendation (Pinot Noir), so thought we’d return totry the Cabernet Sauvignon.  Glad we did.


Works really well with pork chops, pasta or braised meats.


This one is nicely balanced for acidity and is medium bodied with a nice smooth finish

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There’ll be another visit to try others from this Colchagua Valley collective.

5 on the Plate 5 in the Glass

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Glen Carlou Grand Classique

14.5% Alcohol

$22.99

The components used in Grand Classique, a blend of 25% each of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, with 13% Merlot and 12% Petit Verdot, are all individually vinified to allow for the development of each one’s unique character. After assemblage the blend is barrel matured in 225L French barriques for 18 months. The mouthfeel is richly textured with a firm yet accessible tannin structure.


Glen Carlou Vineyards is less than 35 minutes’ drive from Cape Town in Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa and covers a 145 ha property.  The vineyard is well known for it’s award winning whites.  (We’ll be going to to try to find some of these.)


You get a full palate that lingers through to a lovely finish.  Full Bodied and well balanced.  Deep rich red colour.  Initially it comes off as spicy and peppery and then settles down into almost an elegance.

We teamed it with a mixed charcuterie, potato salad and coleslaw.


It should have been Raki, instead of Sambuca, with the mixed fruit on frozen yogurt. [Hee Hee]