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Friday, August 28, 2009

TGIF and Red Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon – 2006

Ah, Friday night, one of the best nights of the week. I think this calls for one of the best inexpensive wines I’ve tasted recently, Red Diamond Cabernet. Aromas consist of black cherry, currant, and a hint of smokiness. The aromas carry over to the flavor as I taste cherry, chocolate, black berries and a slight oak flavor create multiple layers from the first touch on the tongue to the finish. In the glass it’s a rich ruby color with nice looking legs (couldn’t resist). Red Diamond began in 2003 with a Merlot and sold only to restaurants (sound familiar…Copperridge) but the clamor for the wine was so great they decided to go public, selling to the public that is. By 2005 they had added a Cabernet, Chardonnay and Shiraz to their profile.

Red Diamond is located in Washington State and this Cabernet wine is actually a blend consisting of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah, 8% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The 2006 growing season saw major weather extremes, near record rainfall during the early spring and record high temperatures in the early to mid-summer. Despite these challenges the higher regions produced early ripening grapes as well as higher tannins. In the cooler climates later ripening produced optimal color and more fruit flavors with less tannins.

Like a lot of people I shop not only by the varietal and price but by the label. The label looks like part of a tribal band and really jumps out at you, hmm, maybe for my next tattoo????

I found this wine at Publix retailing for $8.99, just barely under the Wine Chicks wine budget!

Chickadees Word of the Day:
Petit Verdot – Red wine grape grown mostly in France’s Bordeaux region. Produces full bodied, deep colored wines with peppery, spicy flavors and high tannins and alcohol (I knew I liked this grape).

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