A bunch of mostly Cal Cabs

Last night my wife and I attended a benefit for the Museum of Contemporary Art in Cleveland. The first couple were served with dinner. The last ones were enjoyed at a private table with my friend Tom F. who was one of the hosts of the event.

• 2014 Oxford Landing Cabernet Sauvignon 80 Points

  Australia, South Australia

  Served at a MOCA benefit. Purple in color. The nose is woody with red berries. No depth. Tastes ripe. Certainly drinkable but lacking much interest. Has an artificial feel to it.

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• 2014 William Hill Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast 84 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  A step up from the Oxford Landing. The nose has plums and some cassis along with chocolate and lumber. Nice enough texture. No depth but has some interest. Chocolate and cherries on the palate. Certainly drinkable but it gets tiresome after a bit.

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• 2009 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  This is excellent. I am a bit surprised as to how well it is drinking, but then I remember that 09 is now 7 years from vintage. The nose is nice with cassis, plums, cherries and some herbal strings. On the palate, lovely texture. Not as big as some vintages. Lots of fruit, already making the move to tertiary complexity. Still plenty of fruit left. Some tannins. Long finish.

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• 2009 Hundred Acre Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon The Ark Vineyard 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This is a big, more masculine wine. Very powerful and stood in contrast to the more elegant Shafer Hillside Select. Lots of mocha and cassis on the nose. Firm tannins. Lots of fruit on the palate. While deep, it took some coaxing to get it to unwind a bit in the glass. This seemed to need air or more cellaring. That said, it is delicious and very satisfying now. Still, I would hold a bit.

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• 2009 Seven Stones Cabernet Sauvignon 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  I have always liked this winery although I quit buying as the price escalated. It has a lovely elegance to it that I think stands apart from a lot of other wines. This was no exception. Cassis, licorice and tarragon on the nose. The palate has nice layering with vibrant red fruit. Great balance. Smoother tannins. Long finish. Delicious but really interesting as well.

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• 2013 Bevan Cellars Pinot Noir Petaluma Gap 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Petaluma Gap

  This would not a Pinot for Burgundy lovers, that's for sure. The nose has black raspberries, black cherries and sandalwood. The flavors on the palate match. Some tannins. This is big and fruit filled and one of the more open and accessible 2013's I have had so far. Bevan's always seem to drink great early and this is true here as well. I liked it very much but it is a different take on Pinot, even for CA.

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Thanks to Tom and Kathy. Quite a fun night.