Old World vs New World: Merlot & Cab Sauv on Blueback Drive (Vancouver Island): Part of a Cabernet Sauvignon or CS-dominant blend blind tasting of old world vs new world. Pronounced nose of sweet red fruit (wild strawberry, black raspberry, cherry tart) as well as olive, cocoa, and earthiness; Very well balanced; considered so easy to drink by some tasters. Two of twelve tasters preferred this wine the most for the flight. In fact, many said this was their fave until they tasted the fourth and final Cab and preferred the Guado al Tasso in the end. The wine's unique blend of Cab Sauv with Syrah and Carmenere and savoury background may have misled some tasters (including myself) that this was the Cab-skewed Supertuscan in the mix. Wrong! I love blind tastings ;-)
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Solid wine. Still in primary fruit phase, although the fruit is starting to dry out a bit. Medium acidity, medium acidity. Mellow smooth dusty tannins that are in the background.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nicest colour – deep dark red. Hint of green pepper notes. Big alcohol. Similar in style to an Orin Swift wine. A solid wine, but the alcohol overwhelms and not as complex a finish as the Sixteen or Thirteen.
10 tasters - Ranked 4 of 6.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.
1/26/2024 - Canoehead Likes this wine:
Old World vs New World: Merlot & Cab Sauv on Blueback Drive (Vancouver Island): Part of a Cabernet Sauvignon or CS-dominant blend blind tasting of old world vs new world. Pronounced nose of sweet red fruit (wild strawberry, black raspberry, cherry tart) as well as olive, cocoa, and earthiness; Very well balanced; considered so easy to drink by some tasters. Two of twelve tasters preferred this wine the most for the flight. In fact, many said this was their fave until they tasted the fourth and final Cab and preferred the Guado al Tasso in the end. The wine's unique blend of Cab Sauv with Syrah and Carmenere and savoury background may have misled some tasters (including myself) that this was the Cab-skewed Supertuscan in the mix. Wrong! I love blind tastings ;-)
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/21/2023 - JAP55 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Showing some aging notes so in its drinking window but somewhat indifferent overall.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
10/9/2023 - lassus wrote: 90 Points
Still drinking well but it may be at or slightly past peak. Some vanilla and oak on the finish, very high alcohol is a bit overwhelming.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/6/2023 - OttawaB Likes this wine: 91 Points
Solid wine. Still in primary fruit phase, although the fruit is starting to dry out a bit. Medium acidity, medium acidity. Mellow smooth dusty tannins that are in the background.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/27/2022 - Vino Loco Likes this wine: 89 Points
Lariana "Thirteen" to "Eighteen" Vertical, and some BC Rosés: Had as part of a "Thirteen" to "Eighteen" vertical (I didn't have the foresight to keep any "Twelve").
Nicest colour – deep dark red. Hint of green pepper notes. Big alcohol. Similar in style to an Orin Swift wine. A solid wine, but the alcohol overwhelms and not as complex a finish as the Sixteen or Thirteen.
10 tasters - Ranked 4 of 6.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment