A Taster's Journey is a newsletter on food, wine and travel. After 15 years of studying, tasting, teaching, and selling wine, I created this newsletter to not only share my passion about wine, but of food and travel as well. Each month I hope to share wines that I am drinking, food that is in season, restaurants that I have enjoyed, and places I have traveled. Enjoy!"

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The Wine Cellar

November 23rd, 2003

Everyone enjoys a good $10 bottle of wine, but sometimes you want something special. Here is what I am adding to my wine cellar:

California Blends 2001, 1999 & 1997

California Cabernet has certainly had some excellent years recently, particularly 2001, 1999 and 1997. Although there may be many blockbusters here, the prices have gone through the roof and you better select carefully. My preference from California these days is not a 100% cabernet wine, but a blend. Adding a little Merlot or Cabernet Franc can soften the wine, and give it another layer of flavor. Dominus and Insignia are two of the best, and also command the highest prices. A few other blends that I recommend are: Gary Farrell Encounter, Kathryn Kennedy Lateral, Viader, St. Clement Oroppas and Franciscan Magnificat.

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