Sage Vineyard 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Woo Hoo!! Damn the Olympics are messing with my beauty sleep. I tried, for the love of christ how I tried, to put those draconian sporting events aside, watch my back-to-back Law and Order and pass out at 10 PM like I did back in the good ol' pre-2008 Beijing Olympics days, but again, No Go. Hey OLYMPICS: Start earlier!

Anyhoo, tonight's insomniac reason? The US men's volleyball match vs. those pesky Russians. When did I start caring about volleyball?!?! Especially men's volleyball? Anyone can understand a certain interest in track and field, esp with Lolo Jones and Sheena Tosta running around. And beach volleyball, anytime. Plus Phelps and Bolt and all 'dem other record-smashers. But men's volleyball?  Hey, it's competition, that's all I can chalk it up to. So even after quaffing several brews and lotsa BBQ tonight I am again wide awake at 2 AM, sucking up to NBCs sick programming.

So I am counting on this new, sassy Napa Cab blend I found the other day at a certain local wine shop ...known by two letters and an ampersand...you know... to help the sandman visit me soon. Anyway, back to the wine - the 2005 Sage Veedercrest Cabernet Blend.  Yeah baby! I mean, Mt. Veeder Cabs are right up there with the best from Howell Mountain, Diamond Mountain and I am sure, other mountains.

The details, you plead for? OK, enough rambling. Holy crap Russia just tied the v-ball match at 2-2! Yipes! Oh yeah, back to the wine: Odd, you may say bizarre, that I like this wine. Why? Because it's a blend, as I mentioned above. Itsa  40/30/30 of Cab Sauv, Merlot and cab Franc. Kinda Bordeaux-ish, which if bother to read (or as you said, Gants) remember what we preach to you, we despise. Barnyard. Cow crap if barnyard isn't specific enough, is how we rate most Bordeaux blends. But not this puppy!

Why does this vino rate a mention on VinDivine, my kittens? Well, Mt. Veeder fruit rocks. Bottom line. And although some blends just turn into mutt wines, they did this one right. The Cab Sauv comes through strong, and the Merlot and Franc contribute what they should - some balance, great nose and  structure. The end result is a kick-ass wine with blackberry and dark cherry notes, perfect tannins and overall, just damn good taste! I have a feeling this one's a keeper. Ooops, too bad I just polished off the bottle! Get yerself some! And for a Veeder Cab, it's cheap - about $35 bones.   

Hey Sage: Invest in a damn website, wouldja? I can't even find a bottle shot. Help me help you!

JHC, US just beat Russia in 5 sets, 15-13! Now I know why I stay up for this stuff!