Valentine's Day is fast approaching!  It is not too late to plan a great meal for your loved one, and any good meal is complemented by great wine pairings.  Lorie O'Sullivan, Sommelier at TOCA restaurant at the new Ritz Carleton Hotel in Toronto, has selected Hawkes 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon as the perfect pairing for Chef Ezra Title's braised beef short ribs main in his Valentine's Day menu.  Check it out at Chez Vous Dining.

Hawkes 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon is available at a Vintages location near you, for the great price of $29.95.  Released this past Saturday, February 5th, stock is already moving very steadily.  Be sure to check inventories at a store near you, or ask your local store manager to see if they can procure some for you.

For more information on Hawkes 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, please check out our previous release annnouncement.

Hawkes 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon is available at a Vintages location near you, for the great price of $29.95.  Released this past Saturday, February 5th, stock is already moving very steadily.  Be sure to check inventories at a store near you, or ask your local store manager to see if they can procure some for you.

Hawkes 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon is estate grown and produced in the Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in barrel for 22 months, 40 percent of which was new French oak. It is a blend of fruit from two hillside vineyards: 60 percent from the Pyramid Ranch Vineyard, 40 percent from the Red Winery Road Vineyard.

Slight toasty oak notes frame the expressive currant, cherry and plum notes on the nose. The fruit notes carry through to the elegantly balanced palate with hints of spice and vanilla. This wine is a pure expression of Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Hawkes 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon has received rave reviews from:

- Wine Enthusiast: "This is a beautiful Cabernet and at ..., a relative bargain given the price that great Napa Cab has hit. Dry and complex, it shows wonderful tannic structure, and the smoky oak is subtle, allowing the black and red currant and plum flavors to star. Lovely now, and should develop through 2012. Score - 92. (Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 31, 2008)"

- Natalie MacLean: "A plummy, rich red that's balanced and full-bodied with delicious dark berries and cassis and smoky long finish. Decant for 1-2 hours. Food matches: beef rib roast. 91 points!" (www.nataliemaclean.com)

- David Lawrason: "This is a very stylish and even cabernet. A bit sweet for the genre, but it is compact with fine acidity and tannin. Expect ripe, almost dried fruit character with nicely integrated chocolaty, spicy oak. Length is very good to excellent. Enjoyable now through 2015. 90 points. (www.winealign.com)"

Chateau Tour d'Horable 2005 is available in a Vintages location near you, for the low price of $14.95.  Stock is moving quite steadily, so why not head on over to the location nearest you and try a bottle?

Chateau Tour d'Horable originates from the Right Bank of Bordeaux, the Cotes de Castillon sub-appelation, and is predominantly fruit-forward Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc for elegance.  This wine is from the 2005 vintage, generally acclaimed as one of the greatest Bordeaux vintages of our generation. As such, this wine can be put away (in proper storage conditions ;) to be enjoyed a few years from now; decant for an hour and you can enjoy a bottle this Christmas as well!  

Chateau Tour d'Horable 2005 received rave reviews from Natalie MacLean:

"A plummy, rich red that's balanced and full-bodied with delicious dark berries and cassis and smoky long finish. Decant for 1-2 hours. Food matches: beef rib roast. 89 points!" (www.nataliemaclean.com)