2009 Iron Rock Cellars California Cabernet Sauvignon

About This Wine

During the early 1970s, “100 percent varietal” wines were all the rage.

You’d walk into a tasting room, take a sip of the estate’s latest release of Cabernet Sauvignon, and ask the attendant, “Is this 100 percent Cab?” Invariably, the answer would be yes. This trend continued well into the 1980s.

Exactly why “100 percent” varietals became so popular is not known. Certainly, the wine press liked them. But as the ’80s faded to but a memory and the ’90s dawned, the big, bold, tannic flavors associated with Cabernet Sauvignon fell somewhat out of favor. The new trend? Finesse. Wineries still made Cabs, but they began blending them with Merlot and other varieties in order to round off the “sharp edges,” making them accessible at a younger age.

That’s the approach embraced by Iron Rock Cellars, which blends a number of red varieties with its Cabernet. The finished wine is medium-bodied and food-friendly — and ready to enjoy tonight.

About Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep color and richness with the potential to age a long time, and better still if aged in oak before bottling. Classic flavors blackcurrant, plum, cherry and spice. The most popular varietal of red wine in America.

Tasting Notes

• Grape Composition:90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Other Red Varieties
• Grape Source:Select Vineyards in Various California Growing Regions
• Aromas & Flavors:Cassis, Bing Cherry, Wood and a Hint of Bacon
• Aging Vessels:Assorted Oak Barrels
• When to Drink:Now Through 2013
• Food Pairing Suggestiona bacon-wrapped filet, or a grilled bacon-and-cheddar sandwich.

Member Ratings

Recipes.

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  Red Wine Bundt Cake It's not easy to match Cabernet Sauvignon with dessert. Not easy...but not impossible. Try this recipe with your favorite . . . Get The Recipe
  

  Beef Roast With Winter Fruit This recipe is ideal for the chilly evenings of winter, and matches beautifully with Cabernet Sauvignon or red Bordeaux. It makes 12 servings. Get The Recipe
  

  Sausage Jambalaya This recipe makes a great meal, especially on a cold day. Try it with Syrah, Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon. And if you'd like to save a few fat grams, substitute turkey sausage for the beef. This recipe makes 8 servings. Get The Recipe
  

  Pork Tenderloin With Tart Cherry Port And Caraway Sauce This delicious recipe from Sonoma County's J. Fritz Winery matches beautifully with almost any red wine. It makes 4 to 6 servings. Get The Recipe
  

  Pan Fried Lamb Chops This recipe, which makes 4 servings, features flavors that can be enjoyed with virtually any red wine. Turn it into a complete meal with a side dish jasmine rice. Get The Recipe
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  Smoked Salmon Penne Pasta In a world of "anything goes" food-and-wine pairing, we're always on the lookout for recipes that match well with either white or red wines. This is one such recipe, and it makes two servings... Get The Recipe
  

  Stuffed Flank Steak With Sonoma Sausage Spinach And Pine Nuts Cabernet Sauvignon calls for hearty food, and this recipe is an ideal match. It serves 6... Get The Recipe
  

  Cote De Boeuf For Two When you want a special dish to serve with a special red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon or a rich Rhone blend, try this recipe. As its name indicates, it makes 2 servings. Cote de Boeuf for Two Get The Recipe
  

  Cabernet Sauvignon Ice Cream Our friends at Alexander Valley Vineyards came up with this wonderful recipe a few years ago. We've tried it with Cabernet Sauvignon (as the recipe calls for), as well as Merlot, Primitivo, Cabernet Franc and Zinfandel... and every time, it turns out delicious! It's best made with an ice cream maker, and if you have such a machine, it's extremely easy to assemble. Enjoy! Get The Recipe
  

  Tuscan Style Roasted Game Hens If you're looking for a change from turkey or ham this holiday season, try this easy-to-prepare dish that matches well with both white and red wines. It serves 6... Get The Recipe
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  Radicchio Risotto Try this dish with a big red wine such as Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon. It makes 4 servings. Get The Recipe
  

  Tomato Pesto Pasta A wonderful match with Cabernet Sauvignon, this recipe helps bring out the fruitful quality of the wine. It also matches nicely with other red wines, and serves 4. Get The Recipe
  

  Mustard Crusted Rack Of Lamb Try this tasty recipe, which serves 4 or more, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or a red blend containing any of the aforementioned varieties... Get The Recipe
  

  Maytag Bleu T Bone Steaks We decided to tap the "Born to Grill" cookbook for this amazingly flavorful recipe for the summer. It serves 4. Get The Recipe
  

  Beef Rib Eye With Sweet Onion Topping This dish pairs beautifully with Syrah (a.k.a. Shiraz), as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and red blends. This recipe makes 4 servings Get The Recipe