Hawk Crest Wines have been a distinctive secondary label for Stags Leap Wine Cellars since 1974. Over the years, the label has become consistently known as one which you can count on to have good value in the mid-price range for California wines. Many large wineries, not as prestigious as Stags Leap, have produced wines with secondary labels which do not live up to the winery's reputation, even though they represent a lower price point. I have enjoyed Hawk Crest Cabernet Sauvignon for many years and have always recommended it as a wise choice in the mid price range.

The 2005 Hawk Crest California Cabernet Sauvignon is a wonderful example of the winery's ability to carry on this tradition! The wine is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon with 2% Petit Verdot blended in to give it "its signature floral note and mid-palate grip and intensity," according to winemaker Mike Smith. The wine has been barrel-aged for twelve months in French oak with 13.8% alcohol, and is made up of 85% Red Hills Lake County grapes and 15% from Paso Robles.

I like this wine a lot, as it has a nose with lots of berries and a flirtation of black cherries. The flavor on the palate is laced with cherries, cassis, and plum, and finishes strong with vanilla flavored tannins and a lingering presence of chocolate. Of course it is going to be good with steak, but it also will compliment roasted or grilled pork loin.

WORLD BEVERAGE 400
6190 Highway 400
Cumming, GA 30040
(678) 513-6284
www.worldbeverage400.com