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It goes without saying that Bordeaux wines are still some of the most sought after wines in the world, so it's no surprise that everyone and their brother tries to imitate them. In Bordeaux, as elsewhere in the wine world, these wines are a mix of (5) grape varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabenet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The bulk of winemakers creating a Bordeaux-type blend will use predominently the first three grapes. In the New World, since they use varietal names on the label, i.e. Merlot, and can use the grape name as long as the wine is over 75% of the named varietal, they don't have to consider it a blend. Many do however, because the bulk of New World wines contain close to 100% of the named varietal on the bottle. Many give these wines a proprietary name, i.e. Insignia or Opus One, to distinguish it from the regular varietal wine. In Bordeaux this is a different matter, explained further here. New World versions are generally more approachable at a younger age than their Bordeaux counterparts which really need serious time to show their true colors. Bordeaux wines are often imitated, but it's hard to capture the terrior of the region, which once you've tasted you will always recognize, whether you like it or not.
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 | 2006 Happy Canyon Vineyard "Piocho", Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2005 Hedges Family Estate Three Vineyards Red Mountain Blend, Yakima Valley, WA | RATING: ** |
| 2005 La Croix de Beaucaillou, St-Julien, Bordeaux, France | RATING: ** |
| 2004 Brian Benson Cellars "Karma", Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2004 Calcareous Vineyard Twisted Sister, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2004 Stolpman Vineyards Limestone Hill Cuvee, Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2003 Dark Star Cellars Ricordati, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2003 La Parde de Haut-Bailly, Bordeaux, France | RATING: ** |
| 2003 Rio Seco Winery MVP Reserve, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2002 Buttonwood Farm Winery Trevin, Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2002 Dark Star Cellars Ricordati, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2002 Rio Seco Winery MVP Reserve, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: *** |
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**** Outstanding | *** Delicious | ** Enjoyable | * Drinkable
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