Hogue Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1995

The 1995 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon has good weight and structure, and a complex aroma/flavor profile. The nose suggests blackberries, cassis, leather, toast, vanilla and coffee, with hints of bramble, caramel and mission fig. The flavors are of blackberry jam, ripe plum, cassis, leather and a hint of cedar. The wine's depth and complexity make it a fine partner for many meat dishes, including rack of lamb with mint sauce, peppercorn filet mignon and moussaka. Upon completion of fermentation, the lots were aged for 18 months in American (85 percent) and French oak barrels. Forty percent of the cooperage was new. The best of the barrel lots were blended with a small amount of Merlot, bottled, and aged an additional 18 months before release.