In the past couple of weeks we received some of the wonderful, new Block Wines to add to the list of great wine values we have found in this line of wines. New to us are the Block 346 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford, the Block 516 Reserve Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley in Sonoma and another example of a Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley area of Rutherford, the Block 314. To all of those familiar with the Block Series of wines, these will be everything you have come to expect, from this extraordinary venture that ABC is lucky enough to be a part of.

 The two Cabernets, though from the same AVA (American Viticulture Area), are very different animals, both in aromatics and flavor profiles. The 2011 Block 346 ($19.99) has subtle tones of raspberry, spice and toast on the nose. On the palate it shows a little tight initially, but as it begins to open it fills your mouth with ripe, red berry fruit, a stony mineral character with a finish of elegant, lush tannins. It is a wine that will be enjoyed today and tomorrow, but can certainly be held onto for the next few years. The Block 314 Cabernet ($19.99) from the same vintage is a very different Cabernet than the Block 346. It is a wine with much more of traditional Rutherford character, especially the finish that displays the telltale “dusty” notes that Rutherford is so well-known for. The Block 314 is a more structured wine with flavors of leather, black fruit, oak and a touch of cassis. It will also do well for a number of years, but is so good right now…why wait!

   The 516 Reserve Chardonnay ($18.99) from the Russian River Valley of Sonoma, leaves little doubt as to where it was from. This 2012 Chardonnay was all about the Russian River, both in style and flavor, so for those of you that truly enjoy the lush, creamy, buttery flavors that seem to describe Chardonnay from California, then this wine is for you. It is a delicious wine that is, like all Block series wine, a terrific value that has to be tasted to really appreciate. These are wines that will not be on the shelves for long, so if you don’t get your case of each soon, you may not get any at all…so what are you waiting for??

Ken Amendola, NE Florida wine supervisor

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