Three NOBOS Wines Reviewed - Cakegrrl food & wine blogger decided to have a Potluck Tasting Dinner to try our three NOBOS wines.  (Click on the highlighted date to Read the full Review - Nov. 2, 2009, Cakegrrlscakery.blogspot.com)  Here are the highlights:

2005 NOBOS Chardonnay
Nose: A dominate "Toasty Oak". 
Tastes: Butter! Fruity, pear, light citrus, clean.
I would consider the NOBOS a classic California Chardonnay; oakey and buttery. 
Comments: "Yum." "Tasty." "Easy to drink." "Balanced." "Well-rounded."
Pairing ideas: Honestly, it was terrific with the macaroni and cheese! Any shellfish with cream sauce would also work.  Nov. 2, 2009, Cakegrrlscakery.blogspot.com

2005 NOBOS Merlot
Nose: Chocolatey, berries, cherry, currant.
Tastes: Ripe fruit forward, a little heat, dry, fast finish.
NOBOS Merlot is a great wine to drink if you have been staying away from Merlots because of that silly Sideways movie. Come back from your Sideways Merlot ban and feel some Merlove with this one. It was actually my favorite wine of the 3 we tried.
Comments: "Very dry!" "Smooth" "Well-Rounded" "Cherry" "Fast finish" "incredible" "Spicy" "Tobacco" "Tingles on the Tongue"
Pairing ideas: Meatloaf, prime rib, vegetable beef soup. Even a good cheeseburger. Nov. 2, 2009, Cakegrrlscakery.blogspot.com

2005 NOBOS Cabernet Sauvignon
Nose: Woody, cedar, not a lot of fruit but berry undertones.
Tastes: Spicy, not too tannic, plum, soft finish.
The NOBOS Cabernet was pretty well-liked amongst the group. The tannins were well represented, but not overwhelming.
Comments: "dark fruit, cedar" "almost evergreen woody" "medium tannins" "smoother than the merlot" "balanced, oakey" "oak, spicy" "soft, a little lacking in complexity" "dry" "hint of pepper"
Pairing ideas: Steaks, pork chops, Beef Wellington  Nov. 2, 2009, Cakegrrlscakery.blogspot.com

2005 NOBOS Cabernet - 86 Points! Buying Guide: "...this is a dry, briary and rustic Cabernet. It has wild berry, currant and black pepper flavors, with edgy tannins. Needs rich beef and cheese dishes for balanced food pairing." - Feb. 2010, Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast Magazine

2005 NOBOS Cabernet - "Full bodied, dense, dark fruit, brooding, cedar, spice, solid, balanced, cinnamon.  Recommended!" - Jan. 2010, Doug Paulding, Sante Magazine

2005 NOBOS Chardonnay - GOOD VALUE - 89 POINTS - January 2010, Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine.

2005 NOBOS Chardonnay - It was fresh but full of tropical fruit and rich vanilla crème brulée. I enjoyed every moment of drinking it! Realizing how much I miss that style, I wanted more! Full, rich mouthfeel and tropical goodness with a finish that doesn't stop. ...this was more than a steal! - Nov. 9, 2009 Grace Hoffman, Cellarmistress.blogspot.com

2005 NOBOS Cabernet - Wine of the Day: NOBOS is the "all value, with no pretense" brand produced by the Sobon Family....  The grapes are sourced from top growing regions, this one from Dry Creek Valley.  It's a big, tightly wound, most impressive $24 Cabernet from a high-rent district. The nose is cedar off the oak barrels, cassis, dark chocolate and vanilla.  The palate has vibrant acidity, a big blast of coffee and licorice, wood tones that are still in the forefront and tannins that grip the palate.  It's a gentle monster, waiting to age a few more years.  It's intense, concentrated, vicsous, the real deal.  The Detroit News, February 4, 2010