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Wines of the Week: Cabernet from the USA

Cabernet is still king. Even with all the new trends of blends and the rising popularity of other grape varieties, Cab remains on top. With so many choices out there, here's a little guidance for a handful of them from the good old USA. Cheers and enjoy!

Click on labels to enlarge

Kenwood 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery: Kenwood
Grape(s):
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec, & 2% Cabernet Franc
Region: Sonoma County, California
Year: 2014

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
10-15

Review:
A combination of blackberries, currants, and black cherries meets hints of toasty oak, brown spice, and dried herbs on the nose. Flavors of bramble berry and dark cherry come together among notes of herbs, barrel spice, and vanilla on the palate. Much less fruit driven than almost any Cab in its price range, fans of an old world style should check it out.
Rating: 89

Chateau Ste. Michelle "Indian Wells" 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery: Chateau Ste. Michelle
Grape(s):
88% Cabernet Sauvignon & 12% Syrah
Region: Washington, USA

Year:
2015

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
10-15

Review:
A bouquet of black cherry, blackberry, spice, and bacon rises up from a glass. Dark cherries, plums, and cassis flavors intermingle among suggestions of game, cocoa, and spice on the palate. Offering good balance for a Cab under $15, if you like a more robust style (instead of lush and fruity), this is a bargain.
Rating: 90

Tuck Beckstofer "75" 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery: Tuck Beckstofer
Grape(s):
100% Cabernet
Region:
California

Year: 2016

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
15-20

Review:
Blackberry, strawberry and red currant aromas mingle among suggestions of toasty oak, butterscotch, and spice on the nose. The palate presents with flavors of blackberries and strawberries that flow into expressions of toasty oak, butterscotch, and earth. Polished tannins and welcoming fruit make this an approachable Cab.
Rating: 88

Educated Guess 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery: Educated Guess
Grape(s):
84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, & 1% Cabernet Franc
Region:
Napa Valley, California

Year: 2016

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
20-25

Review:
On the nose, blackberries, cherries, and currants play among nuances of dark chocolate and barrel spice. Blackberry, black cherry, and plum flavors flow into elements of cocoa, toasty oak, and clove on the palate. With plush tannins and welcoming fruit, it's not a Cab for a steak but it will work nicely when you serve meat loaf.
Rating: 89

By Jason Barlow

Other Related Links:

Ratings Key:
96 — 100
Spectacular
92 — 95
Outstanding
89 — 91
Great
85 — 88
Good
81 — 84
Solid

*Wines rated with a "+" need a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will do so over the coming years

 

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