It seems like every California winery makes Cabernet Sauvignon, putting them out like pairs of socks, leaving the consumer befuddled at the liquor store. Some cost $10 a bottle, while some are priced in the hundreds. How do you know which ones pass your palate’s picky test? I like to stick with those in the sweet spot, a place where the bottle costs between $25 (weeds out the cheap-quality wines) and $40 (not yet into rare and exquisite, but still of excellent quality).
2008 Franciscan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, California, $27) is delightfully tannic, with notes of cedar, plum and black cherries and on the drier side. (www.franciscan.com)
2007 Arrowood Vineyards & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma Valley, California, $35) contains a surprising hit of cocoa on the finish, preceded by soft, sultry vanilla and red-cherry notes, and a nose of forest floor. (www.arrowoodvineyards.com)
2007 Simi Winery “Landslide” Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley, California, $35), despite its leathery, dark red-fruit notes, slips seamlessly into a finish with well-structured tannins. (www.simiwinery.com)
2006 Star Lane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Ynez County, California, $40) is soft, almost sultry, with an approachable full-bodied palate with black-cherry notes accented by a rush of white pepper on the finish. (www.starlanevineyard.com)
2008 Murphy Goode Winery “Dealer’s Choice” Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley, California, $26) contains tart red-cherry notes interlaced with cinnamon and toasty oak, turning leathery towards the end of the palate. (www.murphygoodewinery.com)
WINE EVENT OF THE WEEK
To kick off the weekend, drop by Waterford Wine (waterfordwine.com) on Brady Street, which is hosting a free spring-wines tasting from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday. (Yes, that’s right: free!) Just like every Friday afternoon, owner Ben Christiansen will pull out some goodies, but this time he’s focused on “vibrant reds” and “fresh whites.” Ranging in price from $8.99 to $79.99, half a dozen wines will be uncorked. Are you thinking about stocking some wines in your cellar for summer? Then come on out to the tasting!
WINE DEAL OF THE WEEK
You know how sometimes you crave just a little pour of wine but don’t want to commit to a full glass? Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com)’s East Side store, at Prospect and North Avenues, totally understands. A self-dispensing machine near the cheese counter sells 16 pours of wine for a buck each (half are reds, the other half whites). Recently, paired with two slices of pizza bought near the deli, I sampled 2010 “The Show” Garnacha from Northeast Spain, which expressed black-cherry notes with a spicy finish. Not into pizza? You can grab sushi, paninis, a fistful of Marcona almonds, a wedge of expensive cheese, even brats from the beer/brat counter behind the soaps, shampoos and such.
WINE OF THE WEEK
If you stopped drinking Riesling long ago, convinced they are all syrupy sweet, try this Washington State wonder to experience the difference. 2010 Beast “Sphinx” Riesling Wallula Vineyard (Horse Heaven Hills, Walla Walla, Washington, $25), from Buty Winery, has nicely balanced grapefruit notes, along with hints of green apple and gooseberry, and a soft finish rich with mineralities. (www.butywinery.com)
