Tag Archives: cabernet sauvignon

Wine of the week: Matchbook Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Matchbook Caberrnet sauvignon bottle
Matchbook Cabernet Sauvignon 2020/$10-$18

Top-notch, and even age worthy, California cabernet for around $12

The Wine Curmudgeon is speechless – almost type-less, in fact. The Matchbook cabernet sauvignon is a great California wine that most of us can afford and that is widely available.

How often does that happen anymore?

So, gathering my senses to give this wine its due: Know that the Matchbook Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 ($12, purchased, 13.9%) does all it is supposed to do:

• Tastes like California cabernet and not a red wine called cabernet that has been blended with who knows what to take out all the cabernet characteristics.

• That means dark berry fruit that opens up and becomes less brambly, fine-grained tannins, a bit of cedar, and even sort of dusty. It’s almost age worthy. And I still can’t believe I’m writing this.

• It’s not from Napa or Sonoma, but from the less expensive Dunnigan Hills in – gasp – the Central Valley. It’s not aged in the most expensive oak. And it’s blended with petit verdot, malbec, and petite sirah, all of which adds to the whole.

How impressive is this wine? There’s a Winestream Media critical rave from someone who agrees with me about as often as I buy $150 rose.

Highly recommended, and certain make the shortlist for the 2023 Cheap Wine of the Year (as well as next year’s Hall of Fame.

Wine of the week: Our Daily Cab 2020

Our Daily cab bottle
Our Daily Cab 2020/$7.50-$13

How about a $10 California cabernet sauvignon that tastes like cabernet sauvignon?

A blog reader told me about the Our Daily Wines several years ago, and its red blend has appeared as the wine of the week a couple of times. Somehow, the winery does something that the experts say is impossible in California — it makes quality cheap wine that tastes like wine.

No, these are not high-end Napa or Bordeaux reds, and no one will wax poetic about them in the Winestream Media. But those of us who want an honest, professionally made red wine for dinner will be more than happy.

The 2020 version of Our Daily Cab ($10, purchased, 12.5%) does exactly that – and is much more interesting that I thought it would be, given how difficult it is to make drinkable caberent sauvignon at this price.

It’s a little softer than the red blend, which was surprising, but that’s an advantage. And, save for the fake oak, which it doesn’t need quite so much of, it’s a fine wine (even organic and sulfite-free). There’s some cabernet fruit (plum? cassis?), plus soft tannins and acidity. In this, it’s mostly balanced, something else that’s not easy to do with cabernet at this price.

In this, the wine is much better than it has a right to be. This is summer grilling wine, and just the thing for burgers and brats.

A couple of notes: the 2021 has been released, with a different label, and this is also available in a 1.5 liter box.

Mini-reviews 154: Funckenhausen, aligote, white pinot noir, Domaine Laroque

holiday giftsReviews of wines that don’t need their own post, but are worth noting for one reason or another. This month, more cleaning out the wine closet.

• Funckenhausen Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 ($15/1-liter, sample, 13.9%): Another in a series of 1-liter wines from this Argentine producer that mostly offer fine value but can be difficult to find. Because, of course, the wine business. A little brambly, soft, and fruity, but not flabby. Imported by Global Vineyard Importers

• Roux Père & Fils Bourgogne-Aligoté 2020 ($18, purchased, 12.5%): Simple French white that is Macon-like, though aligote is a different grape than chardonnay. That means fresh, some citrus, and some minerality — and should cost $12. Imported by Monsieur Touton Selections

• Aniello Blanco de Pinot Noir 2021 ($17, sample, 13%): White pinot noir from Argentina, since white pinot noir is a very wine geeky things these says. Somehow, though, it has tannins — despite being made without the skins (that lend tannins) to make it white.  Imported by Global Vineyard Importers

• Domaine Laroque Cabernet Franc 2019 ($14, purchased, 13%): I expected this French red to be more stony and edgy (for lack of a better term). Instead, it was soft, with almost violet fruit (again, for lack of a better term).

Mini-reviews 151: Black Friday edition 2021

black friday wine
“Who knew there would be such a line to buy those two roses the WC likes?”

Reviews of wines that don’t need their own post, but are worth noting for one reason or another. Look for it on the fourth Friday of each month. This month: two roses and two reds for Black Friday 2021

• Les Deux Moulins Rose 2020 ($17, purchased, 12.5%): This French pink is one of the best roses I’ve tasted in years, which means a couple of things. First, availability may be a problem. Second, it may cost as much as $20. But it’s worth it — fruity (strawberry), not quite tart,  and a long finish that’s not quite crisp. It’s a weird blend to boot, with gamay, cabernet franc, and something called grolleau. Highly recommended. Imported by Paris Wine Co.

• Cellier des Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Reserve 2018 ($11, purchased, 14.5%): The French red is a little disappointing, given the quality of the white. The syrah in the blend, though only 40 percent, seems to overpower the grenache. Not badly done, just not what I was hoping for. Black fruit, heavy in the mouth. Imported by Plume Ridge

• Castle Rock Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 ($11, sample, 13.5%): This Washington state red is solid, supermarket-quality cabernet — some green herbs, some dark fruit, and sturdy tannins. If it’s not especially Washington state, it’s not soft and gooey, either.

• Capezzana Vin Ruspo 2020 ($15, purchased, 12.5%): An Italian rose that is oh so pretty, full of berries and almost rich — yet somehow also fresh. A fine example of the Italian style. And, of course, availability may be limited. Imported by Dalla Terra

Wine of the week: Parducci Cabernet Sauvignon Small Lot 2018

Parducci Cabernet Sauvignon Small Lot 2018
Parducci Cabernet Sauvignon Small Lot 2018/$10-$14

Parducci’s Cabernet Sauvignon Small Lot demonstrates that it’s possible to find terroir-driven wine from California at a fair price

Who knew that the minute the Wine Curmudgeon despaired of finding affordable, quality California wine that so much would show up?

Like this one. And this one. And now, the Parducci Cabernet Sauvignon Small Lot 2018 ($12, purchased, 14.5%).

Does this taste funky, earthy, or much like traditional European cabernet? Nope – because it’s not supposed to. It’s supposed to taste like what it is, which is competent, professionally-made California cabernet sauvignon with all the requisite characteristics.

That means lots of ripe, red fruit (sweet cherries?), soft-ish tannins (but tannins nonetheless), a hint of some kind of oak, a smidge of acidity, and just enough structure to hold the whole thing together. It’s certainly not smoooth, and it is definitely dry – it is cabernet, after all.

This wine needs food, be it red meat at an end of the season barbecue or spaghetti and meatballs.

Wine of the week: McManis Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

McManis cabernet sauvignon
McManis Cabernet Sauvignon 2019/$-$12

Call it McManis month on the blog – and why not, given that this is a spectacular California red

Typically, I try to vary the wines of the week, alternating color, varietal, and producer so no one grape or winery gets more than its share of attention. But when I looked through my notes to plan this month’s wines of the week, I found I had overlooked several McManis labels. Which was a serious mistake, given the paucity of quality $10 wine these days – and especially from California.

So the McManis viognier showed up a couple of weeks ago, and today it’s the turn of the McManis Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 ($10, sample, 13.5%). This is cheap red wine in all its glory – a cabernet that tastes like California cabernet and that hasn’t been “smooothed,” tarted up, or reduced to something that people who drink Dr Pepper would want to drink, if they actually drank wine.

That means herbal, rich and full, with just the right amount of tannins, and with plenty of dark fruit. Maybe it’s black cherry – or even, perhaps, currants, one of the geekiest cabernet descriptors and usually reserved for a $35 wine. The McManis is not sweet, but the fruit is ripe and no one will ever confuse it with an earthy, elegant French red made with cabernet. But it’s not supposed to be confused with one, is it?

Highly recommended, and a candidate for the 2022 Cheap Wine of the Year, as well as to remain in the Hall of Fame. Bring on the burgers and grilled beef, sip a glass or two, and be glad that McManis believes in quality when so many others in California believe in focus groups.

Fourth of July wine 2021

Let’s help the WC find quality cheap wine for Fourth of July

Fourth of July wine 2021: Four bottles to enjoy for Independence Day

The Wine Curmudgeon, several readers have noted, usually doesn’t choose U.S. wines for the annual Fourth of July post. Mostly, that’s because of price and availability. This year, though, I found one — as well as quality cheap wines from elsewhere in the world.

And, as always, keep our summer and porch wine guidelines in mind for this time of year. Consider these Fourth of July wine 2021 suggestions:

• Parducci Cabernet Sauvignon Small Lot 2018 ($13, purchased, 14.5%): Competent, professionally-made California cabernet sauvignon with all the requisite traits — lots of ripe, red fruit (sweet cherries?), soft-ish tannins, a hint of some kind of oak, not too hot, and just enough structure. This is firmly in the New World style, but also tastes like wine.

• Lubanzi Chenin Blanc 2019 ($15, purchased, 12.5%): This South African white isn’t quite as crisp as I like my chenin blanc, but still well done — apple and pear fruit, maybe a little lemon. It’s not soft — just not as crisp as something like the Ken Forester. Imported by Cape Venture

• Spinelli Terre Di Chieti Rosato 2019 ($8, purchased, 12.5%): This Italian pink costs as little as €3 in Italy. Berry fruit, almost savory in what seems to be an Italian style much preferred by Italians, as well as bone dry and a stony finish. Highly recommended. Imported by Enotec Imports

• Poema Cava Brut NV ($12, purchased, 11.5%): A touch softer than traditional cava, the Spanish sparkling wine. That means red apple instead of green and not as much lemon. But well done, and the bubbles belie the price. Imported by Kobrand

Photo: “Happy Fourth of July 2013!” by JD Hancock is licensed under CC BY 2.0

More Fourth of July wine:
• Fourth of July wine 2020
• Fourth of July wine 2019
• Fourth of July wine 2018
• Wine of the week: Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rose Brut NV