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.