Wine of the week: Parducci Cabernet Sauvignon Small Lot 2018
by Wine Curmudgeon Posted On
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.