2010 Greystone Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

This California Cabernet has a huge amount strawberries on the nose with a hint of vanilla and cedar chips. The strawberries translate to a juicy flavor, almost like jam. We also got generous amounts of dark chocolate and a nice layer of toasted oak. It's a little fruit forward with a little added spice. We felt it was a little flat and one-dimensional, however it is well balanced, has a decent amount of tannin and a long smooth finish. This cab doesn't achieve a high score, but it does earn our seal of recommendation based on its sub-$10 price-point. It is highly serviceable in a group and most definitely stands up to everyday drinking.



Body: Full
Approx. Cost: $9.97 can be found here at WineChateau
Food Pairing: Bone-in veal chop or Pasta Bolognese

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2011 Big House Wines Unchained Chardonnay

Delicate nose of sour apple and pear. We tasted flinty notes of gravel along with juicy pears. The bright acidity on this unoaked Chardonnay finishes beautifully. A little bit of heat on the back-end, but it diminishes quickly when the long finish takes over. It's not particularly complex, but for the price tag you can't go wrong!!
Body: light to medium
Approx. Cost: $10
Food Pairing: pasta with pesto; roasted chicken

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2009 Earthquake Cabernet Sauvignon

Powerful name forecasts powerful flavors--and that it did. This Lodi Cabernet by Michael-David Vineyards had nice aromas. We found them to resemble chocolate covered raspberries (if they make them!). It's rich aromas led into rich flavors, as well. This wine is earthy, rustic, and full of character. Dark ripe fruit and chocolate dominate the palate. It drinks more like a zinfandel than a cab, but no one is complaining. We found it to be a crowd favorite. Mouthfeel was smooth and full, flavors were complex, and finish was long. We felt the $28 price tag was justified, as it drank more like a $40-$45 bottle. If it is out of your price range, we definitely recommend a try for a special occasion!


Body: Full
Approx. Cost: $28
Food Pairing: Grilled lamb chops

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2008 CalNaturale Cabernet Sauvignon

Great aromas filled the glass--ripe black cherries with some chocolate overtones. There was a nice pleasant floral note, too. The nose on this wine is intriguing!

We tasted that same chocolatey ripe fruit that we smelled, and even a dusty basement and green pepper layer that lent to the wine's complexity. We felt there could be more depth of flavor, though it does well for a <$15 wine. Aside from this, it is a juicy delicious California cab that would crowd-please for sure!

We were surprised by this wine, being in a box and all. Winemakers have been exploring green alternatives to conventional methods for years. New leaps and bounds have been made with eco-friendly packaging, sustainable production, and organic growing techniques over the past couple of years, making for some notably quality wines. This Cabernet is a prime example of this. CalNaturale has succeeded in producing a quality wine along with the challenges of organic production and alternative packaging. Kudos to them! They've got our vote!

Body: Medium to Full
Approx. Cost: 500ml-$7 | 1L-$11 (750mL equiv - $8.25)
Food Pairing: Grilled steak, Cheese platter with cured meats

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2010 Primal Roots Red Blend

Primal roots indeed! Earthy aromas of mushrooms and forest floor are accompanied by ripe blackberries. The nose on this wine is huge! We tasted coffee, black cherries, caramel, along with the same earthiness that we smelled.

It's not very complex, fairly simple, yet pretty tasty. The mouthfeel is well-rounded and full. Alcohol is a little forward,which is a little distracting to the wine's flavors. Overall a good wine! We'd recommend it! Despite its lack of complexity, it's full of interesting aromas and flavors.

Body: Full
Approx. Cost: $11
Food Pairing: Grilled sausage, veal chop

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2009 Kendall Jackson Chardonnay Vintner's Reserve

Nice color in the glass, almost a grassy straw color. The aromas were a little faint, but smelled of wet rock and cedar.

Its acidity is good, great even. It shows forward oak, and a really great mineral flavor. It lacks any fruit that would balance the wine better. It is smooth, yet crisp--excellent mouthfeel. However, there's an overwhelming fiery alcohol that engulfs your mouth before and after swallowing. If you can get by this, it's not a bad oaked Chardonnay. For the price, you aren't taking any risks--give it a whirl.
Body: Medium
Approx. Cost: $10
Food Pairing: Roasted chicken, potato leek soup!

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2007 Castle Rock Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa)

We all enjoyed this Napa cab quite a bit! Castle Rock gives us a SOLID wine, sure to please most (as it did). It displayed some nice fruits and really nice tannin structure! Slight oak completed the balance on the finish. This is GOOD SOLID red, especially to cab sauvignon drinkers. At only about $12, it's a steal and excellent QPR!

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2006 Cosentino 'The Zin'

Definite crowd pleaser! We've tried this wine on numerous occasions, and it has been a hit each time. Dark, full bodied, and delicious!! The Zin displays some really nice juicy (almost jammy) ripe blackberries, creamy smoothness, delicate tannins, and long finish. Layers of complexity keep you going back for more. Don't be alarmed by its alcohol content (15.1%) either, as its balance is unreal for such a high level! This zinfandel would go excellent with bbq chicken, beef, or just as well without food! Even at about $20, it's an excellent QPR! We don't give out many 5/5's, but this deserves it.

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