12.07.2012

Sips: A classic California cabernet sauvignon, to drink and gift


Beyond Bordeaux, California became synonymous long ago with great cabernet sauvignon. That said, it’s also true that memorable California cabs don’t come inexpensively -- unlike Bordeaux, where it’s still possible to find notable cabernet and merlot blends for $20 or under.

And yet price alone is no guarantee that a California wine (or one from anywhere else) will be interesting, as I discovered the other night when I opened a $60 cabernet wine from a celebrated Napa Valley winery and found it one dimensional. The opulent California fruit was there but not much else.

Fortunately, that wasn't the case with Hanna Winery's 2009 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. This superb $39 wine made from 100 percent cabernet has beautiful complexity and balance with a delicious blackberry and black cherry core and undertones of fennel seed and even fresh fennel, giving it a nice licorice note. Ripe tannins round out the picture in a wine that, despite its youth, is drinking very well now. It's a natural for steak and lamb, and as a serious wine for a holiday gift that won't completely break the bank. Available on Hanna's website and elsewhere. Received as a press sample.

3 comments:

  1. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself or did you

    hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply as I'm looking to construct my own blog and

    would like to find out where u got this from. cheers
    Check out my web page - farfels

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this web site.

    Thanks , I will try and check back more often. How frequently you update your site?
    Feel free to visit my web blog http://www.thespainforum.com/f340/

    ReplyDelete
  3. The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my apple ipad and tested to

    see if it can survive a thirty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation.
    My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is completely off
    topic but I

    had to share it with someone!
    Here is my web-site http://Www.fishingspain.net/

    ReplyDelete