In addition to being a blog about my attempts to make wine, I will be writing the occasional review for a bottle or two that I find worth drinking. Rest a assured that if I write about someone else's wine, it is probably a delicious value at any price, at least as far as I'm able to tell with my limited knowledge. What this means is I'm on the lookout for really great wines at any price point, and the following Cabernet is no exception. Enjoy!
We tried this wine over at the Arizona Inn. It is currently their banquet house red. The bartender said they have been getting plenty of good feedback from their guests which is always a good sign. This review is for the '07. Don't forget that vintage means everything, at any price point.
The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon by Red Diamond (Washington State) is an absolutely delicious example of this varietal, and while exhibiting all of the characteristics of a "crowd pleaser" manages to remain true to its roots, so to speak, by retaining a core that is distinctively Cabernet and not something else. On the nose the wine explodes with cherries and cassis wrapped around a smokey, tobacco/caramel/incense note that hints at things to come. In the mouth the wine is smooth with integrated, juicy tannins and nice acidity. Sweet flavors of red currant and dark cherries mingle with a perfect application of toasted oak that imparts an amazing almond roca note that isn't the slightest bit fake. I was expecting this wine to devolve into something less wonderful as it sat in my glass, but it never did. It is really well made and when I discovered that it retails for around nine dollars I was shocked. A truly fine effort. I'm very curious to try their Shiraz and Merlot. At this rate Red Diamond might take the place of McManis as my number one best value winery in America. Seriously good stuff.
You can find it at Trader Joe's. Yvonne, you listening?
My score, for what it's worth: 85 points on the Parker scale with another two brownie points for being so delicious.
Cheers!
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