Cal Cab

Bang for the buck is always good. The Alexander Valley Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon is yummy bang for the buck at $19.99. It has all the characteristics most people look for in a high quality Cab. Nice, rich dark fruit, with some tasty spice notes and a smooth mouthfeel, what's not to love. Delicious as a summer barbque red, this will enhance the thickest of steaks, the coolest of cole slaws and the mountain of potato salads served all summer long. And it's only $19.99. Don't feel like a full bottle? It is also available in half bottles for $10.99 a bottle, along with its brother and sister a Merlot and a Chardonnay in the halves too.

Shhhhhh again

One of my favorite sleeper wines of California is the Ferrari-Carano Sienna. The 2007 is in the store, but not for long, at $29.99 a bottle. I tasted a bottle last night with some steak tips. The wine was a PERFECT match. I called the wholesaler first thing this morning and just like a Sam Jones bank shot, I was too late. You have to be over 50 to know the provenance of that reference. Anyway, Sienna is a Sangiovese blend from California. Think of a super-Tuscan around $100 a bottle for the same quality. This is a wine, if you can't get some from me, you really should try and find some. It's that wonderful with a steak on the grill.

Oh and Jeff, I have put a couple of bottles away for you for your bride. Ciao.

where the white wine at?

I have been on a dissappointing streak of tasting not very good white wines the last few weeks. I don't know why, but wine tasting is streakier than a college student in 1974. NO< don't go there.

Battle of the Cabs.

I have two Cabernet Sauvignon in the store that are steals for $14.99 per bottle. Cannonball is a California Cabernet of dubious parentage. Well, not really, but the appelation, where the grapes are grown in California, is not mentioned. It is an easy drinking tasty Cab the pleases a bunch of people.

Another bunch of people love the Michael Pozzan Knight's Valley Cab. Knight's Valley is above Napa and is home to some pretty special and pretty expensive Cabernets. How he makes this one and only gets $14.99 a bottle is amazing. Another crowd pleaser, food is not need to make these wines shine, but any food, other than seafood will work fine.