RETAILER WINE SELECTIONS — CABERNET SAUVIGNON
( 91 ) Victor Hugo Cabernet 2014 ( California ). Keeping it simple and letting his estate fruit speak is what Vic Roberts does best . From Templeton Gap , Paso Robles . Classic 88 / 12 blend of cab and merlot , aged 24 months in French and Hungarian oak . Very approachable , with great structure . Plum , cherries , cinnamon and dark chocolate notes . Roughly 500 cases produced . ($ 29.99 )
( 91 ) 19 Crimes Cabernet 2016 ( Australia ). Fun and easy drinking . Deep and dark red , with aromas of black cherry , ripe plum and vanilla . Easy fruity fi nish makes this a crowd-pleaser . ($ 10 )
( 91 ) Pietro Marini Cabernet 2014 ( Argentina ). A wonderfully balanced cabernet from Salta that is just fruit-forward enough to please the newworld drinker , and reserved enough to attract the old-world drinker . Lovely red fruits abound from this stellar value cabernet . ($ 14.99 )
( 91 ) Columbia Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 ( Washington ). From one of Washington ’ s pioneering wineries . Very enjoyable , with supple dark fruit , and lush style tannins . This well-balanced cabernet is an excellent value at this price / performance . ($ 16 )
( 91 ) Terre More Cabernet 2014 ( Italy ). From the home of Super Tuscans , this cabernet exemplifi es balance and harmony in a red wine . Good black and red fruit , with a long lingering fi nish . Enjoy it with a wide range of dishes . ($ 18 )
( 91 ) Los Boldos Cabernet Gran Reserva 2015 ( Agentina ). A powerful and rich wine , with notes of spice and earthy garigue to bold raspberry and blackberry fl avors . Dark chocolate and oak notes accompany the fruit on the fi nish . ($ 19 )
( 91 ) Atrevida Cabernet 2015 ( Argentina ). This cabernet has a powerful nose , with notes of raspberries and even a touch of mint . Savory acidity provides freshness and subtle oak treatment for balance . The wine is medium-bodied and rich in complexities on the mid-palate and fi nish . ($ 17 )
( 91 ) Murray Cabernet 2014 ( Washington ). The addition of malbec and merlot to this Red Mountain cabernet adds character , complexity and depth without losing the identity of cabernet sauvignon . Hightower cellars outdid themselves with their Murray label Cabernet . ($ 21.99 )
( 91 ) Cross Springs Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 ( California ). This Cabernet is full bodied , textured and concentrated , brimming with black cherry , wild berry , black licorice , sage and currant fl avors . The fi nish is supple and smooth , with just enough spice and tannins . ($ 17 )
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014 CALIFORNIA
( 90 ) Gnarly Head Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 ( California ). Bold , red fruit aromas and some hints of vanilla are present on the nose . Boasting supple cherry with hints of leather , tobacco and spice on the palate , this 2014 cabernet is certainly a great value for it ’ s modest price range . ($ 12 )
( 90 ) Cruz Alta Cabernet Grand Reserve 2013 ( Agentina ). A dark fruit-forward cabernet with nice notes of black pepper and silky texture . Full bodied with richness from start to fi nish that is balanced out by subtle oak notes . ($ 17 )
( 90 ) Los Boldos Cabernet Tradition 2016 ( Agentina ). Intense wine with bold dark cherry and raspberry notes . The nose and the palate are similar and the fruit-forward notes blend nicely . This is a spice-laden full-bodied wine with rustic tannins . ($ 14 )
( 90 ) CanvasBack Cabernet 2014 ( Washington ). Starting from scratch in 2013 , this Duckhorn offering from Washington ’ s famed Red
Mt . appellation keeps getting better and better . Mountain fruit from 13 other select parcels adds to the complexity . Classic Bordeaux-style blend is very harmonious and structured . 18 months in oak helps to soften the very concentrated fruit . Wild red and black fruit notes dominate , with a fi nish like a caramel macchiato . ($ 49.99 )
( 90 ) Santa Julia Reserva 2015 ( Agentina ). From the Zuccardi family , this wine demonstrates the reason that they are held in such high esteem . The fi rm tannins act as a balance with the lovely dark fruit . The fi nish is long and satisfying . ($ 13 )
( 90 ) Camp Cabernet 2016 ( California ). Sourced from mainly organic vineyards in Sonoma County , Camp Cabernet is a hidden gem in the under- $ 20 California cabernet world . A touch of merlot and malbec round out this fruit-forward-yet-restrained cabernet . The aging in neutral oak lets the fruit sing — and it shows . ($ 18.99 )
( 90 ) Barra Cabernet 2014 ( California ). A certifi ed organic winery in Mendocino County , Barra makes plenty of wonderful wines and their cabernet is no exception . Dark , chocolate-covered cherries abound as this fruit-forward , crowd-pleasing cabernet leaps from the glass with fruit , fruit and more fruit ! This is a cabernet-drinker ’ s cabernet — for under $ 20 . ($ 19.99 )
( 90 ) No Curfew Cabernet 2015 ( California ). A powerhouse cabernet that is savory and fruit-focused . Approachable , youthful , yet integrated fl avors of black cherry , plumb and blueberries work very well with this cabernet . ($ 17 )
( 90 ) Textbook 2013 ( California ). Sourced from three sites in Napa ; French Oak gives this wine a superb polished palate . Red and black berries persist through well-integrated tannins on to the fi nish . Supple and smooth with a hint of spice . ($ 29.95 )
( 90 ) Press Run Cabernet 2014 ( California ). Blackberry and blueberry marry well on the nose and palate along with griping texture to create a balanced powerful cabernet . Not overly oaked , it provides good structure and balance to this fruit-forward Sonoma wine . ($ 17 ) •
46 StateWays | www . stateways . com | September / October 2017