This fruity, friendly cab offers delicious ripe flavors of black fruit that are perfectly balanced. The black cherries, plums, and currant flavors are highlighted with spice and nuances of herbs. As drinkable on its own as it is with food, this big red is delicious from beginning to end. This is another great wine from the Hope Family portfolio, so buy some to drink now, and stash some in the cellar for a few years. I taste many cabernet samples year-round and found this one much better than others from California at this price range. It’s available at the Hope Family tasting room just off Hwy. 46 West in Paso for $16 retail. You can also get it at Trader Joe’s for only $11.99, but it won’t last long.
This article appears in Feb 14-21, 2013.