retail cost: $15 – $25

Domaine Filliatreau La Grande Vignolle Saumur-Champigny Rouge 2015

96
Domaine Filliatreau
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: La Grande Vignolle
Retail Price: $22.99

Tasting Notes: The Cabernet Franc for this fabulous wine is grown on the La Grande Vignolle vineyard which is composed of a unique type of limestone called tufa-stone and highly calcareous subsoils. The mineral nuances are evident in the wine from beginning to end. Along with this, there is a lush bouquet of lilac, raspberry, and cherry. There are layers of concentrated red fruit, clove, and licorice flavors with a hint of “cigar-box” leading to a long finish with firm tannins. To enjoy now, decant for at least 2 hours. For optimum enjoyment, lay this one away for 5-7 years. Your patience will be well-rewarded!
Domaine Filliatreau La Grande Vignolle Saumur-Champigny Rouge 2015

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Domaine Filliatreau “Linnea” Saumur Blanc 2016

96
Domaine Filliatreau
Fanciful Name: Linnea
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2016
Country of Origin: France
Retail Price: $16.99

Tasting Notes: 100% chenin blanc from 25-plus-year-old vines grown on the Filliatreau Family Estate. Fermented and aged in stainless steel with a short maceration on the skins. A bouquet of melon, pear, peach and a wisp of anise leads to those flavors on the palate with crisp, lively acidity and a hint of minerality on the lengthy finish. The wine is totally dry, though really shows lovely ripe fruit. It’s a great example of Loire chenin blanc that will complement seafood, cream sauces and milder Oriental cuisine. It’s also a perfect aperitif!
Domaine Filliatreau “Linnea” Saumur Blanc 2016

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Annabella Cabernet 2014

85
Annabella
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: California
Retail Price: $25.49

Tasting Notes: From the Pozzan family of wines, and named in honor of his grandmother. This is a small-lot blend of 96% cab and 4% merlot, aged 12 months in French oak. Easy drinking with beautiful fruit notes.
Annabella Cabernet 2014

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Katherine Goldschmidt Crazy Creek Cabernet 2015

86
Katherine Goldschmidt
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Crazy Creek
Retail Price: $24.99

Tasting Notes: The “value” Cab from their portfolio. This father/daughter offering is the perfect introduction to a site- specific bottling from Sonoma. Hand harvested/low-yield fruit is rich in berry fruit, with subtle tobacco and mocha notes. A complex 18-month oak aging program adds to a smooth, silky finish.
Katherine Goldschmidt Crazy Creek Cabernet 2015

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J.Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet 2015

88
J.Lohr
Fanciful Name: Seven Oaks
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: California
Retail Price: $23.49

Tasting Notes: Almost a little brother to the Hilltop Cab from Lohr, with subtle differences in style. Twelve months in American oak, with 75% Cab, and smaller percentages of petite sirah, petite verdot, merlot, and cab franc. An elegant fruit-driven style with cherry, cassis and roasted hazelnuts. A “house” cab for many of us.
J.Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet 2015

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Ramsay 2015

89
Ramsay
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: California
Retail Price: $15.95

Tasting Notes: Rich and dark, with a touch of petite sirah, this full-bodied North Coast Cab hangs on with a long, lush finish. Very intense, and a big bang for your buck. It would love some lamb or aged cheddar.
Ramsay 2015

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Big Six Bourbon Barrel Cabernet 2015

90
Big Six
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: California
Retail Price: $16

Tasting Notes: A cabernet with blackberry notes and lengthy tannins with the added benefit of three months of bourbon-barrel aging that deliver the pleasant vanilla and caramel flavors to this wine.
Big Six Bourbon Barrel Cabernet 2015

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Press Run Cabernet 2014

90
Press Run
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: California
Retail Price: $17

Tasting Notes: 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.
Press Run Cabernet 2014

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No Curfew Cabernet 2015

90
No Curfew
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: California
Retail Price: $17

Tasting Notes: A powerhouse cabernet that is savory and fruit-focused. Approachable, youthful, yet integrated flavors of black cherry, plumb and blueberries work very well with this cabernet.
No Curfew Cabernet 2015

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Barra Cabernet 2014

90
Barra
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: California
Retail Price: $19.99

Tasting Notes: A certified 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!
Barra Cabernet 2014

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Camp Cabernet 2016

90
Camp
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2016
Country of Origin: California
Retail Price: $18.99

Tasting Notes: 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.
Camp Cabernet 2016

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Cruz Alta Cabernet Grand Reserve 2013

90
Cruz Alta
Fanciful Name: Grand Reserve
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: Argentina
Retail Price: $17

Tasting Notes: A dark fruit-forward cabernet with nice notes of black pepper and silky texture. Full bodied with richness from start to finish that is balanced out by subtle oak notes.
Cruz Alta Cabernet Grand Reserve 2013

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