Cal Cabs Thrashed In Decanter!

[Thomas]

Perhaps the Brits subscribe to the Bordelais belief that Cabernet Sauvignon is a grape looking for a blend. I mean, they used to own Bordeaux, so they likely feel proprietary about it. They also likely do not understand a forward variety like Cabernet when on its own.

I believe Cabernet Sauvignon often needs toning down (blending). Twenty -- or is it thirty now -- years ago California Cabernets were interesting for their difference and for their spunk. But as I aged, not the wines, I began to discover the joys of blending the powerful variety to round it out and give it finesse. Now, I truly find many Cabernets -- from wherever -- overwhelming, and I haven't even talked price.

For those of us who drink wine every day, sometimes more than once a day, not just California Cabernets but most California variteals seem expensive, unless they are the old "fighting varietals"; then they often seem weakly demonstrative of their variety.