4 Cali Cabs Under 50 Bucks - Blind Tasting

[oostexan]

Had a group over tonight and served up a series of 4 California Cabernets. Tasted all of the wines blind after giving them two hours of air. I am searching for my sub 50 dollar house Cabernet for the year, so I used this as an occassion to have a party. The tally resulted in the following rankings:

1. 2004 Provenance Rutherford Cabernet - fruit forward, bright ruby and light sweet cherries, a hint of chocolate on the finish. Just ordered a case as this was my favorite wine as well as the consistent winner by the group. Retails for 40.

2. 2002 Flora Springs Napa Cabernet - Plenty of TN's on this site for this wine. Finally, this wine was dethroned as I have tasted it against numberous wines and it has always won. Great wine. Drinking well right now and continues to evolve. Retails for 30.

3. 2004 Parsonage Village Estate Cabernet - Dark fruit, some spice, tobacco. Carmel Valley Cabernet that I was shocked did not show better. I think this wine just needs a couple years of bottle time. The nose just nevered opened up, even after 3 hours. Retails for 45.

4. 2004 Ladera Napa Cabernet - Just never opened up and got going. Good dark fruit, dark cherry, but not much on the back palate or much finish. Good concentration, but probably needs bottle time. Retails for 35.

Overall, a great time was had by all. We opened a couple JC Cellars Late Harvest Viogniers to go with cheesecake for dessert. A very, very nice bottle that has come along nicely with a year or two in the cellar.

Mark

[winoweenie]

IMHO youse guys got it rite. The Provenance is a super bottling for the buck but I, as have meeny times afore said, like the Flora also. WW