1996 McGuigans Personal Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

[winecollector]

I bought two of these babies for about $16 each upon release and tucked them away. I decided to open one up last night with friends.... and whoa baby! I have never smelled a Cabernet with so much fruit before! Now, of course there was not as much "oak" in here that I would have normally preferred, but I found the wine to be one of the best balanced wines I have tried in a long time. The wine was heavily concentrated with lots of sediment, so you may want to decant. The only way I can describe what it taste like though, is that it was like taking the best of several wines, a cab, a zin, a shiraz, and a chianti.... put it all into one glass, and presto! It was a huge hit at the tail end of a tasting, with breaded and deep fried pepper rings, zucchini, fire roasted tomatoes, cheeses, and bread with oil.

I also have a bottle of their 96' Personal Reserve Shiraz as well. I can't wait to try that one after having this!

<Now wishing I purchased 2 cases instead of 2 bottles>

[Innkeeper]

See, a little oak goes a long way in a red, and of course no way in a white.